Super Bowl XXI (1987): New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos

Game Recap: Super Bowl XXI

The New York Giants captured Super Bowl XXI on January 25, 1987 at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. The final score of 39–20 in favor of New York Giants gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Phil Simms completed 88% of his passes in one of the most accurate Super Bowl performances ever.

Super Bowl XXI was the 21th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Rose Bowlin Pasadena, CA, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

Phil Simms completed 88% of his passes in one of the most accurate Super Bowl performances ever.

MVP Performance: Phil Simms

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

Halftime Show: Southern University Marching Band

The Super Bowl XXI halftime show featured Southern 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 XXI Played?

Super Bowl XXI was played at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, 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 XXI Legacy

Super Bowl XXI added to the New York Giants'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.