Super Bowl Overtime Rules Explained: History, Strategy, & Overtime Wagers

By Kody Malstrom | Apr 13, 2026, 10:31am

What happens when the biggest sporting event of the year ends regulation in a tie?

The Super Bowl can go into overtime, like any other NFL game, but there are no ties at the end of the first overtime period, as someone has to be crowned NFL champion.

Read more about the history of Super Bowl overtime games and changes to NFL postseason overtime rules that could apply when Super Bowl 60 between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots kicks off 6:30 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Super Bowl 60 Overtime Rules

After Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs defeated Josh Allen and the Bills, 42-36, in OT in the 2022 AFC Divisional Round without the Bills getting a chance to possess the ball, the NFL postseason rules shifted to allow both teams to have a possession no matter what.

That shift has since been implemented in the regular season as well. Here are the NFL OT rules now:

The winner of a coin toss can choose to receive, or kick, to gain a potential strategic advantage by possessing the ball second.
The game can end on a safety, but a TD or FG on the opening drive will result in a kickoff to the other team.
If the game is tied after the next possession, then the next score wins. If the opening drive results in no points, then the next score wins.
In the postseason, the extra period is 15 minutes instead of 10 minutes. Should the 15-minute period end in a tie, there would be a 2-minute break before the next quarter resumes.

Super Bowl Overtime History

Only two of the first 59 Super Bowls have gone to overtime, and both came in the past decade.

In 2017, the Patriots came back from an historic 28-3 deficit to tie the Falcons, 28-28. They won the opening coin toss and scored a TD on their first drive, ending the game with a 34-28 win, because this was before the OT rules change allowed both teams to possess the ball.

In 2024, the Chiefs and 49ers ended regulation tied, 19-19, and both had a chance to possess the ball under the new rules. San Francisco won the coin toss and received, but stalled in the red zone and settled for a FG. The Chiefs drove down the field on their first possession and scored a winning TD for a 25-22 victory.

Overtime Strategy

The 49ers losing in OT despite winning the coin toss sparked a debate about whether it’s best to kickoff first, so you know exactly how many points you need to tie or win the game.

Additionally, kicking off first gives you a chance to potentially earn a third possession in a tied game, needing just a FG to win.

The counterpoint to that strategy is that kicking off could put more pressure on your defense initially, and more pressure on your offense if the opponent scores a TD. If your opponent goes up 7 points on their first possession, their defense can play a prevent style knowing you need a TD to extend the game.

Super Bowl Overtime Bets

There is a market for betting on Super Bowl 60 going into overtime, with odds for a Yes or No proposition. Consensus odds are around -2000 for the game to not go into OT, and around +1000 for the game to go into OT.

Should the game go into OT, a new round of live betting opportunities would be made available at sportsbooks.

Kody Malstrom

Kody is a professional sports bettor and sports betting journalist with eight years of experience in the industry. He covers a wide range of sports, including NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NCAAB, NHL, MLB, and UFC. What started as a side gig has turned into a full time job, spending a majority of his time staring at odds screens and market movement. When away from the computer, Kody enjoys spending his time outdoors relaxing at the beach or golfing with friends.