What Year Did the Broncos Win the Super Bowl?

By Sarah Miller · May 26, 2046

The Denver Broncos have won the Super Bowl three times, in the following years: 1998 (Super Bowl XXXII), 1999 (Super Bowl XXXIII), and 2016 (Super Bowl 50). All three victories came after the respective regular seasons, with the Super Bowl games played in January or February of the following calendar year.

Denver Broncos' Super Bowl Wins: A Complete Overview

The Denver Broncos, one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, have captured the Lombardi Trophy three times. Their victories span two dominant eras led by legendary quarterbacks John Elway and Peyton Manning. These wins solidified the team's legacy and brought championship glory to the city of Denver.

Why Is There Confusion About What Year the Broncos Won the Super Bowl?

The NFL season spans two calendar years, leading many fans to confuse the year of the regular season with the Super Bowl game date.
For example, Super Bowl 50 was played in February 2016, but it concluded the 2015 NFL season.
This often leads to questions like "Did the Broncos win the Super Bowl in 2015 or 2016?"—the correct answer being 2016 for the game itself.

Year-by-Year Breakdown of Broncos Super Bowl Victories

Each of the Broncos’ Super Bowl wins marked a turning point in franchise history. Below is a detailed look at each championship season.

Super Bowl XXXII: 1998 Season (Game Played in January 1998)

The Broncos ended decades of playoff frustration by winning their first Super Bowl. Led by quarterback John Elway and running back Terrell Davis, they defeated the Green Bay Packers 31–24 in San Diego.

Season: 1997
Super Bowl Date: January 25, 1998
Opponent: Green Bay Packers
Final Score: 31–24
MVP: Terrell Davis

Super Bowl XXXIII: 1999 Season (Game Played in January 1999)

The Broncos repeated as champions, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34–19. John Elway, in his final NFL season, earned Super Bowl MVP honors.

Season: 1998
Super Bowl Date: January 31, 1999
Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
Final Score: 34–19
MVP: John Elway

Super Bowl 50: 2016 Season (Game Played in February 2016)

After a 17-year championship drought, the Broncos returned to glory by defeating the Carolina Panthers 24–10. The victory was fueled by a dominant defense led by Von Miller, who was named MVP.

Season: 2015
Super Bowl Date: February 7, 2016
Opponent: Carolina Panthers
Final Score: 24–10
MVP: Von Miller

Super Bowl	Date	Season	Opponent	Final Score	MVP	Location
XXXII	January 25, 1998	1997	Green Bay Packers	31–24	Terrell Davis	San Diego, CA
XXXIII	January 31, 1999	1998	Atlanta Falcons	34–19	John Elway	Miami, FL
50	February 7, 2016	2015	Carolina Panthers	24–10	Von Miller	Santa Clara, CA

Table data source:1, 2

The table clearly shows that while the Broncos won championships following the 1997, 1998, and 2015 seasons, the actual Super Bowl games were played in early 1998, 1999, and 2016, respectively. This distinction is crucial when answering the question of what year the Broncos won the Super Bowl. The decisive factor is the game date, not the season year.

Key Players Behind the Broncos' Super Bowl Wins

Each championship run featured iconic players who defined an era.

John Elway: Hall of Fame quarterback who led the team to back-to-back titles and retired as a champion.
Terrell Davis: Running back who rushed for over 1,700 yards in 1998 and delivered clutch performances in the playoffs.
Von Miller: Defensive leader in Super Bowl 50, whose pressure on Cam Newton changed the game’s outcome.
Peyton Manning: Future Hall of Famer who guided the Broncos to their third title in his final season.

Common Questions About the Broncos and the Super Bowl

What year did the Broncos win the Super Bowl?

The Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl in 1998 (Super Bowl XXXII), 1999 (Super Bowl XXXIII), and 2016 (Super Bowl 50). These games concluded the 1997, 1998, and 2015 NFL seasons, respectively.

How many Super Bowls have the Broncos won?

The Denver Broncos have won three Super Bowls in franchise history. They have appeared in eight total Super Bowl games, the most losses (five) by any team.

Who was the MVP in the Broncos' last Super Bowl win?

Von Miller was named Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl 50 (2016). His relentless pass rush on Cam Newton, including two forced fumbles, was instrumental in the Broncos' 24–10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Did Peyton Manning win a Super Bowl with the Broncos?

Yes, Peyton Manning won Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos in February 2016. It was the second Super Bowl victory of his career and his final NFL game before retirement.

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

The last time the Denver Broncos appeared in the Super Bowl was February 7, 2016, when they defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. They have not returned since.