The history of the game goes back to 1970 when the rival American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) merged to form the new National Football League. There was some realignment to even out the two conferences with three NFL teams going over to the AFC. These were the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers. This balanced the two leagues and allowed for better scheduling.

The playoff format has changed over the years and more playoff games added including Wild Card games that have resulted in pushing the AFC Championship back to the end of January. Compare this to the fact that the first Super Bowl had been played mid January in 1967.

The Wild Card games have often shown that the team with the best record does not make it to the AFC Championship game but home field advantage and good season records are a good indicator of future success in the playoffs.

The NFC has a slight lead in wins at the Super Bowl edging the AFC presently at 23 wins to 21.

Thus far 9 AFC teams have won the AFC portion of the Super Bowl though at least two have won it in one city, then moved to another and won it (Baltimore Colts - Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders - LA Raiders).

The Baltimore Ravens won the AFC Championship game after they had moved from Cleveland where they had been the Browns. They won the Super Bowl a few years after the move.

The winner of this conference playoff advances to the Super Bowl where they play the National Football Conference (NFC) champion.

In honoring the history of the game and its origins in the AFL the winner of this playoff game has been awarded the Lamar Hunt Trophy which is named for the founder of the AFL and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs. This trophy has been awarded since 1984.