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How many national championships has Stanford won?
Key takeaways
- Stanford Cardinal football has won 2 national championships: 1926, 1940.
- Title seasons: 1926, 1940.
- 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 (1894-2026): 607-501-34.
2 National titles
607-501-34 Record 1894-2026
14 of 28 Bowl / playoff wins
1940 (10-0) Best season
86
seasons since Stanford's last national championship 1940 national championship (claimed) - Finished 10-0.
Every national title, year by year
| Year | Title | The season |
|---|---|---|
| 1926 | 1926 national championship (claimed) | Finished 10-0-1. |
| 1940 | 1940 national championship (claimed) | Finished 10-0. |
Claimed national championships, per the program's own record book.
Stanford postseason, 1894-2026
| Season | Record | Postseason |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 9-4 | Won Bowl game |
| 2017 | 9-5 | Lost VALERO ALAMO BOWL |
| 2016 | 10-3 | Won Bowl game |
| 2015 | 12-2 | Won ROSE BOWL GAME PRES. BY NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL |
| 2014 | 8-5 | Won FOSTER FARMS BOWL |
| 2013 | 11-3 | Lost ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY VIZIO |
| 2012 | 12-2 | Won ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY VIZIO |
| 2011 | 11-2 | Lost TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL |
| 2010 | 12-1 | Won DISCOVER ORANGE BOWL |
| 2009 | 8-5 | Lost Bowl game |
| 2001 | 9-3 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1999 | 8-4 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1996 | 7-5 | Won Bowl game |
| 1995 | 7-4-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1992 | 10-3 | Won Bowl game |
| 1991 | 8-4 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1986 | 8-4 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1978 | 8-4 | Won Bowl game |
| 1977 | 9-3 | Won Bowl game |
| 1971 | 9-3 | Won Bowl game |
| 1970 | 9-3 | Won Bowl game |
| 1951 | 9-2 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1935 | 8-1 | Won Bowl game |
| 1934 | 9-1-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1933 | 8-2-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1927 | 8-2-1 | Won Bowl game |
| 1924 | 7-1-1 | Lost Bowl game |
| 1901 | 0-1 | 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 | 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 this page | 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 Stanford 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 Stanford 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.
Stanford Cardinal football has won 2 national championships: 1926, 1940.
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Frequently asked questions
How many national championships has Stanford won?
2. 1926 national championship (claimed), 1940 national championship (claimed).
When did Stanford win its first national championship?
In 1926. Finished 10-0-1.
When did Stanford last win a national championship?
In 1940. Finished 10-0.