Super Bowl XXXVI (2002): New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams

Game Recap: Super Bowl XXXVI

The New England Patriots captured Super Bowl XXXVI on February 3, 2002 at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA. The final score of 20–17 in favor of New England Patriots gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Tom Brady's first Super Bowl win; Adam Vinatieri's walk-off field goal launched a dynasty.

Super Bowl XXXVI was the 36th 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

Tom Brady's first Super Bowl win; Adam Vinatieri's walk-off field goal launched a dynasty.

MVP Performance: Tom Brady

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

Halftime Show: U2

The Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show featured U2. 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 XXXVI Played?

Super Bowl XXXVI 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 XXXVI Legacy

Super Bowl XXXVI added to the New England Patriots'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.