Super Bowl XXIII (1989): San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Game Recap: Super Bowl XXIII

The San Francisco 49ers captured Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, FL. The final score of 20–16 in favor of San Francisco 49ers gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Joe Montana's 92-yard game-winning drive in the final minutes is legendary.

Super Bowl XXIII was the 23th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Joe Robbie Stadiumin Miami, FL, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

Joe Montana's 92-yard game-winning drive in the final minutes is legendary.

MVP Performance: Jerry Rice

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

Halftime Show: Billy Crystal, Smokey Robinson & Up with People

The Super Bowl XXIII halftime show featured Billy Crystal, Smokey Robinson & 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 XXIII Played?

Super Bowl XXIII was played at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, 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 XXIII Legacy

Super Bowl XXIII 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.