Have the Lions ever won a Super Bowl? A (brief) history of Detroit's big game appearances

The Lions are on the verge of history.

For just the second time in franchise history, Detroit is playing in a conference championship. After winning two home playoff games against the Rams and Buccaneers, Dan Campbell's unit is one win away from reaching the Super Bowl.

You can argue that there has been no NFL fan base as tortured as the one in Motor City. While there is no denying the passion the city has for its team, that energy off the field has not translated into success on it.

But the 2023 Lions have a different vibe to them. In just three years as head coach, Campbell has helped the organization do a complete 180, and Detroit stands just one victory short of the big game.

MORE: How many Super Bowls have the 49ers won?

Here is more on the brief Super Bowl history for the Lions.

Lions Super Bowl history

When was the last time the Lions went to a Super Bowl?

Look away, Lions fans. You already know the answer to this question.

Detroit is one of four NFL teams never to appear in a Super Bowl. Despite being around for the entire Super Bowl era, the Lions have never reached the big game. 

The closest the franchise has gotten is an NFC championship appearance, which has now happened twice in the Super Bowl era. Before this year, the Lions had only reached the conference championship once, in 1992, when Detroit lost, 41-10, to eventual Super Bowl champion Washington.

How many Super Bowls have the Lions won?

You can't win a Super Bowl if you've never played in one. The Lions are one of 12 NFL teams that do not have any Super Bowl wins in franchise history. 

Yet while Detroit does not have a Super Bowl to its name, the franchise has won an NFL championship. In the pre-Super Bowl days, the Lions won four NFL championship games between 1935 and 1957.

The first Super Bowl was played in January 1967, so Detroit's championships do not count as Super Bowl wins.

Longest Super Bowl appearance droughts

The Lions have a chance to snap the longest Super Bowl appearance drought in the league with a win over the 49ers. 

Detroit has never been to a Super Bowl. As a result, their streak is up to 57 years, with a chance to extend to 58 if the team can't take down San Francisco in the 2024 NFC championship game.

The Lions are tied with the Browns, who also have never been to a Super Bowl. (The Browns' drought includes three years, from 1996 to 1998, in which the team had ceased operations.)