Super Bowl XVIII (1984): Los Angeles Raiders vs. Washington Redskins

Game Recap: Super Bowl XVIII

The Los Angeles Raiders captured Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL. The final score of 38–9 in favor of Los Angeles Raiders gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Marcus Allen's 74-yard TD run is among the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.

Super Bowl XVIII was the 18th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Tampa Stadiumin Tampa, FL, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

Marcus Allen's 74-yard TD run is among the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.

MVP Performance: Marcus Allen

Marcus Allen (RB) earned the Super Bowl XVIII Most Valuable Player award with a standout individual performance. The MVP award, officially known as the Pete Rozelle Trophy, has been given since Super Bowl I and recognizes the single most impactful player in each championship game. Marcus Allen joins an elite list of Super Bowl MVP winners alongside Joe Montana (4 awards), Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, and Tom Brady.

Halftime Show: Florida State University Marching Band

The Super Bowl XVIII halftime show featured Florida State University Marching Band. The halftime show has grown from a simple marching band performance in the early Super Bowls into one of the most-watched musical events in the world, routinely attracting over 120 million viewers. For a full ranking of every halftime show, see our best Super Bowl halftime shows guide.

Where Was Super Bowl XVIII Played?

Super Bowl XVIII was played at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL. The NFL selects host cities based on stadium quality, hotel room capacity, and infrastructure. For a full list of every Super Bowl location, see our Super Bowl stadiums page and Super Bowl host cities guide.

Super Bowl XVIII Legacy

Super Bowl XVIII added to the Los Angeles Raiders's championship legacy. The victory secured a place in NFL history and gave the franchise's fans one of their most celebrated moments. Championship victories are often defining moments for franchises — they elevate players to legend status, validate coaching philosophies, and become permanent fixtures in sports culture.

For the complete timeline of every Super Bowl champion, visit our Super Bowl winners page. To see how this game fits into the all-time records, visit the Super Bowl records page.