The New England Patriots hold the NFL record with 12 Super Bowl appearances. They have won 6 championships and lost 5, giving them a 54.5% win rate. The Patriots reached Super Bowl LX in 2026 for the first time after Tom Brady’s departure from the franchise.
Only one team has ever appeared in more Super Bowls than the Patriots. Their dominance under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady changed the franchise forever. Before 2000, the Patriots had appeared in just one Super Bowl in franchise history.
All Patriots Super Bowl Appearances
| Super Bowl | Year | Opponent | Result | Score |
| XX | 1986 | Chicago Bears | Loss | 46-10 |
| XXXI | 1997 | Green Bay Packers | Loss | 35-21 |
| XXXVI | 2002 | St. Louis Rams | Win | 20-17 |
| XXXVIII | 2004 | Carolina Panthers | Win | 32-29 |
| XXXIX | 2005 | Philadelphia Eagles | Win | 24-21 |
| XLII | 2008 | New York Giants | Loss | 17-14 |
| XLVI | 2012 | New York Giants | Loss | 21-17 |
| XLIX | 2015 | Seattle Seahawks | Win | 28-24 |
| LI | 2017 | Atlanta Falcons | Win | 34-28 |
| LII | 2019 | Philadelphia Eagles | Loss | 41-33 |
| LIII | 2019 | Los Angeles Rams | Win | 13-3 |
| LX | 2026 | Seattle Seahawks | Pending | TBD |
Era 1: Before Belichick (1986)
The Patriots struggled for decades before finding success. They made their first Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XX following the 1985 season. The Chicago Bears dominated them 46-10 at the Louisiana Superdome.
This was the only Super Bowl appearance in franchise history before 2000. The Patriots had a long drought ahead.
Era 2: Parcells and Carroll (1997)
Coach Bill Parcells brought the Patriots back to the Super Bowl in Super Bowl XXXI after the 1996 season. They faced the Green Bay Packers on a neutral field. New England lost 35-21 in a disappointing performance.
This appearance was followed by another drought. The Patriots wouldn’t return to the Super Bowl for four more years.
Era 3: The Brady-Belichick Dynasty (2000-2019)
The 2000 hiring of Bill Belichick as head coach changed everything. Tom Brady entered as a sixth-round draft pick in 2000. When Drew Bledsoe got injured in week 2 of 2001, Brady took over.
The Patriots reached their third Super Bowl after just that first season with Brady. This began the most dominant era in NFL history.
First Three Consecutive Victories (2001-2004)
Super Bowl XXXVI (2002):
- Opponent: St. Louis Rams
- Score: Patriots 20, Rams 17
- Location: Louisiana Superdome
- Star: Tom Brady (Super Bowl MVP)
- Significance: First Brady-Belichick championship
The Patriots defeated the heavily favored St. Louis Rams in a major upset. This victory launched the dynasty that would last two decades.
Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004):
- Opponent: Carolina Panthers
- Score: Patriots 32, Panthers 29
- Location: Reliant Stadium
- Star: Deion Branch (Super Bowl MVP)
- Note: Second consecutive championship
Super Bowl XXXIX (2005):
- Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
- Score: Patriots 24, Eagles 21
- Location: Allstate Arena
- Star: Deion Branch (Super Bowl MVP again)
- Significance: First repeat winners since Dallas
The Patriots became the first team since the Dallas Cowboys (1993-1994) to win back-to-back championships.
The Super Bowl Drought (2005-2014)
The Patriots made the playoffs consistently but didn’t return to the Super Bowl for nine years. They lost in the AFC Championship Games multiple times. This dry spell tested the organization’s resolve.
2007 Season: Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season but lost in the Super Bowl.
2011 Season: Patriots lost to the New York Giants again in the Super Bowl.
The Return (2014-2018)
Super Bowl XLIX (2015):
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- Opponent: Seattle Seahawks
- Score: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24
- Location: University of Phoenix Stadium
- Star: Tom Brady (Super Bowl MVP)
- Note: Controversial goal-line interception
The Patriots returned to the championship stage after a nine-year absence. Brady proved he still had championships left in him.
Super Bowl LI (2017):
- Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
- Score: Patriots 34, Falcons 28 (OT)
- Location: NRG Stadium
- Star: Tom Brady (Super Bowl MVP)
- Significance: First overtime Super Bowl
The Patriots overcame a 28-3 deficit midway through the third quarter. This comeback ranks among the greatest in NFL history. Brady led two scoring drives to tie the game.
Super Bowl LIII (2019):
- Opponent: Los Angeles Rams
- Score: Patriots 13, Rams 3
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Star: Julian Edelman (Super Bowl MVP)
- Note: Brady’s last Super Bowl with Patriots
The Patriots won their sixth championship. This was the last title with Brady in New England. Brady would win one more with Tampa Bay the next year.
Patriots Losses Under Brady
The Patriots lost critical Super Bowl matchups twice to the New York Giants:
Super Bowl XLII (2008):
- Giants 17, Patriots 14
- David Tyree’s helmet catch on final drive
Super Bowl XLVI (2012):
- Giants 21, Patriots 17
- Super Bowl rematch after four years
The Patriots also lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII (2019):
- Eagles 41, Patriots 33
- Brady threw 505 passing yards (Super Bowl record at the time)
- Patriots had record 613 total yards
Post-Brady Era: Super Bowl LX (2026)
The Patriots made Super Bowl LX after a six-year absence from the championship game. Drake Maye led them through the playoffs as the new franchise quarterback. The team defeated the Denver Broncos 10-7 in the AFC Championship Game.
Super Bowl LX Matchup:
- Opponent: Seattle Seahawks
- Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
- Date: February 8, 2026
- Significance: First Super Bowl without Brady since 2001
The Seahawks opened as favorites. This is the first time the Patriots entered a Super Bowl as clear underdogs in years.
Super Bowl Records and Statistics
Brady Era Dominance:
- 9 Super Bowl appearances with Brady (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLII, XLVI, XLIX, LI, LII, LIII)
- 6 championships with Brady
- 3 losses with Brady (2007 Giants, 2011 Giants, 2018 Eagles)
- Tom Brady won 7 Super Bowls total (6 with Patriots, 1 with Tampa)
Patriots All-Time Records:
- 12 total Super Bowl appearances (most in NFL history)
- 6 championships (tied with Pittsburgh Steelers)
- 5 losses (tied with Denver Broncos)
- 54.5% win rate overall
Bill Belichick Coaching Record:
- 9 Super Bowl appearances as head coach
- 6 Super Bowl victories
- 8 total Super Bowl wins including coordinator role (most by any individual)
Key Facts About Patriots Super Bowl Appearances
Consecutive Appearances:
- Made 4 of the last 5 Super Bowls from 2014-2018
- Made 3 straight Super Bowls from 2016-2018
- Made 8 Super Bowls in 18 years under Belichick (2000-2018)
Notable Streaks:
- 19 consecutive winning seasons from 2001-2019
- 17 AFC East division titles
- 13 AFC Championship Game appearances
Record Holders:
- Most Super Bowl appearances: 12 (Patriots)
- Most championship wins: 6 (Patriots, tied with Steelers)
- Most losses: 5 (Patriots, tied with Denver)
- Most appearances with same QB: 9 (Brady with Patriots)
FAQs
How many Super Bowls have the Patriots appeared in total?
The Patriots have appeared in 12 Super Bowls (XXXVI through LX), winning 6 championships and losing 5 games.
When did the Patriots first appear in a Super Bowl?
The Patriots’ first Super Bowl appearance was Super Bowl XX following the 1985 season, losing to the Chicago Bears 46-10.
How many Super Bowls did Tom Brady win with the Patriots?
Tom Brady won 6 Super Bowls with the Patriots (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII) and 1 more with Tampa Bay.
Which teams have the Patriots lost to in the Super Bowl?
The Patriots have lost to the Bears (1), Packers (1), Giants (2), and Eagles (1) in Super Bowl appearances.
When was the Patriots’ last Super Bowl championship before 2026?
The Patriots’ last Super Bowl victory was Super Bowl LIII following the 2018 season, defeating the Rams 13-3.
How many times did Tom Brady and Bill Belichick appear in the Super Bowl together?
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick appeared in 9 Super Bowls together, winning 6 and losing 3.
Have the Patriots ever won back-to-back Super Bowls?
Yes, the Patriots won back-to-back championships in Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX (2003-2004 seasons).
Who has won more Super Bowls, the Patriots or Steelers?
Both teams are tied with 6 Super Bowl championships, but the Patriots have appeared in more games (12 vs 8).
What is the Patriots’ Super Bowl win-loss record?
The Patriots have a 6-5 record in the Super Bowl, giving them a 54.5% win rate overall.
Is Super Bowl LX the Patriots’ first appearance without Tom Brady?
Yes, Super Bowl LX in 2026 is the Patriots’ first Super Bowl appearance since Tom Brady’s departure after the 2019 season.
