1977
Dallas Cowboys
Lost 23-6
NFC Championship Game, the season after Super Bowl XI.
Decided in regulation
Super Bowl record
0‑4
Four appearances between January 1970 and January 1977. No wins. Minnesota has not returned since.
Four gates to Sunday
Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl History
Four appearances. Four defining journeys.
Choose a gate
How many Super Bowls have the Vikings played in?
Four purple doors opened during one of the most successful periods in Minnesota Vikings history. The first led to New Orleans in January 1970. Three more followed before the end of the decade, taking Minnesota to Houston, back to New Orleans and finally Pasadena. Each journey ended without the Lombardi Trophy.
The Minnesota Vikings have appeared in four Super Bowls and lost all four. Their appearances came within an eight-season period under head coach Bud Grant, when Minnesota's defence, cold-weather strength and repeated division titles made the Vikings one of the NFL's defining teams. This page is part of our wider Vikings history archive.
The four appearances were not spread across separate generations. They came between January 1970 and January 1977, during the peak of the Bud Grant era.
- Super Bowl IV Kansas City Chiefs Chiefs 23, Vikings 7 Enter
- Super Bowl VIII Miami Dolphins Dolphins 24, Vikings 7 Enter
- Super Bowl IX Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers 16, Vikings 6 Enter
- Super Bowl XI Oakland Raiders Raiders 32, Vikings 14 Enter
Each gate carries its opponent, final score and date as ordinary text. Hovering only raises the light behind it.
| Super Bowl | Season | Opponent | Final score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Bowl IV | 1969 | Kansas City Chiefs | Chiefs 23, Vikings 7 | Tulane Stadium |
| Super Bowl VIII | 1973 | Miami Dolphins | Dolphins 24, Vikings 7 | Rice Stadium |
| Super Bowl IX | 1974 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Steelers 16, Vikings 6 | Tulane Stadium |
| Super Bowl XI | 1976 | Oakland Raiders | Raiders 32, Vikings 14 | Rose Bowl |
Minnesota's Super Bowl record is 0-4.
Super Bowl IV: Kansas City Chiefs 23, Minnesota Vikings 7
The record on the tunnel wall
1969 regular season
12-2
Minnesota reached its first Super Bowl after producing one of the strongest seasons in franchise history. The Vikings scored 379 points, allowed only 133 and won 12 consecutive games between their two regular-season defeats. More franchise marks are collected in the Vikings record book.
The route painted on the floor
- Western Conference ChampionshipVikings 23, Los Angeles Rams 20
- NFL Championship Game · January 4, 1970Vikings 27, Cleveland Browns 7 — the last NFL Championship Game before the league completed its merger with the AFL
Equipment on the hooks
Joe Kapp
Quarterback
Carl Eller
Defensive end
Jim Marshall
Defensive end
Alan Page
Defensive tackle
Gary Larsen
Defensive tackle
The moment at the tunnel opening
Quarterback Joe Kapp directed the offence. Minnesota defeated the Los Angeles Rams 23-20 in the Western Conference Championship before beating the Cleveland Browns 27-7 in the final NFL Championship Game before the league completed its merger with the AFL. The result made Minnesota the NFL champion and sent the Vikings to Super Bowl IV against the AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The Vikings entered the game as heavy favourites. Kansas City controlled it from the beginning.
Chiefs kicker Jan Stenerud made three field goals during the first half. Kansas City also scored on a Mike Garrett rushing touchdown, giving the Chiefs a 16-0 lead at half-time.
Minnesota finally reached the end zone in the third quarter when Dave Osborn completed a 69-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run. The Vikings had reduced the margin to 16-7, but Kansas City responded quickly.
Len Dawson found Otis Taylor for a 46-yard touchdown. Taylor broke away from the Minnesota defence and restored Kansas City's 16-point advantage.
The Chiefs intercepted Minnesota three times in the fourth quarter and completed a 23-7 victory. The Vikings rushed for only two first downs and committed five turnovers. Dawson was named the game's most valuable player.
Minnesota's own Super Bowl IV retrospective recounts the 12-game winning streak, the NFL Championship victory and the defeat against Kansas City.
The score above the exit
Final · Super Bowl IV
Kansas City23
Minnesota7
Three Jan Stenerud field goals and a Mike Garrett touchdown put Kansas City 16-0 up by half-time, and five Minnesota turnovers meant the Vikings never got the game back.
The side room off the first tunnel
Did the Vikings win the 1969 NFL Championship?
Yes. Minnesota won the 1969 NFL Championship by defeating the Cleveland Browns 27-7 on January 4, 1970. This can create confusion because the Vikings lost Super Bowl IV one week later.
Illuminated pedestal
1969
NFL Champions
Vikings 27, Cleveland Browns 7
January 4, 1970
Wall panel
How Minnesota can be an NFL champion without being a Super Bowl champion
Before the AFL and NFL completed their merger, the leagues crowned separate champions. Those champions then played in the AFL-NFL World Championship Game, which became known as the Super Bowl.
Minnesota was therefore the NFL champion for the 1969 season, but Kansas City won the final game between the two league champions.
The Vikings officially recognise the 1969 NFL Championship as a league title. It is not counted as a Super Bowl victory.
- WonThe 1969 NFL Championship. Minnesota beat the Cleveland Browns 27-7 on January 4, 1970 and was the NFL champion for the 1969 season.
- LostSuper Bowl IV. One week later, on January 11, 1970, the Kansas City Chiefs won 23-7. The Vikings' Super Bowl record remains 0-4.
Super Bowl VIII: Miami Dolphins 24, Minnesota Vikings 7
The record on the tunnel wall
1973 regular season
12-2
Four seasons passed before Minnesota returned to the Super Bowl. Fran Tarkenton was now back at quarterback after rejoining the Vikings in 1972. Minnesota opened the 1973 season with nine consecutive victories and finished 12-2.
The route painted on the floor
- Divisional roundVikings 27, Washington 20
- NFC Championship GameVikings 27, Dallas Cowboys 10
Equipment on the hooks
Fran Tarkenton
Quarterback
Mick Tingelhoff
Centre
Ron Yary
Offensive tackle
Carl Eller
Defensive end
Paul Krause
Safety
The moment at the tunnel opening
Their opponent in Super Bowl VIII was the defending champion Miami Dolphins. Miami had completed the NFL's only perfect season one year earlier. The Dolphins entered the game with a powerful running attack, an experienced offensive line and a defence that had already won a championship together.
Minnesota received the opening kickoff, but Miami controlled the ball and immediately established the terms of the game.
Larry Csonka scored on a five-yard run to complete Miami's first possession. Jim Kiick added another touchdown on the Dolphins' second drive. Miami ran 20 offensive plays in the first quarter. Minnesota ran only three.
The Vikings reached the Miami six-yard line late in the first half, but the opportunity disappeared when Oscar Reed fumbled. Minnesota entered half-time trailing 17-0.
Csonka scored again during the third quarter. He finished with 145 rushing yards and became the first running back named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Tarkenton scored Minnesota's only touchdown on a four-yard run in the fourth quarter. Miami recovered the following onside kick and closed out a 24-7 victory.
The Vikings finished with two turnovers and failed to force one from the Dolphins. Miami's control of possession prevented Minnesota's defence from changing the game.
The score above the exit
Final · Super Bowl VIII
Miami24
Minnesota7
Miami ran 20 offensive plays in the first quarter to Minnesota's three, and Larry Csonka's 145 rushing yards kept the Vikings' defence on the field for the rest of the afternoon.
Super Bowl IX: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
The record on the tunnel wall
1974 regular season
10-4
Minnesota did not have to wait long for another opportunity. The Vikings finished the 1974 regular season 10-4 and won the NFC Central.
The route painted on the floor
- Divisional roundVikings 30, St. Louis Cardinals 14
- NFC Championship GameVikings 14, Los Angeles Rams 10 — a second consecutive Super Bowl and a third overall
Equipment on the hooks
Fran Tarkenton
Quarterback
Ron Yary
Offensive tackle
Alan Page
Defensive tackle
Matt Blair
Linebacker
Fred Cox
Kicker
The moment at the tunnel opening
The Pittsburgh Steelers were appearing in their first Super Bowl. Their defence was developing into the unit that would become known as the Steel Curtain.
The game began as a defensive contest. Neither team scored in the first quarter. Pittsburgh recorded the only points of the first half when defensive end Dwight White tackled Fran Tarkenton in the end zone for a safety.
Minnesota trailed only 2-0 at half-time, but its offence had already started to struggle against Pittsburgh's defensive front.
Franco Harris scored on a nine-yard run during the third quarter, extending the Steelers' lead to 9-0.
The Vikings finally created their opportunity through special teams. Linebacker Matt Blair blocked a Pittsburgh punt and Terry Brown recovered the ball in the end zone. Fred Cox missed the extra point, leaving Minnesota behind 9-6 rather than 9-7.
Pittsburgh responded with a long fourth-quarter drive. Terry Bradshaw completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Larry Brown, putting the game beyond Minnesota's reach. The Steelers won 16-6.
Minnesota's offence finished with only nine first downs, 119 total yards and 21 rushing yards. The Vikings did not score an offensive touchdown.
The Super Bowl IX game record details Minnesota's blocked-punt touchdown and Pittsburgh's fourth-quarter scoring drive.
The score above the exit
Final · Super Bowl IX
Pittsburgh16
Minnesota6
Minnesota's only points came from a blocked punt recovered in the end zone; an offence held to nine first downs and 119 total yards never scored a touchdown of its own.
Super Bowl XI: Oakland Raiders 32, Minnesota Vikings 14
The record on the tunnel wall
1976 regular season
11-2-1
Tarkenton remained the quarterback. Chuck Foreman led the running game, while Sammy White provided an important receiving threat. The defence still contained several members of the great 1960s and early 1970s units.
The route painted on the floor
- Divisional roundVikings 35, Washington 20
- NFC Championship GameVikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13 — Minnesota became the first franchise to reach four Super Bowls
Equipment on the hooks
Fran Tarkenton
Quarterback
Chuck Foreman
Running back
Sammy White
Wide receiver
Ron Yary
Offensive tackle
Matt Blair
Linebacker
The moment at the tunnel opening
The Vikings began Super Bowl XI with a chance to take control. Matt Blair blocked a punt during the first quarter, and Minnesota recovered the ball at Oakland's three-yard line.
Brent McClanahan fumbled on the next play. The Raiders recovered and Minnesota left the possession without scoring.
Oakland then took command. Errol Mann kicked two field goals before Ken Stabler connected with Dave Casper for a touchdown. The Raiders entered half-time ahead 19-0.
Minnesota produced two second-half touchdowns, but Oakland continued moving the ball. Clarence Davis finished with 137 rushing yards, while Fred Biletnikoff caught four passes for 79 yards and was named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Willie Brown completed the scoring with a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Oakland won 32-14. It was Minnesota's largest Super Bowl defeat and the franchise's final appearance to date.
The score above the exit
Final · Super Bowl XI
Oakland32
Minnesota14
A blocked punt at Oakland's three-yard line ended in a Brent McClanahan fumble, and the Raiders answered with 19 unanswered first-half points on the way to Minnesota's heaviest Super Bowl defeat.
The same men, four times
The team behind all four appearances
Every Vikings Super Bowl appearance came under Bud Grant. Grant became Minnesota's head coach in 1967. His teams were known for discipline, defence and their ability to perform in the severe winter conditions at Metropolitan Stadium. The full coaching history runs from Grant to the present staff.
Tarkenton was not Minnesota's starting quarterback in the first appearance. Joe Kapp started Super Bowl IV while Tarkenton was playing for the New York Giants. Tarkenton returned to Minnesota in 1972 and started the next three Super Bowls.
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Fran Tarkenton | Quarterback |
| Mick Tingelhoff | Centre |
| Ron Yary | Offensive tackle |
| Jim Marshall | Defensive end |
| Carl Eller | Defensive end |
| Alan Page | Defensive tackle |
| Paul Krause | Safety |
| Bobby Bryant | Cornerback |
| Fred Cox | Kicker |
Defensive meeting room
The Purple People Eaters
Four chairs face the film screen. Minnesota's four Super Bowl appearances cannot be separated from the front four who sat in them.
Eller
Defensive end
Marshall
Defensive end
Page
Defensive tackle
Larsen
Defensive tackle
On the film screen
The nickname primarily referred to the defensive line of Eller, Marshall, Page and Larsen. Together, they gave the Vikings one of football's most recognisable identities.
The defence attacked quarterbacks, disrupted running games and helped Minnesota win repeated division and conference titles.
Alan Page became the first defensive player to win the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 1971. Eller and Page later entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while Marshall became one of the most durable players in NFL history.
The group's reputation remains central to the story of the Vikings, even though the four Super Bowl defeats prevented that era from ending with the championship it appeared capable of winning.
Projected frame 01
1971
Alan Page becomes the first defensive player named NFL Most Valuable Player.
Projected frame 02
379-133
Points scored and points allowed across the 1969 regular season.
Projected frame 03
4
Super Bowl appearances built on this front four, all under Bud Grant.
Projected frame 04
Canton
Carl Eller and Alan Page were later elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
No photographs of these players are used on this page. There is no licensed imagery of Eller, Marshall, Page or Larsen in this site's library, so the projected frames above are typographic panels built from the documented record rather than pictures. More franchise numbers live in the Vikings record book.
Overhead view
Why did Minnesota lose all four Super Bowls?
The games were different, but several themes appeared repeatedly. Mapped onto the field, they fall into four zones.
Zone 1 · Own end zone
Turnovers removed early opportunities
Minnesota committed five turnovers against Kansas City, three of them interceptions in the fourth quarter alone. Against Miami the Vikings turned the ball over twice and failed to force a single turnover in return. Against Oakland, Willie Brown's 75-yard interception return finished the scoring. In Super Bowl IX the deficit began in Minnesota's own end zone, where Dwight White tackled Fran Tarkenton for a safety and the only points of the first half.
Zone 2 · Between the 20s
Opponents controlled possession
Miami demonstrated this most clearly in Super Bowl VIII. The Dolphins ran 20 plays before Minnesota completed its fourth offensive snap, scoring on each of their first two possessions and reaching half-time 17-0 ahead. Oakland followed a similar pattern in Super Bowl XI, using its offensive line and rushing attack to keep Minnesota's defence on the field; Clarence Davis alone finished with 137 rushing yards.
Zone 3 · Opponent territory
Minnesota struggled to run the ball
The Vikings could not create a dependable rushing attack against Kansas City, Miami or Pittsburgh. That placed more pressure on the quarterback and allowed opposing defensive lines to control long sections of the game. Against Kansas City the Vikings rushed for only two first downs. Against Pittsburgh they finished with 21 rushing yards, nine first downs and 119 total yards, and scored no offensive touchdown at all.
Zone 4 · End zone
Missed scoring opportunities
Twice Minnesota arrived at the edge of the end zone and left with nothing. The Vikings reached the Miami six-yard line late in the first half of Super Bowl VIII before Oscar Reed fumbled. In Super Bowl XI they recovered a blocked punt at Oakland's three-yard line, then lost a Brent McClanahan fumble on the very next play. In Super Bowl IX the one score they did produce cost them a point, because Fred Cox missed the extra point and left Minnesota behind 9-6 rather than 9-7.
Off the field entirely
The Vikings faced historically strong opponents
The Chiefs helped establish the AFL's credibility before the merger. Miami was the defending champion. Pittsburgh was beginning a dynasty, and Oakland finished its championship season with a 16-1 overall record.
Minnesota did not simply lose four ordinary games. It faced four teams that played a major role in shaping NFL history.
Six closed doors
How long has it been since the Vikings reached the Super Bowl?
Minnesota's most recent appearance was Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977. The Vikings have returned to the NFC Championship Game six times since then, and each team came within one victory of returning Minnesota to the Super Bowl.
The 1998 and 2009 doors are lit more brightly than the other four because both of those games were decided in overtime. Each door says so in its own text, so the lighting is never the only signal.
1987
Washington
Lost 17-10
One score short of a fifth Super Bowl.
Decided in regulation
1998
Atlanta Falcons
Lost 30-27 in overtime
A 15-1 season ended by a missed field goal and an extra period.
Lit brighter · overtime
2000
New York Giants
Lost 41-0
The heaviest of the six defeats.
Decided in regulation
2009
New Orleans Saints
Lost 31-28 in overtime
Tied 28-28 in regulation, then lost the overtime coin toss.
Lit brighter · overtime
2017
Philadelphia Eagles
Lost 38-7
The most recent NFC Championship Game the Vikings have played.
Decided in regulation
Unmarked
The fifth gate
Purple light around the edges. No numeral yet. It represents Minnesota's next possible Super Bowl appearance.
Scroll the corridor sideways, swipe it on a phone, or focus it and use the left and right arrow keys.
| Season | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Dallas Cowboys | Lost 23-6 |
| 1987 | Washington | Lost 17-10 |
| 1998 | Atlanta Falcons | Lost 30-27 in overtime |
| 2000 | New York Giants | Lost 41-0 |
| 2009 | New Orleans Saints | Lost 31-28 in overtime |
| 2017 | Philadelphia Eagles | Lost 38-7 |
The 1998 and 2009 defeats remain particularly painful because both games were decided in overtime.
The 1998 team
Minnesota finished the 1998 regular season 15-1 behind Randall Cunningham, Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Robert Smith.
The Vikings scored 556 points, an NFL record at the time, and entered the NFC Championship Game as strong favourites against Atlanta.
Minnesota led 27-20 late in the fourth quarter and had the opportunity to extend the margin. Gary Anderson, who had not missed a field goal during the regular season, missed a 38-yard attempt.
Atlanta tied the game and eventually won 30-27 in overtime. The defeat stopped one of the most explosive teams in league history from reaching Super Bowl XXXIII.
The 2009 team
The 2009 Vikings finished 12-4 in Brett Favre's first season with Minnesota.
Favre threw for 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns during the regular season. The Vikings defeated Dallas 34-3 in the divisional round before travelling to New Orleans for the NFC Championship Game.
Minnesota committed five turnovers but still had an opportunity to win late in regulation.
With the game tied 28-28, Favre threw an interception while trying to move the Vikings into field-goal range. New Orleans won the overtime coin toss and eventually kicked the winning field goal. The Saints advanced to Super Bowl XLIV and won the championship.
Beyond the unmarked gate
Will the Vikings' next appearance be their fifth?
Yes. Minnesota's next trip to the Super Bowl would be the fifth in franchise history. It would also be the first Vikings Super Bowl appearance played outside the Bud Grant era.
Modern Minnesota teams have produced strong regular seasons and several deep playoff runs, but no group has won the NFC Championship since the 1976 season. Until that changes, the four appearances from the 1970s remain alone in the franchise record. The current campaign is tracked on our schedule and game today pages.
Seating bowl
Frequently asked questions
Nine seats, rising from the front row toward the top of the stand. Open one to fold down its answer panel.
Have the Minnesota Vikings ever won a Super Bowl?
No. The Vikings have appeared in four Super Bowls and lost all four.
What is the Vikings' Super Bowl record?
Minnesota has an 0-4 Super Bowl record.
Which Super Bowls did the Vikings play in?
The Vikings played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI.
When was the Vikings' last Super Bowl appearance?
Their most recent appearance was Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977.
Who did the Vikings lose to in the Super Bowl?
Minnesota lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders.
Who coached the Vikings in their four Super Bowls?
Bud Grant coached Minnesota in all four appearances.
Did Fran Tarkenton play in every Vikings Super Bowl?
No. Joe Kapp started Super Bowl IV. Tarkenton started Super Bowls VIII, IX and XI.
Have the Vikings won an NFL championship?
Yes. Minnesota defeated Cleveland to win the 1969 NFL Championship before losing the subsequent Super Bowl to Kansas City.
How many NFC Championship Games have the Vikings reached since their last Super Bowl?
Minnesota has reached six NFC Championship Games since Super Bowl XI, losing each one.