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How many national championships has Pittsburgh won?
Key takeaways
- Pittsburgh Panthers football has won 9 national championships: 1915, 1916, 1918, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1976.
- Title seasons: 1915, 1916, 1918, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1976.
- That is the most of any current ACC program.
- All-time record in our game log (1896-2026): 734-524-37.
9 National titles
734-524-37 Record 1896-2026
13 of 36 Bowl / playoff wins
1976 (12-0) Best season
50
seasons since Pittsburgh's last national championship 1976 national championship - Finished 12-0.
Every national title, year by year
| Year | Title | The season |
|---|---|---|
| 1915 | 1915 national championship (claimed) | Finished 8-0. |
| 1916 | 1916 national championship (claimed) | Finished 8-0. |
| 1918 | 1918 national championship (claimed) | Finished 4-1. |
| 1929 | 1929 national championship (claimed) | Finished 9-1. |
| 1931 | 1931 national championship (claimed) | Finished 8-1. |
| 1934 | 1934 national championship (claimed) | Finished 8-1. |
| 1936 | 1936 national championship (claimed) | Finished 8-1-1. |
| 1937 | 1937 national championship | Finished 9-0-1. |
| 1976 | 1976 national championship | Finished 12-0. |
Claimed national championships, per the program's own record book.
Pittsburgh postseason, 1896-2026
| Season | Record | Postseason |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8-5 | Lost Go Bowling Military Bowl |
| 2024 | 7-6 | Lost GameAbove Sports Bowl |
| 2022 | 9-4 | Won Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl |
| 2021 | 11-3 | Lost Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl |
| 2019 | 8-5 | Won QUICK LANE BOWL |
| 2018 | 7-7 | Lost Bowl game |
| 2016 | 8-5 | Lost NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL |
| 2015 | 8-5 | Lost MILITARY BOWL PRESENTED BY NORTHROP GRUMMAN |
| 2014 | 6-7 | Lost LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL |
| 2013 | 7-6 | Won LITTLE CAESARS BOWL |
| 2012 | 6-7 | Lost BBVA COMPASS BOWL |
| 2011 | 6-7 | Lost BBVA COMPASS BOWL |
| 2010 | 8-5 | Won BBVA COMPASS BOWL |
| 2009 | 10-3 | Won Bowl game |
| 2008 | 9-4 | Lost Bowl game |
| 2004 | 8-4 | Lost FIESTA BOWL |
| 2003 | 8-5 | Lost Bowl game |
| 2002 | 9-4 | Won Bowl game |
| 2001 | 7-5 | Won Bowl game |
| 2000 | 7-5 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1997 | 6-6 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1989 | 8-3-1 | Won Bowl game |
| 1987 | 8-4 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1983 | 8-3-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1982 | 9-3 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1981 | 11-1 | Won Bowl game |
| 1980 | 11-1 | Won Bowl game |
| 1979 | 11-1 | Won Bowl game |
| 1978 | 8-4 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1977 | 9-2-1 | Won Bowl game |
| 1975 | 8-4 | Won Bowl game |
| 1973 | 6-5-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1956 | 7-3-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1955 | 7-4 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1932 | 8-1-2 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1927 | 8-1-1 | Lost Bowl game |
Source: CollegeFootballData game results via the CFB Data Hub.
National titles across the ACC
| Team | Titles | Last title |
|---|---|---|
 Pittsburgh Panthers this page | 9 | 1976 |
 California Golden Bears | 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh 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.
Pittsburgh Panthers football has won 9 national championships: 1915, 1916, 1918, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1976.
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Frequently asked questions
How many national championships has Pittsburgh won?
9. 1915 national championship (claimed), 1916 national championship (claimed), 1918 national championship (claimed), 1929 national championship (claimed), 1931 national championship (claimed), 1934 national championship (claimed), 1936 national championship (claimed), 1937 national championship, 1976 national championship.
When did Pittsburgh win its first national championship?
In 1915. Finished 8-0.
When did Pittsburgh last win a national championship?
In 1976. Finished 12-0.