How Many Times Have the Patriots Been in the Super Bowl?

By Sarah Miller · July 30, 2039

The New England Patriots have appeared in the Super Bowl 11 times, winning 6 championships and losing 5 times. This places them among the most successful franchises in NFL history in terms of Super Bowl appearances and victories.

Super Bowl History of the New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are one of the most iconic teams in the National Football League (NFL), largely due to their remarkable success in the Super Bowl era. Their first appearance dates back to Super Bowl XX in 1986, but their dynasty began in the early 2000s under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.

Key Highlights of Patriots' Super Bowl Journey

First Super Bowl appearance: Super Bowl XX (1986)
First Super Bowl win: Super Bowl XXXVI (2002)
Most recent appearance: Super Bowl LIII (2019)
Total wins: 6
Total losses: 5
Longest gap between appearances: 14 years (1986–2001)
Most consecutive appearances: 3 (Super Bowls XLIX, LI, LII – 2015 to 2017 seasons)

Breakdown of All Patriots Super Bowl Appearances

The Patriots' Super Bowl record reflects a mix of dramatic victories and heartbreaking defeats. Below is a detailed table of each appearance, including the result, score, MVP, and venue.

Super Bowl	Date	Opponent	Result	Score	MVP	Venue
XX	Jan 26, 1986	Chicago Bears	Lost	10–46	Richard Dent	Louisiana Superdome
XXXVI	Feb 3, 2002	St. Louis Rams	Won	20–17	Tom Brady	Mercedes-Benz Superdome
XXXVIII	Feb 1, 2004	Carolina Panthers	Won	32–29	Tom Brady	Reliant Stadium
XXXIX	Feb 6, 2005	Philadelphia Eagles	Won	24–21	Deion Branch	Alltel Stadium
XLII	Feb 3, 2008	New York Giants	Lost	14–17	Eli Manning	University of Phoenix Stadium
XLVI	Feb 5, 2012	New York Giants	Lost	17–21	Eli Manning	Lucas Oil Stadium
XLIX	Feb 1, 2015	Seattle Seahawks	Won	28–24	Tom Brady	University of Phoenix Stadium
LI	Feb 5, 2017	Atlanta Falcons	Won	34–28 (OT)	Tom Brady	NRG Stadium
LII	Feb 4, 2018	Philadelphia Eagles	Lost	33–41	Nick Foles	U.S. Bank Stadium
LIII	Feb 3, 2019	Los Angeles Rams	Won	13–3	Julian Edelman	Mercedes-Benz Stadium
LVI	Feb 13, 2022	Not Applicable	Did not qualify	—	—	SoFi Stadium

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that the Patriots achieved their greatest success between 2001 and 2019, reaching nine Super Bowls in 18 seasons. Their 6 wins tie them with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl victories in NFL history. The team's three losses to the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles were particularly notable, as they disrupted potential perfect seasons and dynastic runs.

Patriots' Super Bowl Wins and Legacy

The Patriots' six Super Bowl victories came in three separate decades, highlighting sustained excellence. Their wins in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX established a dynasty in the early 2000s. After setbacks in XLII and XLVI, they rebounded with wins in XLIX, LI, and LIII, cementing their legacy as a modern-era powerhouse.

Why the Patriots Dominated the 2000s and 2010s

Tom Brady's elite performance under pressure
Bill Belichick's strategic coaching and adaptability
Strong team culture focused on discipline and preparation
Consistent roster management and draft efficiency
Clutch performances in high-pressure games

Frequently Asked Questions About the Patriots and the Super Bowl

How many Super Bowls have the Patriots won?

The New England Patriots have won 6 Super Bowls: XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, and LIII.

Who has the most Super Bowl wins in Patriots history?

Tom Brady holds the record with 6 Super Bowl wins as the starting quarterback for the Patriots, more than any other player in franchise history.

When was the last time the Patriots went to the Super Bowl?

The Patriots last appeared in the Super Bowl on February 3, 2019, winning Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams with a score of 13–3.

Which teams have beaten the Patriots in the Super Bowl?

The Patriots have lost Super Bowls to the Chicago Bears (XX), New York Giants (XLII, XLVI), and Seattle Seahawks (LII).

Have the Patriots ever had a perfect season?

The Patriots completed a 16–0 regular season in 2007, becoming the first team to do so in the 16-game era. However, they lost Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants, finishing the season at 18–1, missing a perfect 19–0 record.