The Seattle Seahawks have appeared in 4 Super Bowls across their franchise history. They have won 1 championship and lost 3 games, giving them a 25% win rate. The Seahawks reached Super Bowl LX in 2026 for their fourth appearance.
The franchise struggled for decades before reaching the Super Bowl. Their first appearance didn’t come until 2005, nearly 30 years after joining the NFL. Since then, they’ve become a consistent playoff contender and occasional championship threat.
All Seahawks Super Bowl Appearances
| Super Bowl | Year | Opponent | Result | Score | Location |
| XL | 2006 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Loss | 21-10 | Detroit, Michigan |
| XLVIII | 2014 | Denver Broncos | Win | 43-8 | East Rutherford, New Jersey |
| XLIX | 2015 | New England Patriots | Loss | 28-24 | Phoenix, Arizona |
| LX | 2026 | New England Patriots | Pending | TBD | Santa Clara, California |
Era 1: The Long Drought (1976-2004)
The Seahawks entered the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team. They competed for nearly three decades without reaching a Super Bowl. The franchise experienced some playoff success but never broke through to the championship game.
Notable Early Moments:
- 1978: First winning season (9-7 record)
- 1979: Chuck Knox wins NFL Coach of the Year
- 1983: AFC Championship Game appearance (lost to LA Raiders)
- 1984-2004: No playoff appearances for 21 years
The 1990s were particularly difficult. The Seahawks had the franchise’s worst season ever in 1992 with a 2-14 record. They remained a struggling franchise for most of their first three decades.
Era 2: The First Super Bowl (2005 Season)
The Seahawks finally broke through in the 2005 season. They finished with a 13-3 record and the #1 seed in the NFC. The team had developed into a legitimate playoff contender.
The Road to Super Bowl XL:
- Defeated Washington Redskins in Divisional Round
- Won NFC Championship over Carolina Panthers
- Advanced to Super Bowl XL as an NFC champion
Super Bowl XL (2006 Super Bowl):
- Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Score: Steelers 21, Seahawks 10
- Location: Ford Field (Detroit, Michigan)
- Date: February 5, 2006
- Star: Matt Hasselbeck (Seahawks QB)
The Seahawks played well but lost to the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers defense. The game was controversial, with officials missing several critical calls. Coach Mike Holmgren led them to the title game but couldn’t capture the championship.
After this run, the Seahawks didn’t return to the Super Bowl for nearly a decade. They made the playoffs but couldn’t advance to the championship game.
Era 3: The Legion of Boom (2013-2014)
The 2013 season brought the Seattle Seahawks back to prominence. They drafted Russell Wilson in 2012, and he quickly became one of the NFL’s elite young quarterbacks. The defense became legendary.
The Legion of Boom Defense:
- Richard Sherman (cornerback)
- Kam Chancellor (safety)
- Earl Thomas (safety)
- Michael Bennett (defensive end)
- Brandon Browner (cornerback)
These players formed one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history. The unit led the NFL in points allowed and interceptions. Their aggressive, hard-hitting style changed the way defensive backs played the position.
2013 Season Record:
- 13-3 regular season record
- Won NFC West division
- Home-field advantage throughout playoffs
- Points for: 417 (strong offense)
- Points against: 231 (historic defense)
Super Bowl XLVIII Dominant Performance:
The Seahawks faced the heavily favored Denver Broncos offense. The game became a showcase for the Legion of Boom.
Super Bowl XLVIII (2014 Super Bowl):
- Opponent: Denver Broncos
- Score: Seahawks 43, Broncos 8
- Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
- Date: February 2, 2014
- MVP: Malcolm Smith (linebacker)
- Significance: First Super Bowl championship in franchise history
The Seahawks led 22-0 at halftime. They scored on their first seven possessions of the game. The 43-8 victory is tied for the third-largest point differential in Super Bowl history.
Game Highlights:
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- Malcolm Smith: 69-yard interception return for TD
- Russell Wilson: Outstanding QB performance
- Defense: Held Broncos to just 8 points
- Largest margin for an underdog Super Bowl winner
The win was the franchise’s first championship after 38 years of existence. The Legion of Boom had delivered on its promise.
Era 4: The Comeback Loss (2014 Season)
The Seahawks returned to the Super Bowl the very next year. This time, they faced the defending champion New England Patriots. The game became one of the most controversial in Super Bowl history.
Super Bowl XLIX (2015 Super Bowl):
- Opponent: New England Patriots
- Score: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24
- Location: University of Phoenix Stadium (Phoenix, Arizona)
- Date: February 1, 2015
- MVP: Tom Brady (Patriots QB)
- Controversial Play: Goal-line interception
The Seahawks were favored to win. They had the Legion of Boom still in their prime. The Patriots entered as defending champions but as underdogs in terms of talent.
The Controversial Ending:
- Seahawks led 24-14 with 2:02 left in the game
- Patriots scored a touchdown to make it 24-21
- Seahawks got the ball back with 1:06 left
- Ran only one play before Patriots intercepted the pass
- Many fans criticized the call to pass instead of run Marshawn Lynch
The goal-line interception remains one of the most debated plays in NFL history. Many believe running the ball would have resulted in a Seahawks victory and back-to-back championships.
Era 5: The Dry Spell (2015-2025)
After losing Super Bowl XLIX, the Seahawks entered a decade-long drought. They made the playoffs several times but couldn’t return to the Super Bowl. The Legion of Boom eventually aged out of their prime.
Notable Events:
- 2015-2019: Consistent playoff team but never reached Super Bowl
- 2016: Missed playoffs
- 2017-2018: Wild Card round exits
- 2019: Wild Card round exit
- 2020-2024: Missing playoffs or early exits
The team remained competitive but couldn’t recapture the magic. Russell Wilson eventually left the franchise, and the defense got older.
Era 6: The Return (2025 Season)
The Seahawks surprisingly returned to the Super Bowl in 2025. Sam Darnold emerged as an excellent quarterback. Mike Macdonald took over as head coach with a suffocating defense.
2025 Season Achievement:
- 14-3 regular season record (best in franchise history)
- Won NFC West division
- #1 seed in NFC playoffs
Path to Super Bowl LX:
- Defeated San Francisco 49ers 41-6 in Divisional Round
- Defeated Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in NFC Championship Game
- Advanced to Super Bowl LX against Patriots
Super Bowl LX (2026):
- Opponent: New England Patriots
- Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
- Date: February 8, 2026
- Expected Matchup: Seahawks favored as slight favorites
The Seahawks enter as slight favorites. This is their rematch with the Patriots from Super Bowl XLIX, 11 years later.
Super Bowl Records and Statistics
Seahawks All-Time Records:
- 4 total Super Bowl appearances (XL, XLVIII, XLIX, LX)
- 1 championship (Super Bowl XLVIII)
- 3 losses (XL, XLIX, and pending LX result)
- 25% win rate overall
Notable Super Bowl Achievements:
- Largest margin as underdog: 35 points (Super Bowl XLVIII)
- Scored 43 points vs Denver Broncos
- Held Denver Broncos to 8 points
Russell Wilson Super Bowl Record:
- 3 appearances (XLVIII, XLIX, and attended as former player)
- 1 win (Super Bowl XLVIII)
- 1 loss (Super Bowl XLIX, goal-line interception)
Legion of Boom Legacy:
- Defined the 2013-2015 era
- Changed defensive back play around the NFL
- Won 1 Super Bowl championship
- Made 2 consecutive Super Bowl appearances
Franchise Streaks:
- Made 2 consecutive Super Bowls (2013-2014 seasons)
- Playoff drought: 21 years (1984-2005)
- Super Bowl appearance drought: 10 years (2005-2014, 2015-2026)
Key Facts About Seahawks Super Bowl Appearances
Championship History:
- First Super Bowl appearance: Super Bowl XL (2005 season)
- First Super Bowl championship: Super Bowl XLVIII (2013 season)
- Only 1 championship in franchise history
Notable Records:
- 14-3 season in 2025 (best regular season record)
- 13-3 seasons in 2005 and 2013 (rare excellence)
- Legion of Boom defense one of greatest ever
- Malcolm Smith’s 69-yard interception return (Super Bowl XLVIII)
Quarterback Success:
- Russell Wilson: 2 Super Bowl appearances
- Sam Darnold: Led team to Super Bowl LX
- Matt Hasselbeck: Led team to Super Bowl XL
- Wilson was the rare young QB to reach multiple Super Bowls
FAQs
How many Super Bowls have the Seahawks appeared in?
The Seahawks have appeared in 4 Super Bowls (XL, XLVIII, XLIX, LX), winning only Super Bowl XLVIII.
When did the Seahawks win their first Super Bowl?
The Seahawks won their first Super Bowl championship in Super Bowl XLVIII, defeating the Denver Broncos 43-8 on February 2, 2014.
Have the Seahawks ever won a Super Bowl?
Yes, the Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII with a dominant 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos using their legendary Legion of Boom defense.
What was the goal-line interception in Super Bowl XLIX?
With 1:06 left in Super Bowl XLIX, the Patriots intercepted a pass from Russell Wilson on the one-yard line instead of the Seahawks running Marshawn Lynch.
Who is Malcolm Smith in Seahawks Super Bowl history?
Malcolm Smith was the linebacker who won Super Bowl XLVIII MVP with a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown against Denver.
What is the Legion of Boom?
The Legion of Boom was the legendary Seahawks defense featuring Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, and Michael Bennett from 2012-2015.
How many times did Russell Wilson appear in the Super Bowl?
Russell Wilson appeared in 2 Super Bowls (XLVIII and XLIX), winning one and losing one as the Seahawks quarterback.
When is Super Bowl LX for the Seahawks?
Super Bowl LX is scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California against the New England Patriots.
What was the Seahawks’ best regular season record?
The Seahawks’ best regular season record was 14-3 in the 2025 season, which led to their Super Bowl LX appearance.
Have the Seahawks ever played the Patriots before in the Super Bowl?
Yes, the Seahawks played the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX on February 1, 2015, losing 28-24 in a controversial ending.
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