How Many Super Bowls Have The 49ers Won?

Every year, the National Football League (NFL) hosts the Super Bowl to determine its champion. The game has taken place every year since 1967, and over the years, there have been plenty of teams to have success in the big game. Few, however, have been as successful as the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have appeared in the Super Bowl seven times and came away victorious on five occasions. Their five Super Bowl titles are tied for the second most all-time, while their seven appearances are the fourth most. Below, each of their five victories is briefly discussed.

Super Bowl XVI (1982)

The 49ers’ first appearance in the Super Bowl was also their first victory. In 1982, San Francisco won the National Football Conference (NFC) and made it to Super Bowl XVI in Pontiac, Michigan. There, they faced off with the Cincinnati Bengals from the American Football Conference (AFC). The 49ers jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead before Cincinnati came back and made it close at the end, but San Francisco ultimately hung on for the victory by a score of 26-21. Legendary quarterback Joe Montana was named the game’s MVP, completing 14 of 22 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown, along with 18 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

Super Bowl XX (1985)

Three years after their first victory, the 49ers made it back to the big game again for Super Bowl XX in Stanford, California. This time, they faced off against the AFC champion Miami Dolphins. The 49ers saw themselves trailing early, down 10-7 after the first quarter. From there, however, they dominated and won the game easily 38-16. Montana was once again named MVP, this time completing 24 of his 35 passes for a then-Super Bowl record 331 yards and three touchdown passes.

Super Bowl XXIII (1989)

In 1989, San Francisco would win their first of back-to-back Super Bowls in Super Bowl XXIII. This game took place in Miami, Florida, and it saw the Bengals as San Francisco’s opponent for the second time in three appearances. Cincinnati took a 13-6 lead into the fourth quarter, but two fourth quarter touchdowns helped the 49ers come back to win 20-16. This time, wide receiver and all-time great Jerry Rice was named the game’s MVP, catching 11 passes for a Super Bowl record 215 yards and a touchdown.

Super Bowl XXIV (1990)

The 49ers followed up their 1989 Super Bowl title with another one the following year. The 1990 game, Super Bowl XXIV, pitted the defending champions against AFC champion Denver Broncos. In one of the most dominating performances in Super Bowl history, San Francisco destroyed the Broncos, winning 55-10. Both their 55 points and 45-point margin of victory are Super Bowl records that are yet to be broken. For the third and final time, Joe Montana would take home a Super Bowl MVP award, completing 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards and a record five touchdown passes.

Super Bowl XXIX (1995)

The most recent Super Bowl victory for the 49ers came in the 1995 edition, Super Bowl XXIX, in Miami, Florida. This time, it was the San Diego Chargers who felt the wrath of a dominant San Francisco team. While not quite the drubbing of five years prior, the 49ers still won in dominant fashion by a score of 49-26. As for the game’s MVP, Montana’s successor Steve Young would take home the award. Young bested his mentor’s record by throwing six touchdown passes, along with completing 24 of his 36 passes for 325 yards. 

FAQ