Super Bowl XXX (1996): Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Game Recap: Super Bowl XXX

The Dallas Cowboys captured Super Bowl XXX on January 28, 1996 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. The final score of 27–17 in favor of Dallas Cowboys gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Dallas' third championship in four years; Larry Brown had two interceptions.

Super Bowl XXX was the 30th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Sun Devil Stadiumin Tempe, AZ, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

Dallas' third championship in four years; Larry Brown had two interceptions.

MVP Performance: Larry Brown

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

Halftime Show: Diana Ross

The Super Bowl XXX halftime show featured Diana Ross. 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 XXX Played?

Super Bowl XXX was played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. 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 XXX Legacy

Super Bowl XXX added to the Dallas Cowboys'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.