{{Short description|Semifinal championship football game in the NFL}} {{About|the game played annually since the 1970 season|its predecessor|American Football League playoffs#Championship summary{{!}}AFL Championship Game}} {{Distinguish|AFC Champions League Elite}} {{pp|small=yes}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025}} {{NFL event | title = AFC Championship Game | logo = Afc championship logo.svg | caption = | founded = January 3, 1971 (1970 season) | trophy = Lamar Hunt Trophy | season2025 = Empower Field at Mile High<br />Denver, Colorado<br />January 25, 2026<br/>New England Patriots 10<br/>Denver Broncos 7 }}
The '''AFC Championship Game''' is the annual championship game of the American Football Conference (AFC) and one of the two semifinal playoff games of the National Football League (NFL), the largest professional American football league in the world. The game is played on the last Sunday in January by the two remaining playoff teams, following the AFC postseason's first two rounds. The AFC champion then advances to face the winner of the NFC Championship Game in the Super Bowl.
The game was established as part of the 1970 merger between the NFL and the American Football League (AFL), with the merged league realigning into two conferences. Since 1984,<ref name=WBZ/> each winner of the AFC Championship Game has also received the '''Lamar Hunt Trophy''', named after the founder of the AFL and founder and longtime owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Hunt.
==History== The first AFC Championship Game was played following the 1970 regular season after the merger between the NFL and the AFL. The game is considered the successor to the former AFL Championship, and its game results are listed with that of its predecessor in the annual ''NFL Record and Fact Book''.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://operations.nfl.com/updates/the-game/2023-nfl-record-and-fact-book/ | title=2023 NFL Record and Fact Book | publisher=National Football League | chapter=AFC Championship Game Results. Includes AFL Championship Games (1960-69) | page=498 | access-date=January 21, 2024}}</ref> Since the pre-merger NFL consisted of six more teams than the AFL (16 teams for the NFL and 10 for the AFL), a realignment was required as part of the merger to create two conferences with an equal number of teams: The NFL's Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers joined the ten former AFL teams to form the AFC; while the remaining 13 pre-merger NFL clubs formed the NFC.
Every current AFC team except the Houston Texans has played in an AFC Championship Game at least once, while the New York Jets and the Tennessee Titans have yet to host one. The Seattle Seahawks, who have been members in both the AFC and the NFC, hold the distinction of appearing in both conference title games, a loss in the AFC conference title game to the Los Angeles Raiders for Super Bowl XVIII and, in their first appearance in an NFC conference title game, a win over the Carolina Panthers for Super Bowl XL. The Pittsburgh Steelers have the most losses in the AFC Championship Game at 8 and have hosted the most at 11. The New England Patriots have won the most AFC Championships at 11, and played in a record eight straight AFC title games (2011–2018). The Patriots and Steelers are tied for most appearances, with 16 each. At least one of New England quarterback Tom Brady and Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played in every championship game between the 2003 and the 2018 seasons, except for the 2009 season. The Kansas City Chiefs have hosted the AFC Championship a record five consecutive times, between the 2018–2022 seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=KMBC 9 News |date=2022-01-24 |title=Chiefs to host record-setting fourth straight AFC Championship |url=https://www.kmbc.com/article/chiefs-home-field-advantage-afc-playoffs/38860037 |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=KMBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Palmer |first=Tod |date=2022-01-24 |title=Chiefs make history by hosting 4th straight AFC Championship Game |url=https://www.kshb.com/sports/chiefs-make-history-by-hosting-4th-straight-afc-championship-game |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=KSHB 41 Kansas City News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wawrow |first=John |date=2023-01-23 |title=Bengals return to AFC championship with 27-10 rout of Bills |url=https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-buffalo-bills-joe-burrow-cincinnati-bengals-nfl-7be431055cdd71bb3086ce22cca7a9ac |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerkhoff |first=Blair |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Five-timers club: This group has been here for Chiefs’ full run of AFC-title home games |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article271734482.html |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=Kansas City Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-22 |title=AFC Championship Game returns to Kansas City for record 5th straight year |url=https://www.kshb.com/sports/afc-championship-game-returns-to-kansas-city-for-record-5th-straight-year |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=KSHB 41 Kansas City News |language=en}}</ref>
The Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers are the only two AFC teams to appear in at least one AFC Championship game in every completed decade since 1970.
==Playoff structure== {{further|NFL playoffs}} thumb|The redesigned Lamar Hunt Trophy, awarded since 2010–11 season
The structure of the NFL playoffs has changed several times since 1970. At the end of each regular season, the top teams in the AFC qualify for the postseason, including all division champions (three division winners from the 1970–71 to 2001–02 seasons; four since the 2002–03 season) and a set number of "wild card" teams that possess the best win–loss records after the regular season yet fail to win their division (one wild card team from the 1970–71 to 1977–78 seasons; two wild cards from 1978–79 to 1989–90, and from 2002–03 to 2019–20; three from 1990–91 to 2001–02, and since 2020–21). The two teams remaining following the Wild Card round (first round) and the Divisional round (second round) play in the AFC Championship Game, with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl.
Initially, the site of the AFC Championship Game was determined on a rotating basis.<ref>Urena, I., ''Pro Football Schedules: A Complete Historical Guide from 1933 to the Present'' (Jefferson, NC & London: McFarland & Company, 2014), [https://books.google.com/books?id=OnMmAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA10 p. 10].</ref>{{rp|10}} Since the 1975–76 season, the site of the game has been based on playoff seeding based on the regular season won-loss record, with the highest surviving seed hosting the game. A wild card team can only host the game if both participants are wild cards; such an instance has yet to occur in the NFL.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Palmer |first1=Pete |last2=Pullis |first2=Ken |last3=Lahman |first3=Sean |last4=Maher |first4=Tod |last5=Silverman |first5=Matthew |last6=Gillette |first6=Gary |title=The ESPN pro football encyclopedia |year=2007 |publisher=Sterling Pub. Co |isbn=9781402752506 |page=1207 |edition=2nd}}</ref>
==Lamar Hunt Trophy== {{external media | float = right | width = 258px | image1 = [https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/the-lamar-hunt-trophy-stands-on-display-at-a-press-news-photo/56636001 The (former version of the) Lamar Hunt Trophy] on display at a press conference at the Westin Hotel in Denver, Colorado. Getty Images. January 20, 2006. }}
Beginning with the 1984–85 NFL playoffs,<ref name=WBZ>{{cite web|url=http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/01/18/patriots-blog-afc-championship-trophy-in-the-house/ | title=Patriots Blog: AFC Championship Trophy In The House | publisher=WBZ-TV | date=January 18, 2012| access-date=August 16, 2014 | quote=The Lamar Hunt Trophy, given to the winners of the AFC Championship since 1984}}</ref> the winner of the AFC Championship Game has received the Lamar Hunt Trophy, named after the founder of the AFL and founder and longtime owner of the Kansas City Chiefs. The original design by Don Weller consisted of a wooden base with a sculpted AFC logo in the front and a relief sculpture of various football players in the back, with raised silver frieze utilized.<ref>1990 NFL Pro Set Super Bowl XXV Silver Anniversary Box Set trading card XXV.2, Lamar Hunt Trophy</ref> The George Halas Trophy, awarded to the NFC Champion, used a similar design with a sculpted NFC logo.
For the 2010–11 NFL playoffs, the two conference trophies were redesigned by Tiffany & Co. at the request of the NFL in an attempt to make both awards more significant.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/3411365-418/trophy-halas-lombardi-nfl-silver.html | work=Chicago Sun-Times | title=NFC's Halas trophy has new look}}</ref> The trophies are now a new, silver design with the outline of a hollow football positioned on a small base to more closely resemble the Vince Lombardi Trophy, which is awarded to the winner of the Super Bowl.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/steelers/2011-01-25-nfl-replay-steelers_N.htm |work=USA Today | first=Jarrett | last=Bell | title=NFL Replay: Gritty Steelers aren't pretty, but they are Super | date=January 25, 2011}}</ref>
In recent years Conference championship rings are also awarded to members of the team who wins the AFC or NFC championship since they are the winners of the conference, even though they may not necessarily follow it up with a win in the Super Bowl.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/article/first-look-at-the-atlanta-falcons-nfc-championship-rings-53145915/ |title=First look at the Atlanta Falcons NFC Championship rings |publisher=247sports.com |access-date=February 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Brandin-Cooks-thanks-New-England-Patriots-for-AFC-Championship-ring-119084704/ |title=Brandin Cooks thanks Patriots for AFC Championship ring |publisher=247sports.com |access-date=February 5, 2019}}</ref>
==List of AFC Championship Games== {{See also|List of AFL and AFC champions}}
:''Numbers in parentheses in the winning team and losing team columns are AFC Championships won and lost by that team''. '''''Bold''' indicates team won Super Bowl that year''. ''Numbers in parentheses in the city and stadium column is the number of times that metropolitan area and stadium has hosted an AFC Championship, respectively.'' {{Sticky header}} {| class="wikitable sortable sticky-header" |- ! Season !! Playoffs !! Date !! Winning team !! Score !! Losing team !! Score !! Location !! Stadium |- |align=center| {{nfly|1970}} || align=center|1970–71 || January 3, 1971 || '''Baltimore Colts''' (1) ||27|| Oakland Raiders (1) ||17 ||Baltimore, Maryland<ref group="fn" name="Baltimore">Baltimore has hosted 2 total AFC Championship Games: 1 Colts home game and 1 Ravens home game.</ref> || Memorial Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197101030clt.htm|title=Championship - Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Colts - January 3rd, 1971|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1971}} || align=center|1971–72 || January 2, 1972 || Miami Dolphins (1) ||21|| Baltimore Colts (1) ||0 ||Miami, Florida<ref group="fn" name="Greater Miami">The Miami Orange Bowl was in Miami proper. Joe Robbie Stadium, now Hard Rock Stadium, opened in 1987 in an unincorporated area with a Miami address; the area was then incorporated as Miami Gardens in 2003.</ref> || Miami Orange Bowl<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197201020mia.htm|title=AFC Championship - Baltimore Colts at Miami Dolphins - January 2nd, 1972|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1972}} || align=center|1972–73 || December 31, 1972 || '''Miami Dolphins''' (2) ||21|| Pittsburgh Steelers (1) ||17 ||Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania || Three Rivers Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212310pit.htm|title=AFC Championship - Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers - December 31st, 1972|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1973}} || align=center|1973–74 || December 30, 1973 || '''Miami Dolphins''' (3) ||27|| Oakland Raiders (2) ||10|| Miami, Florida (2)<ref group="fn" name="Greater Miami"/> || Miami Orange Bowl (2)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312300mia.htm|title=AFC Championship - Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins - December 30th, 1973|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1974}} || align=center|1974–75 || December 29, 1974 || '''Pittsburgh Steelers''' (1) ||24|| Oakland Raiders (3) ||13 ||Oakland, California || Oakland Coliseum<ref group="fn" name="Oak Coliseum">The Oakland Coliseum was also known as Network Associates Coliseum.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197412290rai.htm|title=AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders - December 29th, 1974|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1975}} || align=center|1975–76 || January 4, 1976 || '''Pittsburgh Steelers''' (2) ||16|| Oakland Raiders (4) ||10 ||Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2) || Three Rivers Stadium (2)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197601040pit.htm|title=AFC Championship - Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 4th, 1976|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1976}} || align=center|1976–77 || December 26, 1976 || '''Oakland Raiders''' (1) ||24|| Pittsburgh Steelers (2) ||7 ||Oakland, California (2) || Oakland Coliseum (2)<ref group="fn" name="Oak Coliseum"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197612260rai.htm|title=AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders - December 26th, 1976|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1977}} || align=center|1977–78 || January 1, 1978 || Denver Broncos (1) ||20|| Oakland Raiders (5) ||17 ||Denver, Colorado || Mile High Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197801010den.htm|title=AFC Championship - Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos - January 1st, 1978|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1978}} || align=center|1978–79 || January 7, 1979 || '''Pittsburgh Steelers''' (3) ||34|| Houston Oilers (1) ||5 ||Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (3) || Three Rivers Stadium (3)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197901070pit.htm|title=AFC Championship - Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 7th, 1979|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1979}} || align=center|1979–80 || January 6, 1980 || '''Pittsburgh Steelers''' (4) ||27|| Houston Oilers (2) ||13 ||Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (4) || Three Rivers Stadium (4)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198001060pit.htm|title=AFC Championship - Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 6th, 1980|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1980}} || align=center|1980–81 || January 11, 1981 || '''Oakland Raiders''' (2) ||34|| San Diego Chargers (1) ||27 ||San Diego, California || Jack Murphy Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198101110sdg.htm|title=AFC Championship - Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers - January 11th, 1981|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1981}} || align=center|1981–82 || January 10, 1982 || Cincinnati Bengals (1) || 27 || San Diego Chargers (2) || 7 ||Cincinnati, Ohio || Riverfront Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198201100cin.htm|title=AFC Championship - San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals - January 10th, 1982|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1982}} || align=center|1982–83 || January 23, 1983 || Miami Dolphins (4) ||14|| New York Jets (1) ||0||Miami, Florida (3)<ref group="fn" name="Greater Miami"/> || Miami Orange Bowl (3)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198301230mia.htm|title=AFC Championship - New York Jets at Miami Dolphins - January 23rd, 1983|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1983}} || align=center|1983–84 || January 8, 1984 || '''Los Angeles Raiders''' (3) ||30|| Seattle Seahawks (1) ||14||Los Angeles, California || Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198401080rai.htm|title=AFC Championship - Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Raiders - January 8th, 1984|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1984}} || align=center|1984–85 || January 6, 1985 || Miami Dolphins (5) ||45|| Pittsburgh Steelers (3) ||28||Miami, Florida (4)<ref group="fn" name="Greater Miami"/> || Miami Orange Bowl (4)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198501060mia.htm|title=AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins - January 6th, 1985|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1985}} || align=center|1985–86 || January 12, 1986 || New England Patriots (1) ||31|| Miami Dolphins (1) ||14||Miami, Florida (5)<ref group="fn" name="Greater Miami"/> || Miami Orange Bowl (5)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198601120mia.htm|title=AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - January 12th, 1986|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1986}} || align=center|1986–87 || January 11, 1987 || Denver Broncos (2) ||23<ref group="fn" name="OT">Overtime</ref>|| Cleveland Browns (1) ||20||Cleveland, Ohio || Cleveland Municipal Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198701110cle.htm|title=AFC Championship - Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns - January 11th, 1987|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1987}} || align=center|1987–88 || January 17, 1988 || Denver Broncos (3) ||38|| Cleveland Browns (2) ||33||Denver, Colorado (2) || Mile High Stadium (2)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198801170den.htm|title=AFC Championship - Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos - January 17th, 1988|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1988}} || align=center|1988–89 || January 8, 1989 || Cincinnati Bengals (2) ||21|| Buffalo Bills (1) ||10||Cincinnati, Ohio (2) || Riverfront Stadium (2)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198901080cin.htm|title=AFC Championship - Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals - January 8th, 1989|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1989}} || align=center|1989–90 || January 14, 1990 || Denver Broncos (4) ||37|| Cleveland Browns (3) ||21||Denver, Colorado (3) || Mile High Stadium (3)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001140den.htm|title=AFC Championship - Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos - January 14th, 1990|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1990}} || align=center|1990–91 || January 20, 1991 || Buffalo Bills (1) ||51|| Los Angeles Raiders (6) ||3||Orchard Park, New York || Rich Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199101200buf.htm|title=AFC Championship - Los Angeles Raiders at Buffalo Bills - January 20th, 1991|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1991}} || align=center|1991–92 || January 12, 1992 || Buffalo Bills (2) ||10|| Denver Broncos (1) ||7||Orchard Park, New York (2) || Rich Stadium (2)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199201120buf.htm|title=AFC Championship - Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills - January 12th, 1992|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1992}} || align=center|1992–93 || January 17, 1993 || Buffalo Bills (3) ||29|| Miami Dolphins (2) ||10||Miami, Florida (6)<ref group="fn" name="Greater Miami"/> || Joe Robbie Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199301170mia.htm|title=AFC Championship - Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins - January 17th, 1993|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1993}} || align=center|1993–94 || January 23, 1994 || Buffalo Bills (4) ||30|| Kansas City Chiefs (1) ||13||Orchard Park, New York (3) || Rich Stadium (3)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199401230buf.htm|title=AFC Championship - Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills - January 23rd, 1994|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1994}} || align=center|1994–95 || January 15, 1995 || San Diego Chargers (1) ||17|| Pittsburgh Steelers (4) ||13||Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (5) || Three Rivers Stadium (5)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501150pit.htm|title=AFC Championship - San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 15th, 1995|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1995}} || align=center|1995–96|| January 14, 1996 || Pittsburgh Steelers (5) ||20|| Indianapolis Colts (2) ||16 ||Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (6) || Three Rivers Stadium (6)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football=reference.com/boxscores/199601140pit.htm|title=AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 14th, 1996|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1996}} || align=center|1996–97 || January 12, 1997 || New England Patriots (2) ||20|| Jacksonville Jaguars (1) ||6||Foxborough, Massachusetts || Foxboro Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199701120nwe.htm|title=AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots - January 12th, 1997|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1997}} || align=center|1997–98 || January 11, 1998 || '''Denver Broncos''' (5) ||24|| Pittsburgh Steelers (5) ||21||Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (7) || Three Rivers Stadium (7)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199801110pit.htm|title=AFC Championship - Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 11th, 1998|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1998}} || align=center|1998–99 || January 17, 1999 || '''Denver Broncos''' (6) ||23|| New York Jets (2) ||10||Denver, Colorado (4) || Mile High Stadium (4)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901170den.htm|title=AFC Championship - New York Jets at Denver Broncos - January 17th, 1999|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|1999}} || align=center|1999–00 || January 23, 2000 || Tennessee Titans (1) ||33|| Jacksonville Jaguars (2) ||14||Jacksonville, Florida || Alltel Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200001230jax.htm|title=AFC Championship - Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars - January 23rd, 2000|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2000}} || align=center|2000–01 || January 14, 2001 || '''Baltimore Ravens''' (1) ||16|| Oakland Raiders (7) ||3||Oakland, California (3) || Oakland Coliseum (3)<ref group="fn" name="Oak Coliseum"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200101140rai.htm|title=AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders - January 14th, 2001|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2001}} || align=center|2001–02 || January 27, 2002 || '''New England Patriots''' (3) ||24||Pittsburgh Steelers (6) ||17||Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (8) ||Heinz Field<ref group="fn" name="Acrisue Stadium">Acrisure Stadium was previously known as Heinz Field</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200201270pit.htm|title=AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 27th, 2002|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2002}} || align=center|2002–03 || January 19, 2003 || Oakland Raiders (4) ||41|| Tennessee Titans (3) ||24||Oakland, California (4) || Network Associates Coliseum (4)<ref group="fn" name="Oak Coliseum"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200301190rai.htm|title=AFC Championship - Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders - January 19th, 2003|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2003}} || align=center|2003–04 || January 18, 2004 || '''New England Patriots''' (4) ||24|| Indianapolis Colts (3) ||14||Foxborough, Massachusetts (2) || Gillette Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200401180nwe.htm|title=AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - January 18th, 2004|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2004}} || align=center|2004–05 || January 23, 2005 || '''New England Patriots''' (5) ||41|| Pittsburgh Steelers (7) ||27||Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (9) || Heinz Field (2)<ref name="Acrisue Stadium" group="fn" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200501230pit.htm|title=AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 23rd, 2005|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2005}} || align=center|2005–06 || January 22, 2006 || '''Pittsburgh Steelers''' (6) ||34|| Denver Broncos (2) ||17||Denver, Colorado (5) || Invesco Field at Mile High<ref group="fn" name="Empower">Empower Field at Mile High was also known as Invesco Field at Mile High, then Sports Authority Field at Mile High.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200601220den.htm|title=AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos - January 22nd, 2006|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2006}} || align=center|2006–07 || January 21, 2007 || '''Indianapolis Colts''' (2) ||38|| New England Patriots (1) ||34||Indianapolis, Indiana || RCA Dome<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200701210clt.htm|title=AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts - January 21st, 2007|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2007}} || align=center|2007–08 || January 20, 2008 || New England Patriots (6) ||21|| San Diego Chargers (3) ||12||Foxborough, Massachusetts (3) || Gillette Stadium (2)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200801200nwe.htm|title=AFC Championship - San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots - January 20th, 2008|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2008}} || align=center|2008–09 || January 18, 2009 || '''Pittsburgh Steelers''' (7) ||23|| Baltimore Ravens (1) ||14||Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (10) || Heinz Field (3)<ref name="Acrisue Stadium" group="fn" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200901180pit.htm|title=AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 18th, 2009|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2009}} || align=center|2009–10 || January 24, 2010 || Indianapolis Colts (3) ||30|| New York Jets (3)||17||Indianapolis, Indiana (2) || Lucas Oil Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201001240clt.htm|title=AFC Championship - New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts - January 24th, 2010|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2010}} || align=center|2010–11 || January 23, 2011 || Pittsburgh Steelers (8) ||24|| New York Jets (4) ||19||Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (11) || Heinz Field (4)<ref name="Acrisue Stadium" group="fn" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201101230pit.htm|title=AFC Championship - New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 23rd, 2011|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2011}} || align=center|2011–12 || January 22, 2012 || New England Patriots (7) ||23|| Baltimore Ravens (2) ||20||Foxborough, Massachusetts (4) || Gillette Stadium (3)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201201220nwe.htm|title=AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - January 22nd, 2012|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- |align=center| {{nfly|2012}} || align=center|2012–13 || January 20, 2013 || '''Baltimore Ravens''' (2) ||28|| New England Patriots (2) ||13||Foxborough, Massachusetts (5) || Gillette Stadium (4)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201301200nwe.htm|title=AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - January 20th, 2013|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2013}} || align=center|2013–14 || January 19, 2014 || Denver Broncos (7) ||26|| New England Patriots (3) ||16||Denver, Colorado (6) || Sports Authority Field at Mile High (2)<ref group="fn" name="Empower"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201401190den.htm|title=AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Denver Broncos - January 19th, 2014|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2014}} || align=center|2014–15 || January 18, 2015 || '''New England Patriots''' (8) ||45 || Indianapolis Colts (4) ||7||Foxborough, Massachusetts (6) || Gillette Stadium (5)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201501180nwe.htm|title=AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - January 18th, 2015|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2015}} || align=center|2015–16 || January 24, 2016 || '''Denver Broncos''' (8) || 20 || New England Patriots (4) || 18 ||Denver, Colorado (7) || Sports Authority Field at Mile High (3)<ref group="fn" name="Empower"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201601240den.htm|title=AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Denver Broncos - January 24th, 2016|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2016}} || align=center|2016–17 || January 22, 2017 || '''New England Patriots''' (9) || 36 || Pittsburgh Steelers (8) || 17 ||Foxborough, Massachusetts (7) || Gillette Stadium (6)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201701220nwe.htm|title=AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots - January 22nd, 2017|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2017}} || align=center|2017–18 || January 21, 2018 || New England Patriots (10) || 24 || Jacksonville Jaguars (3) || 20 ||Foxborough, Massachusetts (8) || Gillette Stadium (7)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201801210nwe.htm|title=AFC Championship - Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots - January 21st, 2018|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2018}} || align=center|2018–19 || January 20, 2019 || '''New England Patriots''' (11) || 37<ref group="fn" name="OT"/> || Kansas City Chiefs (2) || 31 ||Kansas City, Missouri || Arrowhead Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201901200kan.htm|title=AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs - January 20th, 2019|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2019}} || align=center|2019–20 || January 19, 2020 || '''Kansas City Chiefs''' (1) || 35 || Tennessee Titans (4) || 24 ||Kansas City, Missouri (2) || Arrowhead Stadium (2)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202001190kan.htm|title=AFC Championship - Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs - January 19th, 2020|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2020}} || align=center|2020–21 || January 24, 2021 || Kansas City Chiefs (2) || 38 || Buffalo Bills (2) || 24 ||Kansas City, Missouri (3) || Arrowhead Stadium (3)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101240kan.htm|title=AFC Championship - Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs - January 24th, 2021|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2021}} || align=center|2021–22 || January 30, 2022 || Cincinnati Bengals (3) || 27<ref group="fn" name="OT"/> || Kansas City Chiefs (3) || 24 ||Kansas City, Missouri (4) || Arrowhead Stadium (4)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202201300kan.htm|title=AFC Championship - Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs - January 30th, 2022|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2022}} || align=center|2022–23 || January 29, 2023 || '''Kansas City Chiefs''' (3)|| 23 || Cincinnati Bengals (1) || 20 ||Kansas City, Missouri (5) ||Arrowhead Stadium (5)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202301290kan.htm|title=AFC Championship - Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs - January 29th, 2023|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2023}} || align=center| 2023–24 || January 28, 2024 || '''Kansas City Chiefs''' (4) || 17 || Baltimore Ravens (3) || 10 ||Baltimore, Maryland (2)<ref group="fn" name="Baltimore"/> || M&T Bank Stadium<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202401280rav.htm|title=AFC Championship - Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens - January 28th, 2024|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-11-16}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2024}} || align=center| 2024–25 || January 26, 2025 || Kansas City Chiefs (5) || 32 || Buffalo Bills (3) || 29 || Kansas City, Missouri (6) ||Arrowhead Stadium (6)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202501260kan.htm|title=AFC Championship - Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs - January 26th, 2025|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-01-27}}</ref> |- | align=center| {{nfly|2025}} || align=center| 2025–26 || January 25, 2026 || New England Patriots (12) || 10 || Denver Broncos (3) || 7 || Denver, Colorado (8) || Empower Field at Mile High (4)<ref group="fn" name="Empower"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202601250den.htm|title=AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Denver Broncos - January 25th, 2026|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=January 26, 2026}}</ref> |}
==Appearances, 1970–present== In the sortable table below, teams are ordered first by number of appearances, then by number of wins, and finally by year of first appearance.
The Houston Texans, the last current AFC team to have never made an appearance, are omitted.<ref group="fn" name="Hou2002"/> {{row hover highlight}} {{sticky header}} {| class="wikitable sortable mw-datatable sticky-header-multi" style="text-align:center" |- ! rowspan=2 | {{Abbr|#|Number of appearances}} ! rowspan=2 | Team ! rowspan=2 | {{Abbr|W|Wins}} ! rowspan=2 | {{Abbr|L|Losses}} ! rowspan=2 | {{Abbr|%|Win percentage}} ! rowspan=2 | {{Abbr|PF|Total points scored}} ! rowspan=2 | {{Abbr|PA|Total points allowed}} ! rowspan=2 | Last game ! rowspan=2 | Last win ! colspan=4 | Home ! colspan=4 | Away |- ! {{Abbr|G|Number of games}} ! {{Abbr|W|Wins}} ! {{Abbr|L|Losses}} ! {{Abbr|%|Win percentage}} ! {{Abbr|G|Number of games}} ! {{Abbr|W|Wins}} ! {{Abbr|L|Losses}} ! {{Abbr|%|Win percentage}} |- | 16 || align=left|New England Patriots | 12 || 4 || align=right|{{winpct|12|4}} || 417 || 304 | 2025 || 2025 | 8 || 7 || 1 || align=right|{{winpct|7|1}} || 8 || 5 || 3 || align=right|{{winpct|5|3}} |- | 16 || align=left|Pittsburgh Steelers | 8 || 8 || align=right|{{winpct|8|8}} || 349 || 339 | 2016 || 2010 | 11 || 6 || 5 || align=right|{{winpct|6|5}} || 5 || 2 || 3 || align=right|{{winpct|2|3}} |- | 11 || align=left|Denver Broncos | 8 || 3 || align=right|{{winpct|8|3}} || 242 || 210 | 2025 || 2015 | 8 || 6 || 2 || align=right|{{winpct|6|2}} || 3 || 2 || 1 || align=right|{{winpct|2|1}} |- | 11 || align=left|Las Vegas Raiders<ref group="fn" name="Raiders appearances"/> | 4 || 7 || align=right|{{winpct|4|7}} || 202 || 253 | 2002 || 2002 | 5 || 3 || 2 || align=right|{{winpct|3|2}} || 6 || 1 || 5 || align=right|{{winpct|1|5}} |- | 8 || align=left|Kansas City Chiefs | 5 || 3 || align=right|{{winpct|5|3}} || 213 || 201 | 2024 || 2024 | 6 || 4 || 2 || align=right|{{winpct|4|2}} || 2 || 1 || 1 || align=right|{{winpct|1|1}} |- | 7 || align=left|Miami Dolphins | 5 || 2 || align=right|{{winpct|5|2}} || 152 || 115 | 1992 || 1984 | 6 || 4 || 2 || align=right|{{winpct|4|2}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || align=right|{{winpct|1|0}} |- | 7 || align=left|Buffalo Bills | 4 || 3 || align=right|{{winpct|4|3}} || 183 || 124 | 2024 || 1993 | 3 || 3 || 0 || align=right|{{winpct|3|0}} || 4 || 1 || 3 || align=right|{{winpct|1|3}} |- | 7 || align=left|Indianapolis Colts<ref group="fn" name="Colts appearances"/> | 3 || 4 || align=right|{{winpct|3|4}} || 132 || 178 | 2014 || 2009 | 3 || 3 || 0 || align=right|{{winpct|3|0}} || 4 || 0 || 4 || align=right|{{winpct|0|4}} |- | 5 || align=left|Baltimore Ravens | 2 || 3 || align=right|{{winpct|2|3}} || 88 || 79 | 2023 || 2012 | 1 || 0 || 1 || align=right|{{winpct|0|1}} || 4 || 2 || 2 || align=right|{{winpct|2|2}} |- | 5 || align=left|Tennessee Titans<ref group="fn" name="Titans appearances"/> | 1 || 4 || align=right|{{winpct|1|4}} || 99 || 151 | 2019 || 1999 | 0 || 0 || 0 || align=right {{n/a}} || 5 || 1 || 4 || align=right|{{winpct|1|4}} |- | 4 || align=left|Cincinnati Bengals | 3 || 1 || align=right|{{winpct|3|1}} || 95 || 64 | 2022 || 2021 | 2 || 2 || 0 || align=right|{{winpct|2|0}} || 2 || 1 || 1 || align=right|{{winpct|1|1}} |- | 4 || align=left|Los Angeles Chargers<ref group="fn" name="Chargers appearances"/> | 1 || 3 || align=right|{{winpct|1|3}} || 63 || 95 | 2007 || 1994 | 1 || 0 || 1 || align=right|{{winpct|0|1}} || 3 || 1 || 2 || align=right|{{winpct|1|2}} |- | 4 || align=left|New York Jets | 0 || 4 || align=right|{{winpct|0|4}} || 46 || 91 | 2010 || {{N/A}} | 0 || 0 || 0 || align=right {{n/a}} || 4 || 0 || 4 || align=right|{{winpct|0|4}} |- | 3 || align=left|Cleveland Browns | 0 || 3 || align=right|{{winpct|0|3}} || 74 || 98 | 1989 || {{N/A}} | 1 || 0 || 1 || align=right|{{winpct|0|1}} || 2 || 0 || 2 || align=right|{{winpct|0|2}} |- | 3 || align=left|Jacksonville Jaguars | 0 || 3 || align=right|{{winpct|0|3}} || 40 || 77 | 2017 || {{N/A}} | 1 || 0 || 1 || align=right|{{winpct|0|1}} || 2 || 0 || 2 || align=right|{{winpct|0|2}} |- | 1 || align=left|Seattle Seahawks<ref group="fn" name="SEA appearances"/> | 0 || 1 || align=right|{{winpct|0|1}} || 14 || 30 | 1983 || {{N/A}}{{Cref|b}} | 0 || 0 || 0 || align=right {{n/a}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || align=right|{{winpct|0|1}} |}
==Appearances by year== In the sortable table below, teams are ordered first by number of appearances, then by number of wins, and finally by year of first appearance. In the "Season(s)" column, '''bold years''' indicate winning Conference Championship appearances. {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" !scope="col"|{{Abbr|Apps|Appearances}} ! scope="col" style="width:150px;"|Team !scope="col"|Wins !scope="col"|Losses !scope="col"|Win % !scope="col" class="unsortable"| Season(s) |- || 16 ||style="text-align:left;"|New England Patriots || 12 || 4 || {{winpct|12|4}}|| style="text-align:left;"| '''1985''', '''1996''', '''2001''', '''2003''', '''2004''', 2006, '''2007''', '''2011''', 2012, 2013, '''2014''', 2015, '''2016''', '''2017''', '''2018''', '''2025''' |- || 16 ||style="text-align:left;"|Pittsburgh Steelers || 8 || 8 || {{winpct|8|8}}|| style="text-align:left;"| 1972, '''1974''', '''1975''', 1976, '''1978''', '''1979''', 1984, 1994, '''1995''', 1997, 2001, 2004, '''2005''', '''2008''', '''2010''', 2016 |- || 11 ||style="text-align:left;"|Denver Broncos || 8 || 3 || {{winpct|8|3}}|| style="text-align:left;"| '''1977''', '''1986''', '''1987''', '''1989''', 1991, '''1997''', '''1998''', 2005, '''2013''', '''2015''', 2025 |- || 11 ||style="text-align:left;"|Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders<ref group="fn" name="Raiders appearances">Includes appearances during the Raiders' first tenure in Oakland (the 1970 merger until 1981), where they went 2–5 in AFC Championship Games; their period as the Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1994), where they went 1–1 in AFC Championship Games; and their second tenure in Oakland (1995–2019), where they went 1–1 in AFC Championship Games. Since moving to Las Vegas in 2020, the Raiders are 0–0 in AFC Championship Games.</ref> || 4 || 7 || {{winpct|4|7}}|| style="text-align:left;"| 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, '''1976''', 1977, '''1980''', '''1983''', 1990, 2000, '''2002''' |- || 8 ||style="text-align:left;"|Kansas City Chiefs || 5|| 3 || {{winpct|5|3}}|| style="text-align:left;"| 1993, 2018, '''2019''', '''2020''', 2021, '''2022''', '''2023''', '''2024''' |- || 7 ||style="text-align:left;"|Miami Dolphins || 5 || 2 || {{winpct|5|2}}|| style="text-align:left;"| '''1971''', '''1972''', '''1973''', '''1982''', '''1984''', 1985, 1992 |- || 7 ||style="text-align:left;"|Buffalo Bills || 4 || 3 || {{winpct|4|3}}|| style="text-align:left;"| 1988, '''1990''', '''1991''', '''1992''', '''1993''', 2020, 2024 |- || 7 ||style="text-align:left;"|Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts<ref group="fn" name="Colts appearances">Includes appearances as the Baltimore Colts (the 1970 merger to 1983), where they went 1–1 in AFC Championship Games. Since moving to Indianapolis in 1984, the Colts are 2–3 in AFC Championship Games.</ref> || 3 || 4 || {{winpct|3|4}}|| style="text-align:left;"| '''1970''', 1971, 1995, 2003, '''2006''', '''2009''', 2014 |- || 5 ||style="text-align:left;"|Baltimore Ravens || 2 || 3 || {{winpct|2|3}}|| style="text-align:left;"| '''2000''', 2008, 2011, '''2012''', 2023 |- || 5 ||style="text-align:left;"|Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans<ref group="fn" name="Titans appearances">Includes appearances as the Houston Oilers (the 1970 merger to 1996), where they went 0–2 in AFC Championship Games. Since moving to Tennessee in 1997, they are 1–2 in AFC Championship Games.</ref> || 1 || 4 || {{winpct|1|4}}|| style="text-align:left;"| 1978, 1979, '''1999''', 2002, 2019 |- || 4 ||style="text-align:left;"|Cincinnati Bengals || 3 || 1 || {{winpct|3|1}}|| style="text-align:left;"| '''1981''', '''1988''', '''2021''', 2022 |- || 4 ||style="text-align:left;"|San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers<ref group="fn" name="Chargers appearances">The Chargers were playing in San Diego at the time of all their AFC Championship appearances.</ref> || 1 || 3 || {{winpct|1|3}}|| style="text-align:left;"| 1980, 1981, '''1994''', 2007 |- || 4 ||style="text-align:left;"|New York Jets || 0 || 4 || {{winpct|0|4}}|| style="text-align:left;"| 1982, 1998, 2009, 2010 |- || 3 ||style="text-align:left;"|Jacksonville Jaguars || 0 || 3 || {{winpct|0|3}}|| style="text-align:left;"| 1996, 1999, 2017 |- || 3 ||style="text-align:left;"|Cleveland Browns || 0 || 3 || {{winpct|0|3}}|| style="text-align:left;"| 1986, 1987, 1989 |- || 1 ||style="text-align:left;"|Seattle Seahawks<ref group="fn" name="SEA appearances">The Seahawks were members of the NFC in 1976 and then members of the AFC from 1977 to 2001, before rejoining the NFC in 2002. Including their appearances in the NFC Championship Game (4–0), they hold a combined 4–1 record between both Conference Championship Games.</ref> || 0 || 1 || {{winpct|0|1}}|| style="text-align:left;"| 1983 |- || 0 ||style="text-align:left;"|Houston Texans<ref group="fn" name="Hou2002">The Houston Texans were founded in 2002.</ref> || 0 || 0 || {{winpct|0|0}}|| style="text-align:left;"| |- || 0 ||style="text-align:left;"|Tampa Bay Buccaneers<ref group="fn" name="TB appearances">The Buccaneers were members of the AFC in 1976 before moving to the NFC in 1977.</ref> || 0 || 0 || {{winpct|0|0}}|| style="text-align:left;"| |}
== Records by division == The table below shows AFC Championship Game records by division, based on the division the franchise was in during the season the championship game was played. The NFL realigned divisions prior to the 2002 season, renaming the AFC Central as the AFC North, creating the AFC South, and shifting several teams among the divisions.
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|- !scope="col" rowspan=2|Division !scope="col" colspan=4|Total !scope="col" colspan=4|1970–2001 !scope="col" colspan=4|2002–present
|- !scope="col"|{{Abbr|Apps|Appearances}} !scope="col"|Wins !scope="col"|Losses !scope="col"|Win %
!scope="col"|{{Abbr|Apps|Appearances}} !scope="col"|Wins !scope="col"|Losses !scope="col"|Win %
!scope="col"|{{Abbr|Apps|Appearances}} !scope="col"|Wins !scope="col"|Losses !scope="col"|Win %
|- | AFC East | 37 | 22 | 15 | {{winpct|22|15}}
| 20 | 13<ref name="eastwins" group="fn">AFC East conference championship game victories. Pre-2002: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2001. Since 2002: 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2025.</ref> | 7<ref name="eastdefeats" group="fn">AFC East conference championship game losses. Pre-2002: 1971, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1998. Since 2002: 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2020, 2024.</ref> | {{winpct|13|7}}
| 17 | 9<ref name="eastwins" group="fn"/> | 8<ref name="eastdefeats" group="fn"/> | {{winpct|9|8}}
|- | AFC North | 33 | 14 | 19 | {{winpct|14|19}}
| 22 | 9<ref name="Northwins" group="fn">AFC North conference championship game victories. Pre-2002: 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1988, 1995, 1999, 2000. Since 2002: 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2021.</ref> | 13<ref name="Northdefeats" group="fn">AFC North conference championship game losses. Pre-2002: 1972, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001. Since 2002: 2004, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2022, 2023. </ref> | {{winpct|9|13}}
| 11 | 5<ref name="Northwins" group="fn"/> | 6<ref name="Northdefeats" group="fn"/> | {{winpct|5|6}}
|- | AFC South | 7 | 2 | 5 | {{winpct|2|5}}
| colspan=4 {{n/a}}
| 7 | 2<ref group="fn">AFC South conference championship game victories: 2006, 2009.</ref> | 5<ref group="fn">AFC South conference championship game losses: 2002, 2003, 2014, 2017, 2019.</ref> | {{winpct|2|5}}
|- | AFC West | 36 | 18 | 18 | {{winpct|18|18}}
| 22 | 10<ref name="WestWins" group="fn">AFC West conference championship game victories. Pre-2002: 1976, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1994, 1997, 1998. Since 2002: 2002, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024. </ref> | 12<ref name="WestDefeats" group="fn">AFC West conference championship game losses. Pre-2002: 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2000. Since 2002: 2005, 2007, 2018, 2021, 2025 </ref> | {{winpct|10|12}}
| 13 | 8<ref name="WestWins" group="fn"/> | 5<ref name="WestDefeats" group="fn"/> | {{winpct|8|5}}
|}
==Most common matchups==
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Count ! Matchup ! Record ! Years Played |- | 3 | Oakland / Los Angeles / Las Vegas Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | Steelers, 2–1 | 1974, 1975, 1976 |- | 3 | Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns | Broncos, 3–0 | 1986, 1987, 1989 |- | 3 | Baltimore / Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots | Patriots, 2–1 | 2003, 2006, 2014 |- | 3 | New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | Patriots, 3–0 | 2001, 2004, 2016 |- | 3 | Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs | Chiefs, 2–1 | 1993, 2020, 2024 |- | 3 | Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots | Broncos, 2–1 | 2013, 2015, 2025 |- | 2 | Houston / Tennessee Oilers / Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | Steelers, 2–0 | 1978, 1979 |- | 2 | Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | Dolphins, 2–0 | 1972, 1984 |- | 2 | Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | Tie, 1–1 | 1997, 2005 |- | 2 | Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots | Tie, 1–1 | 2011, 2012 |- | 2 | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots | Patriots, 2–0 | 1996, 2017 |- | 2 | Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs | Tie, 1–1 | 2021, 2022 |}
==AFC Championship Game records== 100px|right|thumb|AFC Championship Game logo, 2001–2005 right|thumb|AFC Championship Game logo, 2008–2010 (Used with old shield since 2005) * '''Most victories:''' 12** – New England Patriots (1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2025) * '''Most losses:''' 8 – Pittsburgh Steelers, (1972, 1976, 1984, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2016) * '''Most appearances:''' 16 (tie) **Pittsburgh Steelers (1972, 1974–1976, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2016) **New England Patriots (1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011–2018, 2025) * '''Most consecutive appearances:''' 8** – New England Patriots (2011–2018) * '''Most consecutive victories:''' 4** – Buffalo Bills (1990–1993) * '''Most appearances without a win:''' 4** – New York Jets (1982, 1998, 2009, 2010) * '''Most consecutive losses before first win:''' 4* – Oakland Raiders (1970, 1973, 1974, 1975) * '''Most consecutive appearances without a win:''' 4 (tie) ** Oakland Raiders (1970, 1973, 1974, 1975) ** New York Jets (1982, 1998, 2009, 2010) * '''Most defensive shutouts:''' 2* – Miami Dolphins (1971, 21–0 vs Colts and 1982, 14–0 vs Jets) * '''Most consecutive losses:''' 3* – Oakland Raiders (1973–1975) * '''Most games hosted:''' 11* – Pittsburgh Steelers (1972, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2010) * '''Most consecutive games hosted:''' 5** – Kansas City Chiefs (2018–2022) * '''Most common matchup:''' 3 (tie, 6 times) ** Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders (1974, 1975, 1976) ** Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos (1986, 1987, 1989) ** New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2001, 2004, 2016) ** New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts (2003, 2006, 2014) ** Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1993, 2020, 2024) ** Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots (2013, 2015, 2025) * '''Most points scored:''' 51 – January 20, 1991 (1990) – Buffalo Bills (51) vs. Los Angeles Raiders (3) * '''Largest margin of victory:''' 48 points** – January 20, 1991 (1990) – Buffalo Bills (51) vs. Los Angeles Raiders (3) * '''Smallest margin of victory:''' 2 points – January 24, 2016 (2015) – Denver Broncos (20) vs. New England Patriots (18) * '''Fewest points scored, winning team:''' 10 (tie) ** January 12, 1992 (1991) – Buffalo Bills (10) vs. Denver Broncos (7) ** January 25, 2026 (2025) – New England Patriots (10) vs. Denver Broncos (7) * '''Fewest points scored:''' 0* (tie) ** January 2, 1972 (1971) – Baltimore Colts (0) vs. Miami Dolphins (21) ** January 23, 1983 (1982) – New York Jets (0) vs. Miami Dolphins (14) * '''Most points scored, losing team:''' 34** – January 21, 2007 (2006) – New England Patriots (34) vs. Indianapolis Colts (38) * '''Most combined points scored:''' 73 – January 6, 1985 (1984) – Miami Dolphins (45) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (28) * '''Fewest combined points scored:''' 14 – January 23, 1983 (1982) – Miami Dolphins (14) vs. New York Jets (0) * '''Longest game:''' 65 minutes, 48 seconds – January 11, 1987 (1986) – Denver Broncos (23) vs. Cleveland Browns (20), OT * '''Most AFC Championships lost in overtime:''' 2* – Kansas City Chiefs (2018, 2021) * '''Current teams which have never appeared in an AFC Championship Game:''' Houston Texans * '''Current teams which have never hosted an AFC Championship Game:''' ** Houston Texans ** New York Jets<ref group="fn" name=":0">The Jets last hosted and won the 1968 AFL Championship Game during the Super Bowl era.</ref> ** Tennessee Titans<ref group="fn">The Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans franchise last hosted the 1962 AFL Championship Game.</ref> * '''Current teams which have never won an AFC Championship Game:''' ** Cleveland Browns (0–3) ** Houston Texans (0–0) ** Jacksonville Jaguars (0–3) ** New York Jets (0–4)<ref name=":0" group="fn" /> * '''Longest drought without appearing in an AFC Championship Game:''' Cleveland Browns (last appearance – 1989) * '''Longest drought without an AFC Championship:''' New York Jets<ref name=":0" group="fn" /> * '''Highest attendance:''' 91,445** – Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 8, 1984 (1983) * '''Largest comeback:''' 18 points** (tie) ** Indianapolis Colts (trailed 21–3; won 38–34), 2006 ** Cincinnati Bengals (trailed 21–3; won 27–24), 2021 * '''Overtime games:''' **1986: Denver Broncos 23, Cleveland Browns 20 **2018: New England Patriots 37, Kansas City Chiefs 31 **2021: Cincinnati Bengals 27, Kansas City Chiefs 24
'''Notes:''' * <nowiki>*</nowiki>Tied for Conference Championship record * <nowiki>**</nowiki>Conference Championship record
==TV ratings== *1982: 51.6 million viewers<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2014/01/20/the-nfl-on-cbs-scores-with-second-highest-rating-for-afc-championship-game-in-27-years-897001/20140120cbs01 |title=Ratings - "The NFL on CBS" Scores with Second Highest Rating for AFC Championship Game in 27 Years |publisher=TheFutonCritic.com |date=2014-01-20 |accessdate=2022-05-05}}</ref> *2003: 41.5 million viewers *2005: 44.3 million viewers *2006: 39 million viewers<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2006/01/24/cbs-sports-coverage-of-the-afc-championship-pittsburgh-steelers-at-denver-broncos-attracts-39-million-viewers-the-number-one-broadcast-on-any-network-this-season-20404/20060124cbs01 |title=Ratings - CBS Sports' Coverage of the Afc Championship (Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos) Attracts 39 Million Viewers - the Number One Broadcast on Any Network This Season |publisher=TheFutonCritic.com |date= |accessdate=2022-05-05}}</ref> *2007: 46.7 million viewers<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2007/01/23/cbs-wins-the-week-with-the-best-viewer-delivery-by-any-network-this-season-and-best-by-any-network-in-nearly-a-year--23431/20070123cbs02 |title=Ratings - CBS Wins the Week with the Best Viewer Delivery by Any Network This Season and Best by Any Network in Nearly a Year |publisher=TheFutonCritic.com |date= |accessdate=2022-05-05}}</ref> *2009: 42 million viewers<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsmedianews.com/afc-champ-highest-rated-telecast-of-2008-09-tv-season/|title = AFC Champ Highest rated telecast of 2008-09 TV season|date = 20 January 2009}}</ref> *2010: 42.3 million viewers *2011: 54.9 million viewers<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2011-02-02-nflratings02_ST_N.htm|title=NFL passes new records in TV ratings|work=USA Today|date=1 February 2011|access-date=11 October 2014}}</ref> *2012: 48.7 million viewers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/01/afc-championship-game-highest-rated-in-18-years-nfc-game-top-rated-in-17-years-218971/|title=NFL Ratings Spike: 48.7 Million Watch AFC Title Game, NFC Game Draws 57.6 Mil|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=23 January 2012|access-date=11 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/tag/afc-championship-ratings/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219012425/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/tag/afc-championship-ratings/|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 December 2013|title=AFC Championship Ratings|website=TV by the Numbers|access-date=11 October 2014}}</ref> *2013: 47.7 million viewers<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/tv-has-just-one-thing-left-live-nfl-2013-12|title=Astonishing Chart Shows How The NFL Dominates TV Ratings|work=Business Insider|date=17 December 2013|access-date=11 October 2014}}</ref> *2014: 51.3 million viewers<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/01/20/cbs-sports-earns-second-highest-viewer-average-for-afc-championship-game-in-32-years/230653/ |title=CBS Sports Earns Second Highest Viewer Average for AFC Championship Game in 32 Years - Ratings |website=Zap2it |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123040238/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/01/20/cbs-sports-earns-second-highest-viewer-average-for-afc-championship-game-in-32-years/230653/ |archive-date=23 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> *2015: 42.1 million viewers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/afc-championship-ratings-patriots-colts-cbs-nfl-revenge-1201353194/|title=AFC Championship Game Ratings Stumble For CBS, 'Revenge' Rises|first=Dominic|last=Patten|date=19 January 2015|website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> *2016: 53.3 million viewers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/afc-championship-game-ratings-broncos-patriots-cbs-1201689780/|title=AFC Title Game Ratings Score For CBS With 53.3 Million Viewers|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=25 January 2016|website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> *2017: 41.2 million viewers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportstvratings.com/nfl-conference-championships-overnight-tv-ratings-2006-2016/7365/|title=NFL Conference Championships Overnight TV Ratings 2006-2016|date=23 January 2017|website=sportstvratings.com}}</ref> *2018: 53.9 million viewers<ref name="bostonglobe.com">{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Christopher |date=2020-01-21 |title=Without the Patriots, TV ratings for AFC championship game reportedly take a dip |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2020/01/20/without-patriots-ratings-for-afc-championship-game-take-dip/wrAL3bzYoGHWiKJiF8rOPO/story.html |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=BostonGlobe.com}}</ref> *2019: 41.1 million viewers<ref name="bostonglobe.com" /> *2020: 41.8 million viewers<ref>{{cite web |title=TV Ratings: NFL Conference Championships Grow |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-sunday-jan-24-2021 |website=HollywoodReporter.com|date=26 January 2021 }}</ref> *2021: 47.8 million viewers<ref>{{cite web |title=TV Ratings: NFL Conference Championships Hit Multi-Year Highs |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/nfl-conference-championships-2022-tv-ratings-1235085071/ |website=HollywoodReporter.com|date=February 2022 }}</ref> *2022: 53.1 million viewers<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-31 |title=Local Bengals-Chiefs TV ratings top 2022 Super Bowl |url=https://www.wvxu.org/media/2023-01-31/bengals-chiefs-tv-ratings-top-2022-super-bowl-afc-championship-wkrc-tv-tvkiese |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=WVXU |language=en}}</ref> *2023: 55.5 million viewers<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Jon |date=2024-01-30 |title=Over 55 million for Chiefs-Ravens AFC title game |url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2024/01/chiefs-ravens-ratings-afc-championship-viewership-cbs/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Sports Media Watch |language=en-US}}</ref> *2024: 57.4 million viewers<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/chiefs-dramatic-win-over-bills-sets-afc-championship-record-for-tv-viewership-with-this-huge-number/ |title=Chiefs' dramatic win over Bills sets AFC Championship record for TV viewership with this huge number |last=Breech |first=John |website=CBS Sports |date=January 28, 2025 |access-date=February 19, 2025}}</ref>
==Footnotes== <references group="fn"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{AFC Championship Game}} {{NFL playoffs}} {{NFL awards}} {{National Football League}} {{American football in the United States}}
Category:AFC Championship Games Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1971