When Was the Last Time 49ers Went to Super Bowl?

By Sarah Miller · August 13, 2050

The San Francisco 49ers last appeared in the Super Bowl on February 12, 2023, when they faced the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. The game ended in a narrow 38-35 loss for the 49ers, marking their most recent appearance in the NFL's championship game.

When Did the 49ers Last Play in the Super Bowl?

The San Francisco 49ers' most recent Super Bowl appearance was Super Bowl LVII, which took place on February 12, 2023. The game was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. They faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs in a high-scoring, tightly contested matchup that ended with the Chiefs winning 38-35.

Key Details of Super Bowl LVII

Date: February 12, 2023
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
Final Score: Chiefs 38, 49ers 35
MVP: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs quarterback)
Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan (49ers)

49ers Super Bowl History Overview

The 49ers are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, with a rich legacy in the Super Bowl era. They have made multiple appearances and won six championships, tied for the second-most in league history.

Championship Wins and Appearances

Since their first Super Bowl win in 1982, the 49ers have been a dominant force during different eras, led by legendary figures such as Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, and more recently, Jimmy Garoppolo and Brock Purdy.

Super Bowl	Date	Opponent	Result	Score	Head Coach
Super Bowl XVI	Jan 24, 1982	Cincinnati Bengals	Win	26–21	Bill Walsh
Super Bowl XIX	Jan 20, 1985	Miami Dolphins	Win	38–16	Bill Walsh
Super Bowl XXIII	Jan 22, 1989	Cincinnati Bengals	Win	20–16	Bill Walsh
Super Bowl XXIV	Jan 28, 1990	Denver Broncos	Win	55–10	George Seifert
Super Bowl XXIX	Jan 29, 1995	San Diego Chargers	Win	49–26	George Seifert
Super Bowl LIV	Feb 2, 2020	Kansas City Chiefs	Loss	31–20	Kyle Shanahan
Super Bowl LVII	Feb 12, 2023	Kansas City Chiefs	Loss	38–35	Kyle Shanahan

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights the 49ers’ five Super Bowl victories and two recent losses. Their dominance in the 1980s and early 1990s under Bill Walsh and George Seifert established them as an NFL dynasty. Since 2020, they’ve returned to contention under Kyle Shanahan but lost both appearances to Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs teams. These close defeats underscore the team’s sustained excellence despite falling short of a seventh title.

Recent Playoff Runs Leading to Super Bowl LVII

Prior to Super Bowl LVII, the 49ers had reemerged as a powerhouse in the NFC under head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Their path to the 2022 season Super Bowl included victories over the Seattle Seahawks and the top-seeded Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs, followed by a dramatic NFC Championship win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Key Factors Behind Their 2022 Season Success

Strong defensive performance, particularly from edge rusher Nick Bosa
Effective running game featuring Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell
Tight end George Kittle’s consistent receiving production
Resilient coaching decisions in critical moments

Why the 49ers Lost Super Bowl LVII

Despite entering the game as slight favorites, the 49ers were unable to secure the win due to several key factors:

Injuries to key players: Starting quarterback Brock Purdy exited early with an elbow injury.
Penalties: The 49ers committed crucial penalties that extended Chiefs drives.
Red zone inefficiency: San Francisco settled for field goals instead of touchdowns in multiple red zone trips.
Patrick Mahomes’ resilience: Despite an ankle injury, Mahomes led two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 49ers and the Super Bowl

How many times have the 49ers been to the Super Bowl?

The San Francisco 49ers have appeared in the Super Bowl a total of 7 times: Super Bowls XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, XXIX, LIV, and LVII.

How many Super Bowls have the 49ers won?

The 49ers have won 5 Super Bowls: XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, and XXIX. They are tied with the Dallas Cowboys for the second-most Super Bowl wins in NFL history.

Who did the 49ers lose to in Super Bowl LVII?

The 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII with a final score of 38-35. The game was played on February 12, 2023.

Have the 49ers ever lost back-to-back Super Bowls?

No, the 49ers have not lost back-to-back Super Bowls. However, they lost Super Bowl LIV (2020) and Super Bowl LVII (2023), both to the Kansas City Chiefs, in separate seasons.

When was the 49ers' last Super Bowl win?

The 49ers' last Super Bowl victory was in 1995, when they defeated the San Diego Chargers 49–26 in Super Bowl XXIX. Head coach George Seifert and quarterback Steve Young led the team to its fifth title.