Super Bowl (roman literals)

The NFL brands each Super Bowl with Roman numerals: Super Bowl LIII, Super Bowl LIV, and so on. Many writers instead use Arabic numerals (Super Bowl 53), mix ordinals awkwardly (Super Bowl 53rd), or shorten it to SB53 in places that need formal style. Below are clear rules, quick rewrites you can copy, and practical examples for work, school, and casual writing.

Quick answer

Use Roman numerals after "Super Bowl": for example, "Super Bowl LIII." If you need a reader-friendly spoken form, write "the 53rd Super Bowl." Avoid "Super Bowl 53," "Super Bowl 53rd," and mixing styles in the same document.

Standard: Super Bowl + space + Roman numeral (no hyphen).
Possessive: "Super Bowl LIII's halftime show" or recast as "the halftime show at Super Bowl LIII."
Exception: the NFL branded Super Bowl 50 as "Super Bowl 50" (rare). Follow your house style when required.

Core explanation: why Roman numerals and the basic rules

The Roman numerals are part of the event's branding and tradition. Treat the numeral as part of the official name, not an inline number to be converted to Arabic in most public-facing copy.

Format: capitalize "Super Bowl," add one space, then the Roman numeral (e.g., "Super Bowl LIII").
Ordinals for speech: when clarity matters, use "the 53rd Super Bowl." That reads better aloud than "Super Bowl 53."
Possessives: add 's to the full name ("Super Bowl LIII's MVP") or recast ("the MVP of Super Bowl LIII").
Punctuation and spacing: single space between "Super Bowl" and the numeral; no hyphenation or extra punctuation.
Roman-numeral basics: I=1, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100. 53 = L (50) + III (3) → LIII.

Real usage: work, school, and casual examples

Context matters. Use the Roman form for headlines, press copy, and formal writing. Use the ordinal form for clarity in essays or spoken directions. Reserve abbreviations for internal notes.

Work headline: Super Bowl LIII Generates Record Ad Rates.
Work internal note: SB53 - confirm sponsorship deliverables by Friday. (OK for internal use only.)
School essay: The 53rd Super Bowl highlighted shifts in halftime production.
Casual text: Heading to the Super Bowl party for LIII - who's bringing chips? (Casual shorthand is fine among friends.)

Rewrite help: quick fixes you can paste

When you spot "Super Bowl 53" or "Super Bowl 53rd," choose one of these fixes depending on tone and audience.

Formal/public: Replace "Super Bowl 53" → "Super Bowl LIII."
Spoken/clarity: Replace "Super Bowl 53" → "the 53rd Super Bowl."
Possessive awkwardness: Replace "Super Bowl 53's halftime" → "the halftime show at Super Bowl LIII."

Three ready-made rewrites:

Original: "Super Bowl 53 ad slots sold out." →
Rewrite: "Super Bowl LIII ad slots sold out."
Original: "Is Super Bowl 53 on Sunday?" →
Rewrite: "Is the 53rd Super Bowl on Sunday?"
Original: "Super Bowl 53's halftime was epic." →
Rewrite: "The halftime show at Super Bowl LIII was epic."

Wrong vs right examples you can copy

See the correction immediately; these pairs cover headline, sentence, and casual forms.

Wrong: Super Bowl 53 drew 100 million viewers.
Right: Super Bowl LIII drew 100 million viewers.
Wrong: Did you watch Super Bowl 53?
Right: Did you watch the 53rd Super Bowl?
Wrong: Super Bowl 53rd MVP was named after the game.
Right: The 53rd Super Bowl's MVP was named after the game. (Better: "The MVP of Super Bowl LIII was named after the game.")
Wrong: SB53 highlights are on the site.
Right: Highlights from Super Bowl LIII are on the site. (SB53 is fine for notes, not headlines.)
Wrong: Super Bowl53 halftime performance wowed fans.
Right: The halftime performance at Super Bowl LIII wowed fans.
Wrong: Super Bowl 50 and Super Bowl LIII were both memorable.
Right: Super Bowl 50 (branded that way) and Super Bowl LIII were both memorable. (Note the 50 exception.)

A simple memory trick

Picture the Roman numeral as part of a nameplate: "Super Bowl" | "LIII." If the second part looks like a conventional number, you're probably using the wrong style. When in doubt, ask whether an official headline would use Roman numerals - that's your cue to use them too.

Think "name + Roman numeral," not "name + number."
For spoken clarity, swap to an ordinal: "the 53rd Super Bowl."
Scan your document for mixed styles and fix them in bulk for consistency.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Fixing one numeral error often reveals others. Scan for related issues:

Mixing Arabic and Roman numerals in the same doc (bad for consistency).
Incorrect possessives: use 's or recast the phrase when it reads awkwardly.
Overusing abbreviations like "SB53" in external copy.
Spacing and hyphenation errors (e.g., "Super-Bowl LIII" or "Super BowlLIII").

FAQ

Should I write "Super Bowl 53" or "Super Bowl LIII"?

Prefer "Super Bowl LIII" to match the NFL's branding. If clarity for spoken readers is the priority, use "the 53rd Super Bowl." Avoid "Super Bowl 53" and "Super Bowl 53rd" in public-facing copy.

Is "SB53" acceptable?

Use "SB53" only for internal notes, spreadsheets, or quick messages. Don't use it in headlines, client-facing communications, or published copy.

How do I make the phrase possessive?

Either add 's-"Super Bowl LIII's halftime show"-or recast-"the halftime show at Super Bowl LIII." Choose whichever reads more naturally in context.

My style guide requires Arabic numerals. What should I do?

Follow your style guide for consistency. Note that public sports copy usually follows the NFL's Roman-numeral convention; if you must use Arabic numerals, apply that rule consistently and explain the choice when necessary.

How do I convert a number to Roman numerals quickly?

Use the basic values: I=1, V=5, X=10, L=50. Compose the number with largest values first: 53 = L (50) + III (3) → LIII. If you're unsure, use "the 53rd Super Bowl" until you confirm the correct numeral.

Need a quick check?

Copy one of the rewrites above into your headline or sentence. For a final pass, scan the document for mixed styles and fix all Super Bowl mentions at once. If you want a quick automated check, paste the sentence into the editor below.