If you’re sitting at a bar in Indy or scrolling through sports trivia on your phone, you might think the answer is simple. One for Peyton, right? Maybe you remember another one from a long time ago.
Actually, the answer is two.
The Indianapolis Colts—and their predecessor, the Baltimore Colts—have secured two Super Bowl titles. They’ve been to the big dance four times total. It's a history split between two cities, a handful of Hall of Fame quarterbacks, and enough heartbreak to keep any fan on their toes.
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When you ask how many super bowls do the colts have, you aren’t just asking for a number. You’re asking about the difference between the 1970 Baltimore team that won "The Blunder Bowl" and the 2006 squad that finally got Peyton Manning over the hump in a rainy Miami night.
The First Ring: Baltimore Breaks Through in Super Bowl V
Long before the team packed up the Mayflower trucks and headed to Indiana, they were the darlings of Maryland. But their first Super Bowl experience wasn’t a victory. In 1969, the Colts were part of one of the most famous games in history: Super Bowl III.
They were 18-point favorites. Seriously.
Joe Namath famously "guaranteed" a win for the underdog New York Jets, and he delivered. The Colts lost 16–7, a defeat that still stings older Baltimore fans today. It was a massive upset that legitimized the AFL.
Two years later, they were back. Super Bowl V pitted the Baltimore Colts against the Dallas Cowboys. This game is legendary, but maybe for the wrong reasons. It’s often called the "Blunder Bowl" because the two teams combined for 11 turnovers.
Basically, it was a mess.
Johnny Unitas started the game, but he got knocked out with a rib injury. Earl Morrall, the veteran backup who had struggled in Super Bowl III, had to step in. In the end, a rookie kicker named Jim O'Brien nailed a 32-yard field goal with five seconds left to give the Colts a 16–13 win.
Oddly enough, the MVP of that game was Chuck Howley, a linebacker for the losing Cowboys. To this day, it's the only time a player from the losing team has won Super Bowl MVP.
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The Peyton Era: Super Bowl XLI and the Rain in Miami
Fast forward through a move to Indianapolis in 1984 and a long period of "good but not great" football. Then came Peyton Manning. For years, the narrative was that Manning was a regular-season genius who couldn't win the "big one."
That changed on February 4, 2007.
The Colts faced the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. It was the first time the game was played in a literal downpour. If you remember anything about this game, it’s probably Prince’s halftime show in the rain, or maybe Devin Hester returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown.
Indy fans were terrified. Down 7–0 before their offense even touched the ball? Not ideal.
But the Colts stayed steady. Manning was surgical, even if his stats weren't flashy—247 yards, one touchdown, and one pick. The real story was the defense and the running game. Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai tore through the Bears' defense, and Kelvin Hayden’s 56-yard pick-six of Rex Grossman sealed the deal.
How many super bowls do the colts have? After that night in Miami, the answer officially became two. Manning finally got his ring, Tony Dungy became the first Black head coach to win a Super Bowl, and Indianapolis finally had a world championship of its own.
The One That Got Away: Super Bowl XLIV
The Colts had a golden opportunity to make it three rings in 2010. They were dominant in the 2009 season, going 14–2. They faced the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.
The game was a chess match. Indy led 10–0 early, and it felt like another coronation for Manning. Then, the second half started with one of the gutsiest calls in NFL history: Sean Payton’s "Ambush" onside kick.
The Saints recovered. The momentum shifted.
The dagger came late in the fourth quarter. The Colts were driving to tie the game when Saints cornerback Tracy Porter jumped a route and intercepted Manning, taking it 74 yards for a touchdown.
Game over.
Beyond the Super Bowl Era: The Pre-66 Championships
It’s worth noting that if you talk to a real "old-school" football historian, they might argue the Colts have more than two titles. Before the Super Bowl existed, the Baltimore Colts were a powerhouse in the NFL.
They won back-to-back NFL Championships in 1958 and 1959.
The 1958 game against the New York Giants is widely called "The Greatest Game Ever Played." It was the first-ever NFL game to go into sudden-death overtime. Johnny Unitas led a legendary drive to set up Alan Ameche's winning touchdown.
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They also won the NFL Championship in 1968, though that season ended with the aforementioned loss to the Jets in Super Bowl III.
While these don't count toward the "How many super bowls do the colts have" tally, they are a massive part of the franchise's identity.
Summary of the Colts' Super Bowl Record
- Super Bowl III (1969): Lost to New York Jets (16–7)
- Super Bowl V (1971): Won vs. Dallas Cowboys (16–13)
- Super Bowl XLI (2007): Won vs. Chicago Bears (29–17)
- Super Bowl XLIV (2010): Lost to New Orleans Saints (31–17)
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of these championships, here is how you can truly experience the legacy:
- Watch the Highlights: Search for "NFL 1958 Championship highlights" to see why Unitas is the godfather of the modern passing game.
- Visit the Hall of Fame: If you're ever in Canton, Ohio, look for the displays on Super Bowl V and XLI. The artifacts from the 2006 run—including Manning’s jersey—are staples of the collection.
- Understand the Connection: Realize that the Colts are one of the few teams to win titles in two different cities. This creates a unique (and sometimes tense) shared history between Indy and Baltimore.
- Check the Record Books: Keep an eye on the current roster. With young talents like Anthony Richardson, the hunt for a third ring is the primary focus of the front office in the 2020s.