If you walk into a bar in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and ask a local how many championships their team has, you’re going to get a very specific, very proud answer: 13. But if you’re looking at the modern record books to see how many times has Green Bay won the Super Bowl, the number is actually four.
Wait. Why the discrepancy? It basically comes down to how you define "champion."
The Green Bay Packers were winning league titles back when players still wore leather helmets and didn't make enough money to quit their day jobs. They won nine NFL championships before the Super Bowl was even a "thing." But since the AFL-NFL merger and the dawn of the Super Bowl era in 1967, the Packers have hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy four times. It’s a legacy that spans decades, styles of play, and three of the greatest quarterbacks to ever touch a pigskin.
How Many Times Has Green Bay Won the Super Bowl? (The Short Answer)
The Green Bay Packers have won the Super Bowl four times.
They won the first two ever played (Super Bowl I and II), then had to wait through a brutal 29-year drought before winning Super Bowl XXXI in the 90s, and finally adding their most recent piece of hardware in 2011 with Super Bowl XLV.
Honestly, their record in the big game is pretty impressive. They’ve only lost one Super Bowl in their entire history—a heartbreaker against the Denver Broncos in 1998. That puts their official Super Bowl record at 4-1.
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The Lombardi Era: Setting the Standard (I & II)
The story of the Packers' success is inextricably linked to the man whose name is literally on the trophy. Vince Lombardi. When the first-ever "AFL-NFL World Championship Game" kicked off on January 15, 1967, nobody really knew it would become the global spectacle it is today.
Super Bowl I (1967)
The Packers went up against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It wasn't even a sellout! You could buy a ticket for 12 bucks. Green Bay won 35-10, mostly thanks to Bart Starr’s surgical passing. Max McGee, a backup receiver who was reportedly nursing a hangover, came off the bench to catch two touchdowns. It’s the stuff of legends.
Super Bowl II (1968)
A year later, the Packers were back, this time in Miami against the Oakland Raiders. Lombardi knew he was likely coaching his last game for Green Bay. The team responded by dismantling the Raiders 33-14. Bart Starr won his second consecutive MVP award, and the "Packer Sweep" became the most feared play in football history.
The Return to Glory (XXXI)
For nearly three decades, Green Bay was a "frozen tundra" of mediocrity. The 70s and 80s were... rough.
Then came Brett Favre.
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By the time 1996 rolled around, the Packers were a juggernaut again. They headed to New Orleans for Super Bowl XXXI to face the New England Patriots. This game was wild. Favre threw a 54-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the game, but the real star was Desmond Howard. He returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, becoming the first (and only) special teams player to ever win Super Bowl MVP. Green Bay won 35-21, and the Lombardi Trophy finally returned to the city where it belonged.
The Aaron Rodgers Masterclass (XLV)
The most recent time Green Bay won the Super Bowl was February 6, 2011. This one felt different. The Packers were a six-seed, meaning they had to win three straight road games just to get to the Super Bowl.
They faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in North Texas. Aaron Rodgers was absolutely on fire, throwing for 304 yards and three touchdowns without a single interception. Despite a late rally by Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers, the Packers' defense held firm. Nick Collins had a massive pick-six, and Clay Matthews forced a crucial fumble. The final score was 31-25.
It was supposed to be the start of a new dynasty. Fans assumed Rodgers would win three or four more. Football is a funny game, though. Despite years of being a top contender, that 2011 ring remains the most recent addition to the trophy case.
Why People Get the Numbers Mixed Up
You’ll often see "13-time World Champions" plastered all over Lambeau Field. If you're wondering how many times has Green Bay won the Super Bowl, that 13 might confuse you.
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The Packers won NFL Championships in:
- 1929, 1930, 1931 (the "Hat Trick" years under Curly Lambeau)
- 1936, 1939, 1944
- 1961, 1962, 1965
Those nine titles happened before the Super Bowl era began. In fact, in 1966 and 1967, the Packers actually won both the NFL Championship and the Super Bowl. Back then, you had to win your own league first just to earn the right to play the AFL champion. So, while they have four Super Bowls, their total championship count is unmatched in NFL history.
The Lone Heartbreak: Super Bowl XXXII
You can't talk about the wins without mentioning the one that got away. In January 1998, the Packers were massive favorites against John Elway and the Denver Broncos. Most people thought Green Bay would cruise to a second straight title.
Instead, Terrell Davis ran all over the Packers' defense while battling a migraine. John Elway had his famous "helicopter" dive for a first down. The Packers lost 31-24. It’s still a sore spot for fans who believe that 90s team should have been a back-to-back dynasty.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Historians
If you're settling a bet or just trying to wrap your head around the math, here's the reality:
- Count the Rings: If someone asks for Super Bowl wins specifically, the answer is 4.
- Total Titles: If they ask for total NFL championships, the answer is 13.
- The MVP Factor: Three different Packers QBs have won Super Bowls (Starr, Favre, Rodgers). Only Bart Starr won two MVPs.
- The Droughts: The longest gap between wins was 29 years (1968 to 1997). We are currently in a 15-year gap since the last one.
The Packers are currently in a transitional era with Jordan Love under center, aiming to be the fourth "franchise guy" to bring a trophy back to 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Whether you're a die-hard cheesehead or just a casual fan, understanding the distinction between a "Super Bowl" and a "Championship" is the key to knowing your football history.
If you're planning a trip to the Packers Hall of Fame, make sure you look for the "pre-merger" section. Those nine trophies might not be Super Bowls, but they are the foundation of why Green Bay is called Titletown.