How Many Super Bowls Have Dallas Won? 5 Championships Explained

By Sarah Miller · October 3, 2043

The Dallas Cowboys have won a total of five Super Bowls in their franchise history, capturing championships in Super Bowl VI, XII, XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX.

Overview of the Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl Victories

The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most iconic franchises in NFL history. Known as 'America's Team,' they have made eight Super Bowl appearances and secured victory in five of them. Their success spans three different decades, highlighting sustained excellence during key eras of professional football.

Years the Cowboys Won the Super Bowl

Super Bowl VI: January 16, 1972 (1971 season)
Super Bowl XII: January 15, 1978 (1977 season)
Super Bowl XXVII: January 31, 1993 (1992 season)
Super Bowl XXVIII: January 30, 1994 (1993 season)
Super Bowl XXX: January 28, 1996 (1995 season)

Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl Appearances and Results

Beyond their wins, the Cowboys have also experienced defeat on the sport’s biggest stage. A complete breakdown of all eight appearances provides context for their legacy in postseason play.

Super Bowl	Date	Opponent	Result	Score	MVP
VI	Jan 16, 1972	Miami Dolphins	Win	24–3	Chuck Howley
X	Jan 17, 1976	Pittsburgh Steelers	Loss	21–17	—
XII	Jan 15, 1978	Denver Broncos	Win	27–10	Randy White & Harvey Martin
XIII	Jan 21, 1979	Pittsburgh Steelers	Loss	35–31	—
XXVII	Jan 31, 1993	Buffalo Bills	Win	52–17	Troy Aikman
XXVIII	Jan 30, 1994	Buffalo Bills	Win	30–13	Emmitt Smith
XXX	Jan 28, 1996	Pittsburgh Steelers	Win	27–17	Emmitt Smith
XXX	Feb 4, 1996	New England Patriots	Loss	20–17	—

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows that the Cowboys achieved a perfect 5–0 record in Super Bowls from 1972 to 1996 when facing teams other than the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. Their highest margin of victory came in Super Bowl XXVII, a dominant 52–17 win over the Buffalo Bills, widely regarded as one of the most lopsided outcomes in Super Bowl history.

Eras of Dominance

The Cowboys' Super Bowl wins reflect two golden periods in franchise history.

The Early Success: 1970s

Under head coach Tom Landry, the Cowboys won their first Super Bowl title in 1972 (Super Bowl VI), defeating the Miami Dolphins. This victory marked the culmination of years of near-misses, including losses in Super Bowls V and X. Their second win came in 1978 against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII, solidifying their status as a powerhouse.

The Dynasty Years: 1990s

With head coach Jimmy Johnson and later Barry Switzer, the Cowboys entered a new era of dominance in the 1990s. Led by Hall of Famers Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, they won three Super Bowls in four years (XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX), becoming the only team to achieve this feat between 1992 and 1996.

Notable Players and MVP Performances

Several Cowboys players earned Super Bowl MVP honors:

Chuck Howley (Super Bowl VI): The only player from the losing team ever to win Super Bowl MVP, but Howley actually won it with a winning team — a common misconception corrected here. He recorded two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Randy White & Harvey Martin (Super Bowl XII): Co-MVPs, the only time this has happened in Super Bowl history. Both defensive linemen played pivotal roles in the win over Denver.
Troy Aikman (Super Bowl XXVII): Threw for 4 touchdowns with zero interceptions, leading a record-setting offensive performance.
Emmitt Smith (Super Bowl XXVIII & XXX): First running back to earn multiple Super Bowl MVP awards. Rushed for 132 yards and 2 TDs in XXVIII despite an early fumble.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Wins

How many Super Bowls have the Dallas Cowboys won?

The Dallas Cowboys have won five Super Bowls: Super Bowl VI, XII, XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX.

Which years did the Cowboys win the Super Bowl?

The Cowboys won Super Bowls in the following seasons: 1971 (VI), 1977 (XII), 1992 (XXVII), 1993 (XXVIII), and 1995 (XXX).

Who was the MVP in each of the Cowboys' Super Bowl wins?

MVPs were: Chuck Howley (VI), Randy White & Harvey Martin (XII, co-MVPs), Troy Aikman (XXVII), Emmitt Smith (XXVIII and XXX).

Have the Cowboys won a Super Bowl since 1996?

No, the Cowboys last won a Super Bowl in January 1996 (Super Bowl XXX). They have not appeared in a Super Bowl since then, making it one of the longest active droughts among major NFL franchises.

Who did the Cowboys beat in their Super Bowl victories?

The Cowboys defeated the Miami Dolphins (VI), Denver Broncos (XII), and Buffalo Bills twice (XXVII, XXVIII), and the Pittsburgh Steelers (XXX) in their championship wins.