Super Bowl XIX (1985): San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins

Game Recap: Super Bowl XIX

The San Francisco 49ers captured Super Bowl XIX on January 20, 1985 at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, CA. The final score of 38–16 in favor of San Francisco 49ers gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Joe Montana vs. Dan Marino; Montana dominated in a historic passing display.

Super Bowl XIX was the 19th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Stanford Stadiumin Stanford, CA, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

Joe Montana vs. Dan Marino; Montana dominated in a historic passing display.

MVP Performance: Joe Montana

Joe Montana (QB) earned the Super Bowl XIX 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. Joe Montana joins an elite list of Super Bowl MVP winners alongside Joe Montana (4 awards), Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, and Tom Brady.

Halftime Show: University of Southern California Marching Band

The Super Bowl XIX halftime show featured University of Southern California 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 XIX Played?

Super Bowl XIX was played at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, CA. 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 XIX Legacy

Super Bowl XIX added to the San Francisco 49ers'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.