NFL Team Guide

San Francisco 49ers: History, Super Bowls & Facts

The San Francisco 49ers began in 1946 in the All-America Football Conference and joined the NFL in 1950. They won five Super Bowls between the 1981 and 1994 seasons.

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Quick facts

Founded	1946, in the All-America Football Conference; joined the NFL in 1950
Stadium	Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California (opened 2014)
Former stadiums	Kezar Stadium (1946–1970), Candlestick Park (1971–2013)
Super Bowl titles	5 (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, XXIX)
NFC championships	8 through the 2025 season (1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1994, 2012, 2019, 2023)

Super Bowl history

San Francisco won five Super Bowls in 14 seasons, from the 1981 season to the 1994 season. Through the 2025 season the team has played in eight Super Bowls.

Super Bowl XVI (1981 season): beat the Cincinnati Bengals 26–21
Super Bowl XIX (1984 season): beat the Miami Dolphins 38–16
Super Bowl XXIII (1988 season): beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20–16
Super Bowl XXIV (1989 season): beat the Denver Broncos 55–10
Super Bowl XXIX (1994 season): beat the San Diego Chargers 49–26
Super Bowl XLVII (2012 season): lost to the Baltimore Ravens 34–31
Super Bowl LIV (2019 season): lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 31–20
Super Bowl LVIII (2023 season): lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 25–22 in overtime

Franchise history

1946: Began play in the All-America Football Conference.
1950: Joined the NFL after the AAFC folded.
1971: Moved from Kezar Stadium to Candlestick Park.
1979: Hired head coach Bill Walsh and drafted quarterback Joe Montana.
1982: "The Catch" won the NFC Championship Game in January; the team then won Super Bowl XVI.
2014: Moved to Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

Franchise record holders

Passing yards	Joe Montana, 35,124
Rushing yards	Frank Gore, 11,073
Receiving yards	Jerry Rice, 19,247

Retired numbers

8Steve Young
12John Brodie
16Joe Montana
34Joe Perry
37Jimmy Johnson
39Hugh McElhenny
42Ronnie Lott
70Charlie Krueger
73Leo Nomellini
79Bob St. Clair
80Jerry Rice
87Dwight Clark

Hall of Famers

Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Ronnie Lott, Joe Perry, Hugh McElhenny, Leo Nomellini, Bob St. Clair, Y.A. Tittle, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Wilcox, Charles Haley, Bryant Young, Terrell Owens, Patrick Willis, Roger Craig, Bill Walsh, Edward DeBartolo Jr..

Biggest rivalries

Dallas Cowboys: nine playoff meetings between the 1970 and 2022 seasons, including the 1981 NFC Championship Game known for "The Catch."
Seattle Seahawks: NFC West rivals since 2002, with playoff meetings in the 2013, 2022 and 2025 seasons.
Los Angeles Rams: rivals since 1950 and division foes since 1967; they met in the 1989 and 2021 NFC Championship Games.

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San Francisco 49ers FAQ

How many Super Bowls have the 49ers won?

Five: Super Bowls XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV and XXIX, after the 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989 and 1994 seasons.

When did the 49ers last win the Super Bowl?

After the 1994 season, beating the San Diego Chargers 49–26 in Super Bowl XXIX.

Where do the 49ers play?

At Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, which opened in 2014. Before that they played at Candlestick Park and Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.

What was "The Catch"?

Dwight Clark's touchdown catch from Joe Montana in the January 1982 NFC Championship Game against Dallas. It sent San Francisco to its first Super Bowl.

Who has the most receiving yards in 49ers history?

Jerry Rice, with 19,247 yards from 1985 to 2000.

Sources

Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.

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