Super Bowl XXXI (1997): Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots

Game Recap: Super Bowl XXXI

The Green Bay Packers captured Super Bowl XXXI on January 26, 1997 at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA. The final score of 35–21 in favor of Green Bay Packers gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Desmond Howard's 99-yard kickoff return for a TD was the game-sealing play.

Super Bowl XXXI was the 31th 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

Desmond Howard's 99-yard kickoff return for a TD was the game-sealing play.

MVP Performance: Desmond Howard

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

Halftime Show: Blues Brothers, James Brown & ZZ Top

The Super Bowl XXXI halftime show featured Blues Brothers, James Brown & ZZ Top. 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 XXXI Played?

Super Bowl XXXI 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 XXXI Legacy

Super Bowl XXXI added to the Green Bay Packers'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.