Have the Atlanta Falcons Ever Won a Super Bowl? A Local’s Guide to the Answer

If you live in Atlanta, you’ve probably heard the question more than once: “Have the Atlanta Falcons ever won a Super Bowl?”

The direct answer is: No — as of now, the Atlanta Falcons have never won a Super Bowl.

However, they’ve played in two Super Bowls and come achingly close, which is a big part of modern sports history in Atlanta.

Quick Snapshot: Falcons and the Super Bowl

Here’s a simple overview of the Atlanta Falcons’ Super Bowl history:

Key takeaway:

• The Falcons have appeared in two Super Bowls (1998 and 2016 seasons).
• They have not yet won a Super Bowl title.

How Close Have the Falcons Come to a Super Bowl Win?

Super Bowl XXXIII (1998 Season)

If you’ve been in Atlanta long enough, you’ll hear older fans talk about the “Dirty Bird” era.

• Season: 1998
• Head Coach: Dan Reeves
• Quarterback: Chris Chandler
• Highlight: The Falcons shocked the league by beating the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship.
• Super Bowl Result: Lost to the Denver Broncos 34–19 in Miami.

For fans in Atlanta, that season put the Falcons on the national map and introduced a generation to serious Super Bowl aspirations.

Super Bowl LI (2016 Season) – The 28–3 Game

For many Atlantans, Super Bowl LI is unforgettable.

• Season: 2016
• Head Coach: Dan Quinn
• Quarterback: Matt Ryan
• Star Receiver: Julio Jones
• Location: NRG Stadium, Houston
• Opponent: New England Patriots

The Falcons led 28–3 late in the third quarter, and many people around metro Atlanta were already thinking about a Super Bowl parade.

Then came one of the most dramatic comebacks in NFL history:

• The Patriots tied the game 28–28.
• The Super Bowl went into overtime for the first time ever.
• The Falcons lost 34–28.

In Atlanta, this game is often referenced simply as “28–3”, and it’s become part of the city’s sports identity — both as a painful memory and as a symbol of how passionate Falcons fans are.

What This Means If You’re a Football Fan in Atlanta

Even without a Super Bowl win, the Falcons are a major part of Atlanta’s culture. If you’re living in or visiting the city, here’s what this history means for you.

A Fanbase Built on Hope and Resilience

Because Atlanta has come close but not quite finished the job, the fan culture is:

• Passionate – Game days at Mercedes-Benz Stadium are loud and energetic.
• Optimistic – Many locals genuinely believe the first Super Bowl win is coming, and that they’ll be there when it happens.
• Shared Experience – Talking about 28–3 is almost a rite of passage in Atlanta sports conversations.

If you’re new to the city, understanding the Super Bowl history gives you instant conversation material with coworkers, neighbors, and fellow fans.

Where the Falcons Play in Atlanta Today

If you want to connect with the team beyond headlines about Super Bowls, Atlanta makes it easy.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

• Team: Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta United FC (MLS)
• Location: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Neighborhood: Downtown / Vine City area

This is where the Falcons are working toward that first Super Bowl title.

On a game day in Atlanta, you’ll notice:

• MARTA trains packed with fans heading to GWCC/CNN Center or Vine City stations.
• Tailgating and fan events around the Home Depot Backyard.
• The stadium’s signature retractable roof and massive halo video board — frequently showcasing highlights from those near-miss Super Bowl seasons.

Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, going to a Falcons game in Atlanta is a great way to feel the city’s energy and optimism about finally winning a championship.

How Atlanta Embraces Falcons History Around the City

Even though there’s no Super Bowl trophy yet, pieces of Falcons history are woven into Atlanta.

Local Spots Where the Past Lives On

If you’re curious about how the team’s story shows up around town:

• Sports bars in Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, and the Battery:
  You’ll regularly hear talk about the 1998 run and Super Bowl LI. Bars often show Falcons highlight reels and keep memorabilia on the walls.
• Team gear around the city:
  You’ll see #7, #2, and #11 jerseys from past stars alongside current players — a sign that locals keep the team’s near-Super Bowl seasons close.

Falcons in the Broader Atlanta Sports Picture

Atlanta isn’t just about the Falcons:

• Atlanta Braves (MLB) have multiple World Series titles.
• Atlanta United FC won the MLS Cup in 2018.
• Atlanta Dream (WNBA) have made multiple Finals appearances.

For many locals, the missing piece is a Falcons Super Bowl win — and that’s part of what keeps the city engaged each NFL season.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta and Curious About the Falcons

You don’t need to be a lifelong fan to appreciate the Falcons’ Super Bowl story.

Here are a few practical ways to connect with the team and its history during a visit:

1. Take a Stadium Tour

Mercedes-Benz Stadium typically offers guided tours that may include:

• Locker rooms (when available)
• Field-level views
• Behind-the-scenes operations

While you won’t see a Falcons Super Bowl trophy, you’ll see how the franchise is set up for the future — and how serious Atlanta is about staying in the Super Bowl conversation.

2. Catch a Home Game

If you’re in Atlanta during football season:

• Preseason: August
• Regular Season: September–January (playoffs if the team qualifies)

Game day in Atlanta gives you:

• The “Rise Up” atmosphere inside the stadium
• Fans wearing jerseys from both Super Bowl eras
• In-game features that highlight past playoff and Super Bowl runs

3. Explore Downtown on Game Days

Even if you don’t go into the stadium:

• The areas around Centennial Olympic Park, State Farm Arena, and CNN Center often have fan activity.
• You can feel how much the city still wants that first Super Bowl championship.

Why the Question Still Matters in Atlanta

The fact that the Falcons haven’t yet won a Super Bowl shapes how people in Atlanta talk about sports:

• It’s part of the city’s underdog narrative.
• It fuels debates about coaching, quarterbacks, and rebuilding.
• It gives fans a shared goal: being able to say, one day, that Atlanta finally did it.

So when someone in Atlanta asks, “Have the Falcons ever won a Super Bowl?”, they’re not just asking about history — they’re tapping into a citywide hope.

Clear Answer for Atlanta Fans and Visitors

To directly answer the core question:

• Have the Atlanta Falcons ever won a Super Bowl?
  No. They have not yet won a Super Bowl.

• Have they played in the Super Bowl?
  Yes. Twice — after the 1998 and 2016 seasons.

If you live in or visit Atlanta, you’re in a city that’s still chasing its first Lombardi Trophy, and every season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is another chance to change the answer to that question for good.