Which Teams Are in the Super Bowl? Full Breakdown

By Sarah Miller · January 12, 2047

The teams in the Super Bowl are determined annually through the NFL playoffs, with the winners of the AFC and NFC Championship Games facing off in the final. For Super Bowl LVII (2023), the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35. The upcoming Super Bowl LIX (2025) will be played on February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, with the participating teams to be determined in January 2025 after the conference championships.

Understanding the Super Bowl Qualification Process

The Super Bowl features the champions of the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). These two teams earn their spot by advancing through a multi-week playoff bracket following the regular NFL season.

How Teams Reach the Super Bowl

The NFL regular season runs from September to January, with 32 teams competing across two conferences (AFC and NFC), each divided into four divisions.
Seven teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs: four division winners and three wild-card teams with the best records.
The playoffs consist of three rounds: Wild Card Round, Divisional Round, and Conference Championships.
The winners of the AFC Championship Game and NFC Championship Game advance to the Super Bowl.

Historical Super Bowl Appearances and Wins

Certain franchises have dominated Super Bowl appearances due to sustained excellence. The New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and San Francisco 49ers lead in both appearances and victories. Below is a detailed table of the most successful teams in Super Bowl history.

Team	Super Bowl Wins	Super Bowl Appearances	Last Win	Last Appearance
Pittsburgh Steelers	6	8	2009 (XLIII)	2011 (XLV)
San Francisco 49ers	5	7	2020 (LIV)	2020 (LIV)
Dallas Cowboys	5	8	1996 (XXX)	1996 (XXX)
New England Patriots	6	11	2019 (LIII)	2019 (LIII)
Kansas City Chiefs	4	5	2023 (LVII)	2024 (LVIII)
Green Bay Packers	4	5	2011 (XLV)	2015 (XLIX)
New York Giants	4	5	2012 (XLVI)	2012 (XLVI)

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows that while the Steelers, Patriots, and 49ers are tied at six wins, the Patriots have made the most appearances. The Kansas City Chiefs have emerged as a modern powerhouse, appearing in four of the last five Super Bowls under head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Recent Super Bowl Participants (2020–2024)

In recent years, the landscape of Super Bowl contenders has shifted, with younger quarterbacks leading new dynasties. Here's a summary of the past five matchups:

Super Bowl LIII (2019): New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams
Super Bowl LIV (2020): Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl LV (2021): Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Super Bowl LVI (2022): Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Super Bowl LVII (2023): Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl LVIII (2024): Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers

Factors That Influence Super Bowl Success

Several key elements contribute to a team’s ability to reach and win the Super Bowl:

Quarterback Leadership

An elite quarterback remains the most critical factor. Tom Brady (7 wins), Patrick Mahomes (3 wins), and Joe Montana (4 wins) exemplify how franchise-defining QBs elevate teams consistently.

Coaching Excellence

Legendary coaches like Bill Belichick, Andy Reid, and Bill Walsh built systems that maximized talent and adapted under pressure.

Depth and Roster Balance

Teams must excel on offense, defense, and special teams. The 2023 Chiefs succeeded due to a resilient defense and clutch kicking, despite offensive inconsistencies.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Super Bowl Teams

Which teams are playing in the Super Bowl 2025?

The teams for Super Bowl LIX (2025) have not yet been determined. They will be known after the AFC and NFC Championship Games, scheduled for January 26, 2025. The game will be played on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans.

How do teams qualify for the Super Bowl?

Teams qualify by winning their respective conference championship games. The AFC and NFC winners from the NFL playoffs face each other in the Super Bowl.