Super Bowl XX (1986): Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots

Game Recap: Super Bowl XX

The Chicago Bears captured Super Bowl XX on January 26, 1986 at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA. The final score of 46–10 in favor of Chicago Bears gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. The 1985 Bears were considered one of the greatest defensive teams ever.

Super Bowl XX was the 20th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Louisiana Superdomein New Orleans, LA, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

The 1985 Bears were considered one of the greatest defensive teams ever.

MVP Performance: Richard Dent

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

Halftime Show: Up with People

The Super Bowl XX halftime show featured Up with People. 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 XX Played?

Super Bowl XX was played at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA. 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 XX Legacy

Super Bowl XX added to the Chicago Bears'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.