The Kansas City Chiefs have won the coin toss for Super Bowl LIX and opted to defer.
As the visiting team, the Chiefs had the honor of calling the coin toss and chose tails, emerging victorious. They decided to defer possession to the second half, which means the Eagles will kick off to start the game, and in return, they’ll receive the ball after halftime.
In the last two Super Bowls, the Chiefs won the coin toss and ultimately claimed the championship. In contrast, the previous year, the San Francisco 49ers called tails, but the coin landed heads. However, the year before that, the Chiefs called tails—and got it right.
With star quarterback Patrick Mahomes leading the team, the Chiefs’ decision to defer has given them an early chance to set the tone of the game.
Kansas City has thrived on explosive plays, with Mahomes’ ability to stretch the field. If the Chiefs are able to capitalize on their coin toss win, it would give them an early advantage and force Philadelphia to make adjustments. The Eagles, however, have a potent offense of their own, led by Jalen Hurts, so any early momentum will be important.
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The Super Bowl kicks off with one of the most recognized and time-honored traditions in sports: the coin toss. Though it might seem like a small and routine part of the game, this moment has grown into its own spectacle.
It’s no longer just a formality—it’s an event, with fans eagerly watching as teams’ fates are decided with a flip of a coin. Over the years, it’s even become a popular prop bet, heightening the anticipation leading into the game.
Despite all the attention it receives, the toss itself doesn’t give either team an advantage. It’s a 50-50 shot, and whether the call is heads or tails, it doesn’t influence the game’s outcome.
In keeping with current NFL rules, the captains of both teams meet at midfield before the game to decide who will receive the ball first. The visiting team’s captain traditionally calls heads or tails while the referee flips the coin.
Over the years, there’s been a shift in strategy. While teams once almost always chose to receive after winning the toss, recent trends show a preference for deferring possession until the second half, giving teams the opportunity to control the game after the break.
Historically, the team that wins the toss has gone on to win the game 26 times, though it’s been on the losing side 32 times. Of the 26 teams that won both the toss and the game, 17 were the favorites according to betting odds, aligning with the general Super Bowl trend that favorites tend to win about 66% of the time.
When it comes to heads vs. tails, there’s no clear advantage—each side has resulted in 13 wins. The Cowboys hold the record for the most coin toss victories, with six, followed by the 49ers with five, and the Dolphins and Rams with four each.
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