NFL teams ranked by the number of Super Bowl appearances
| Updated: February 10, 2023 
Broadcasted to over 170 countries, the Super Bowl is the most-watched annual sporting event in the world. It features a halftime show and some fantastic ads. The Super Bowl attracts a record number of punters every year. Considering that the event is approaching, our team at SportingPedia decided compile a list of the NFL teams that boast the highest number of Super Bowl appearances as of 2023 as well as their current market value.
Top NFL Teams Ranked by the Number of Super Bowl Appearances
1. New England Patriots
- Appearances: 11
- Titles: 6
New England Patriots hold the record for the most Super Bowl titles and appearances. The team played in eleven Super Bowls, winning six of them. Established in 1959 as the Boston Patriots, the team joined the NFL in the wake of the NFL-AFL merger. Before that, the Patriots were charter members of the American Football League (AFL). Since 2002, the Patriots play home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
In 1994, Robert Kraft bought the team and hired head coach Bill Parcells. He guided the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXI, where they were defeated by the Green Bay Packers. But the team’s quarterback Drew Bledsoe suffered an injury and was replaced by the sixth-round draft pick Tom Brady. In 1999, the franchise hired head coach Bill Belichick. That was a turning moment for the Patriots, who secured their first Super Bowl title in 2002.
From 20021 to 2018, head coach Bill Belichick and Brady led the Patriots to new heights. This period is also known as the Brady-Belichick era. But the partnership between Belichick and Brady was strained. As a result, Brady left the Patriots and joined Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots replaced Brady with quarterback Cam Newton. But due to a very disappointing 2020 season, the Patriots released Newton and drafted Mac Jones.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Appearances: 8
- Titles: 6
Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the oldest franchises in the NFL. Founded in July 1933 by Arthur Rooney, the team was initially known as the Pittsburgh Pirates. But in 1940, the team was renamed the Pittsburgh Steelers. Interestingly, the Steelers have a huge fanbase often referred to as Steeler Nation. In 1938, the team signed a contract with future Justice of the US Supreme Court Byron White.
During World War II, the Steelers experienced a shortage of players. As a result, they had to merge with other NFL teams twice to form a team. In 1947, the team qualified for the playoffs for the first time but was defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles. After quarterback Ben Roethlisberger joined the Steelers, the team became one of the most successful NFL franchises, winning the 2006 and 2009 Super Bowl titles.
The Steelers became the first NFL team to hire an African-American assistant coach and a female as a full-time athletic trainer. The team has played in six Super Bowls, winning six times.
3. Dallas Cowboys
- Appearances: 8
- Titles: 5
The Dallas Cowboys, also known as America’s Team, was founded in January 1960. The same year, the Cowboys joined the NFL as an expansion team. The Cowboys played in eight Super Bowls. The team has five Super Bowl titles and holds the record for the most straight winning sessions. The Cowboys have won the Super Bowl two times under head coach Tom Landry. Between 1974 and 1984, the Cowboys missed the playoffs only twice.
In 1989, the Cowboys were sold to current owner Jerry Jones. Other prominent head coaches of the Cowboys are Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer. Some of the best players in franchise history are Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Tony Dorsett.
In 2015, the Dallas Cowboys was the most expensive NFL team, valued at $4 billion. Only three years later, the team was valued at $5 billion. In 2014, the NFL franchise generated over $600 million in revenues. The Dallas Cowboys has made eight Super Bowl appearances. The team has won 13 NFC East Championships.
4. Denver Broncos
- Appearances: 8
- Titles: 3
Denver Broncos was established in August 1959 by Bob Howsam after he was awarded an American Football League charter franchise. In 1965, the team almost lost its franchise. But thanks to a local ownership group, the Broncos survived and joined the NFL in 1970. Fans of the team know that the Broncos were not pretty successful during their first years in the NFL. The team holds the record for the most Super Bowl losses.
In 1972, former Stanford University coach John Ralston became the head coach of the Broncos. Under his guidance, the team managed to win three seasons and became one of the most successful NFL franchises. The Broncos qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 1977 but they were defeated by the Dallas Cowboys. Although John Ralston led the team to success, several players expressed discontent with the head coach. Shortly after that, Ralston submitted his resignation.
The team is currently owned by the Walton-Penner group. The Denver Broncos have won the AFC Championship title eight times, have been to the Super Bowl eight times, and have won the Super Bowl title three times. Team owner Pat Bowlen created the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1984 to honor the greatest team members. Steve Atwater, Terrell Davis, John Elway, Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin, and Louis Wright are some of the most prominent names associated with the Denver Broncos.
5. San Francisco 49ers
- Appearances: 7
- Titles: 5
The San Francisco 49ers were established in June 1944, and only two years later, the team joined the All-America Football Conference. Currently, it is one of the oldest teams in the NFL. A curious fact about the San Francisco 49ers is that it is the first NFL team that won 15 regular season games since the league’s first schedule expansion in 1978.
In 1997, Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. purchased the team, and only three years later, the San Francisco 49ers won their first Super Bowl title. By 1990, the 49ers won a total of 4 Super Bowl titles with Joe Montana at the quarterback position.
In 2019, the team qualified for the playoffs under head coach Kyle Shanahan for the first time since 2013. The 49ers made an appearance in the 2020 Super Bowl but were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs. The San Francisco 49ers have made it to the Super Bowl seven times and have won five titles. The names that will always remain in the history of the team are Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Ronnie Lott, Dwight Clark, and others.