NFL Team Guide
Atlanta Falcons: History, Super Bowls & Facts
The Atlanta Falcons were awarded to Atlanta in 1965 and began play in 1966. They have reached two Super Bowls, after the 1998 and 2016 seasons.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | Awarded 1965; first season 1966 |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl appearances | 2 (XXXIII, LI) |
| NFC titles | 2 (1998, 2016 seasons) |
| Stadium | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (since 2017); Georgia Dome (1992–2016); Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium (1966–1991) |
| Ring of Honor | Established 2004 |
Super Bowl history
Through the 2025 season Atlanta had not won a Super Bowl. Its best finishes are NFC championships after the 1998 and 2016 seasons.
- 1998 season: beat Minnesota 30–27 in overtime in the NFC Championship Game
- Super Bowl XXXIII (1998 season): lost to the Denver Broncos 34–19
- 2016 season: beat the Green Bay Packers 44–21 in the NFC Championship Game
- Super Bowl LI (2016 season): lost to the New England Patriots 34–28 in overtime after leading 28–3
- Division titles: 1980, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2016
Franchise history
- 1965: Atlanta was granted an NFL franchise on June 30; Rankin Smith Sr. was the first owner.
- 1966: Played the first season; Tommy Nobis was the team's first draft pick.
- 1978: Made the playoffs for the first time.
- 1992: Moved into the Georgia Dome.
- 2002: Arthur Blank bought the team.
- 2016: Matt Ryan was named NFL MVP and Atlanta reached Super Bowl LI.
- 2017: Opened Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Franchise record holders
| Passing yards | Matt Ryan, 59,735 |
|---|---|
| Rushing yards | Gerald Riggs, 6,631 |
| Receiving yards | Julio Jones, 12,896 |
Retired numbers
- 10Steve Bartkowski
- 31William Andrews
- 57Jeff Van Note
- 60Tommy Nobis
Hall of Famers
Claude Humphrey.
Biggest rivalries
- New Orleans Saints: division rivals since 1970, first in the NFC West and in the NFC South from 2002.
- Carolina Panthers: division rivals since the Panthers began play in 1995.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: NFC South rivals since 2002.
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Have the Falcons ever won a Super Bowl?
No. Through the 2025 season Atlanta had played in two Super Bowls, losing XXXIII to Denver and LI to New England.
What happened in Super Bowl LI?
Atlanta led New England 28–3 in the third quarter but lost 34–28 in the first Super Bowl decided in overtime.
What is the Falcons Ring of Honor?
The team's way of honoring its greats, established in 2004. Matt Ryan and owner Arthur Blank were inducted in 2024.
Who was the Falcons' first draft pick?
Linebacker Tommy Nobis, taken first overall in the 1966 draft.
Which Hall of Famer is most associated with the Falcons?
Defensive end Claude Humphrey, who played for Atlanta from 1968 to 1978 and was inducted in 2014.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.