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ACC History Vault
How many national championships has California won?
Key takeaways
- California Golden Bears football has won 5 national championships: 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1937.
- Title seasons: 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1937.
- Across the ACC, Pittsburgh (9), California (5), Miami (5), Georgia Tech (4), Clemson (3), Florida State (3), SMU (3), Stanford (2), Syracuse (1) have claimed national titles.
- All-time record in our game log (1899-2026): 610-560-31.
5 National titles
610-560-31 Record 1899-2026
10 of 24 Bowl / playoff wins
1922 (9-0) Best season
89
seasons since California's last national championship 1937 national championship (claimed) - Finished 10-0-1.
Every national title, year by year
| Year | Title | The season |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 1920 national championship (claimed) | Finished 9-0. |
| 1921 | 1921 national championship (claimed) | Finished 9-0-1. |
| 1922 | 1922 national championship (claimed) | Finished 9-0. |
| 1923 | 1923 national championship (claimed) | Finished 9-0-1. |
| 1937 | 1937 national championship (claimed) | Finished 10-0-1. |
Claimed national championships, per the program's own record book.
California postseason, 1899-2026
| Season | Record | Postseason |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7-6 | Lost Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl |
| 2024 | 6-7 | Lost Art of Sport LA Bowl |
| 2023 | 6-7 | Lost Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl |
| 2019 | 8-5 | Won REDBOX BOWL |
| 2018 | 7-6 | Lost CHEEZ-IT BOWL |
| 2015 | 8-5 | Won LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL |
| 2011 | 7-6 | Lost BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION HOLIDAY BOWL |
| 2009 | 8-5 | Lost Bowl game |
| 2008 | 9-4 | Won Bowl game |
| 2007 | 7-6 | Won Bowl game |
| 2006 | 10-3 | Won Bowl game |
| 2005 | 8-4 | Won Bowl game |
| 2004 | 10-2 | Lost Bowl game |
| 2003 | 8-6 | Won Bowl game |
| 1996 | 6-6 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1993 | 9-4 | Won Bowl game |
| 1991 | 10-2 | Won Bowl game |
| 1990 | 7-4-1 | Won Bowl game |
| 1979 | 6-6 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1958 | 7-4 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1950 | 9-1-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1949 | 10-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1948 | 10-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1928 | 6-2-2 | Lost Bowl game |
Source: CollegeFootballData game results via the CFB Data Hub.
National titles across the ACC
| Team | Titles | Last title |
|---|---|---|
 Pittsburgh Panthers | 9 | 1976 |
 California Golden Bears this page | 5 | 1937 |
 Miami Hurricanes | 5 | 2001 |
 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | 4 | 1990 |
 Clemson Tigers | 3 | 2018 |
 Florida State Seminoles | 3 | 2013 |
 SMU Mustangs | 3 | 1982 |
 Stanford Cardinal | 2 | 1940 |
 Syracuse Orange | 1 | 1959 |
 Boston College Eagles | 0 | None yet |
 Duke Blue Devils | 0 | None yet |
 Louisville Cardinals | 0 | None yet |
 NC State Wolfpack | 0 | None yet |
 North Carolina Tar Heels | 0 | None yet |
 Virginia Cavaliers | 0 | None yet |
 Virginia Tech Hokies | 0 | None yet |
 Wake Forest Demon Deacons | 0 | None yet |
Current ACC members, claimed national championships.
Where California sits in the ACC
Current ACC programs have claimed 35 national titles between them: nine for Pittsburgh, five for California, five for Miami, four for Georgia Tech, three for Clemson, three for Florida State, three for SMU, two for Stanford and one for Syracuse. The other eight programs are still chasing a first. See how this season is shaping up on the ACC standings, or browse every season on the California record by year page.
Editorial note
College football crowned national champions by polls and selectors before the BCS (1998) and the College Football Playoff (2014). The titles here are the ones each program claims in its own record book.
California Golden Bears football has won 5 national championships: 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1937.
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Frequently asked questions
How many national championships has California won?
5. 1920 national championship (claimed), 1921 national championship (claimed), 1922 national championship (claimed), 1923 national championship (claimed), 1937 national championship (claimed).
When did California win its first national championship?
In 1920. Finished 9-0.
When did California last win a national championship?
In 1937. Finished 10-0-1.