The game is played on the last Sunday in January by the two remaining playoff teams, following the NFC postseason's first two rounds.

The NFC champion then advances to face the winner of the AFC Championship Game in the Super Bowl.

The first NFC Championship Game was played following the 1970 regular season after the merger between the NFL and the AFL.

The Seattle Seahawks, who have been members in both the AFC and the NFC, hold the distinction of appearing in both conference title games.

The original design consisted of a wooden base with a sculpted NFC logo in the front and a sculpture of various football players in the back.

Prior to the merger in 1970, the NFL champions were awarded the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy, starting in 1934.