The Super Bowl is not just a game; it’s a spectacle where dreams come true and teams face their destiny. Over the years, some National Football League teams have made this event their second home.
Several of them have returned again and again to the stage where the best of the best are determined. These teams have not only dominated the regular season but have built legacies that transcend the field of play.
The New England Patriots, with their multiple appearances, are the undisputed kings, a franchise and dynasty whose path has been marked by consistency, leadership, and an unstoppable hunger for victories.
| Team | Super Bowl appearances | Super Bowl wins |
| New England Patriots | 11 | 6 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 8 | 6 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 8 | 5 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 8 | 5 |
| Denver Broncos | 5 | 3 |
Most Super Bowl appearances by a team
New England Patriots
Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field with teammates after a fumble in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 in 2025. (Source: Elsa/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots are the team with the most Super Bowl appearances, with a total of 11. Their first appearance was in Super Bowl XX, where they faced the Chicago Bears in 1985. Despite their efforts, they were decisively defeated by the Bears (46-10).
However, luck began to change in 2001 when, under the direction of Bill Belichick, they surprised the world by winning their first Super Bowl in XXXVI, defeating the St. Louis Rams 20-17, with a memorable field goal by Adam Vinatieri.
In the following editions, the team would dominate the NFL, achieving other major victories in Super Bowls XXXVIII (32-29 against the Carolina Panthers), XXXIX (24-21 against the Philadelphia Eagles), and XLIX (28-24 against the Seattle Seahawks, in a famous ending with a decisive interception).
Although they lost in later editions, such as XLII against the New York Giants and LII against the Eagles, their greatest triumph came in Super Bowl LI in 2016, when they made an incredible comeback against the Atlanta Falcons, winning 34-28 in overtime. Their last Super Bowl appearance was in 2023, where, although they fought fiercely, they were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35.
Pittsburgh Steelers
James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs back an interception for 100 yards to score a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII. (Source: Al Bello/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most successful teams in NFL history, with a total of 8 Super Bowl appearances and 6 victories. Their first appearance came in 1974, when they faced the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IX. They won 16-6, marking the beginning of a dominant era for the team.
The following year, in Super Bowl X, they defeated the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 to claim their second consecutive championship. They would go on to win two more titles in the late 1970s, with victories in Super Bowl XIII (35-31 against the Cowboys) and Super Bowl XIV (31-19 against the Los Angeles Rams), solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse team.
After a drought, the Steelers returned to the Super Bowl in 2005. In Super Bowl XL, they defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10, securing their fifth title. Three years later, they were back in Super Bowl XLIII, where they faced the Arizona Cardinals. In a dramatic game, they won 27-23, claiming their sixth Super Bowl victory.
Despite reaching Super Bowl appearances in 2010 (Super Bowl XLV), the Steelers lost to the Green Bay Packers, 31-25. Nevertheless, their dominance in the 1970s and consistent performances over the decades cemented the Steelers as one of the most iconic franchises in NFL history.
Dallas Cowboys
Safety Bill Bates #40 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates on the sidelines during Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sun Devil Stadium on January 28, 1996. (Source: George Rose/Getty Images)
The Dallas Cowboys are another NFL team with a rich history of Super Bowl appearances, having played in 8 and won 5 titles. Their first championship came in 1971, with a 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. This victory was the start of a dynasty, and the Cowboys would go on to win three more Super Bowls in the 1970s.
In Super Bowl X, they triumphed over the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-17, and then repeated their success in Super Bowl XII by defeating the Denver Broncos 27-10. However, their most dominant win came in Super Bowl XIII, where they faced the Steelers once again. The Cowboys won 35-31 in a thrilling game that cemented their legacy in NFL history.
In the 1990s, they experienced a resurgence, winning two more Super Bowls in the 1990s. In Super Bowl XXVII, they defeated the Buffalo Bills 52-17, and in Super Bowl XXVIII, they triumphed again over the Bills, winning 30-13.
Their most recent Super Bowl appearance came in 1995, when they played against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. The Cowboys secured a 27-17 victory, adding their fifth and final title.
San Francisco 49ers
Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVIII. (Source: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers are one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, with 8 Super Bowl appearances and 5 victories. Their first Super Bowl victory came in 1981, when they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21 in Super Bowl XVI. This win began a period of dominance, as the 49ers would go on to claim four championships in the 1980s.
In 1984, they earned a commanding 38-16 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX. The following year, they secured another title by defeating the Bengals again in Super Bowl XXIII, 20-16. Their most dominant win came in 1989, when they thrashed the Denver Broncos 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV.
After a period of relative quiet, they returned to the Super Bowl in 1994, where they faced the San Diego Chargers. They won 49-26, adding another title to their collection.
Although they suffered losses in 2012 (Super Bowl XLVII, where they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens) and 2019 (Super Bowl LIV, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs), their legacy in the Super Bowl remains remarkable with their five championships.
Denver Broncos
Running back Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos recovers the ball in the endzone for a safety against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVIII. (Source: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
The Denver Broncos have made 5 Super Bowl appearances, winning 3 of them. Their first Super Bowl appearance came in 1977 at Super Bowl XII, where they faced the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, they were defeated 27-10.
They returned to the Super Bowl in 1986, but suffered another loss, this time to the New York Giants 39-20. In 1989, they suffered their third defeat in Super Bowl XXIV, falling to the San Francisco 49ers 55-10.
However, the Broncos found their way to victory in 1997, when they triumphed over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII with a 31-24 win, claiming their first Super Bowl title. Their second championship came in 1998, when they defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII.
After years of rebuilding, they returned to the Super Bowl in 2013, where they faced the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. However, they were defeated 43-8 in a surprising upset. Despite this, the Broncos’ two titles in the late 1990s remain highlights in their franchise’s history.
