HOT!!! These three NFL games were the hottest.
The Summer of 2026 has been hot and humid. In the United States, temperatures reached over 100 degrees in the Northeast, the South, the Midwest, the Southwest, and the West Coast.
What about in sports? With the new NFL Football season coming up in the next few weeks, here are the hottest NFL games on record.
Graphic courtesy NFL Retro on Facebook
The hottest NFL game on record happened on September 3, 2000, between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, known as the “Pickle Juice Game.” The game was played in Texas Stadium. The temperature reached 109 degrees, and the on-field temperature was reported to be between 130 and 171 degrees.
Why did the game carry that name? The Eagles’ training staff suggested that players drink pickle juice. Players started drinking pickle juice leading up to and during the game to avoid severe muscle cramps. Medical studies have found that pickle juice is effective.
The pickle juice strategy worked, as the Eagles suffered only one cramp during the entire game. The Eagles beat the Cowboys, 41-14. Running Back Duce Staley rushed for 201 yards, and the Eagles defense held the Cowboys to 167 yards.
Graphic courtesy NFL on YouTube
The hottest NFL playoff game on record happened on January 2, 1982, between the San Diego Chargers and the Miami Dolphins. The game was an AFC divisional playoff game, known as The Epic in Miami. At the Miami Orange Bowl, the temperature reached 76 degrees with 80% humidity, and the heat index made it feel like the upper 80s and lower 90s. But even though the heat was oppressive, the game was considered one of the greatest in NFL history. The Chargers won in overtime, 41-38, and the teams set a playoff record for the most points scored by both teams (79); the most total yards by both teams (1,036); and the most passing yards by both teams (809).
In addition to the many records broken, many players went through excruciating pain. Many players endured severe dehydration and painful cramps. Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow played through exhaustion, dehydration, and even a shoulder injury, which resulted in a legendary photograph of him being helped off the field.
Larry Csonka (39) and Bob Griese (12) in Super Bowl VII (cover photo courtesy Sports Illustrated)
The warmest Super Bowl on record was Super Bowl VII on January 14, 1973, between the Washington Redskins and the Miami Dolphins. At the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, the outdoor kickoff temperature was 84 degrees. The Miami Dolphins won 14-7 to complete their historic undefeated perfect season. The Dolphins are still the only team in modern NFL history to complete a perfect undefeated season. The Dolphins’ victory secured their first Super Bowl.
Miami Dolphins safety Jake Scott was named Most Valuable Player. Scott is one of two safeties to win the Super Bowl MVP. Scott became the second defensive player in Super Bowl history to earn the Super Bowl MVP award.
Ideal football weather is usually cool, with crisp autumn air, temperatures around 50 degrees, pleasant breezes, and clear or partly cloudy skies. These games were anything but that!
