Which Franchise Holds the Most Super Bowl Wins
The question of which team has the most Super Bowl wins centers on the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, each holding the record with six titles as of 2025. The Steelers claimed their sixth in Super Bowl XLIII (2009), while the Patriots reached the same total with Super Bowl LIII (2019). This overview explains the distinction between league championships and Super Bowl wins, lists each franchise’s major victories, and clarifies how we determine the leader in a way that remains useful over time.
Understanding Super Bowl Championships vs. Pre-Super Bowl NFL Titles
Since the 1966 merger, the Super Bowl has been the sole determinant of an NFL champion. Before then, leagues crowned champions through separate championship games or, earlier, by season records and playoff rounds. When comparing total championships, the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) titles from 1946–1949 are sometimes included alongside NFL titles. The most common and widely accepted count, however, tracks only the Super Bowl era, which is the standard used here.
Top Teams by Super Bowl Wins
No other franchise has matched the Steelers’ and Patriots’ six titles. The San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants follow with five each, while the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos have each won three. Teams such as the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have two, and several others hold one. The table below summarizes the verified counts for the top five franchises, providing clarity on the most successful programs in Super Bowl history.
Super Bowl Wins by Team (Top 5)
| Team | Super Bowl Wins | Winning Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 6 | 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 2005, 2008 |
| New England Patriots | 6 | 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 5 | 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1994 |
| New York Giants | 5 | 1986, 1990, 2007, 2011, 2012 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 3 | 1971, 1977, 1995 |
| Denver Broncos | 3 | 1997, 1998, 2015 |
Key Context Around the Record
The Steelers’ and Patriots’ six titles each are recognized across official league records, team histories, and widely cited media sources. The Steelers built their legacy in the 1970s under Chuck Noll, while the Patriots’ run in the 2000s and 2010s was driven largely by quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick. Both teams have reached the Super Bowl multiple additional times without winning, which can create short-term impressions of parity but does not change the standing of all-time titles. Super Bowl wins are awarded only for the specific game, and moving forward, any changes to this list will require a team to secure a seventh championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which team is next if the Giants or 49ers win another title? Either would move into a three-way tie for third with Dallas and Denver at three wins, pending official confirmation.
- Do pre-Super Bowl titles count toward total championships? They are often included in broader historical counts, but the standard metric for modern success is Super Bowl victories only.
- Can any active team surpass the Steelers and Patriots soon? No current franchise is within reach of a sixth title in the immediate future; the closest are the 49ers and Giants at five.
