Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004): New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers

Game Recap: Super Bowl XXXVIII

The New England Patriots captured Super Bowl XXXVIII on February 1, 2004 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. The final score of 32–29 in favor of New England Patriots gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Adam Vinatieri's field goal won it again; Janet Jackson's halftime show made headlines.

Super Bowl XXXVIII was the 38th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Reliant Stadiumin Houston, TX, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

Adam Vinatieri's field goal won it again; Janet Jackson's halftime show made headlines.

MVP Performance: Tom Brady

Tom Brady (QB) earned the Super Bowl XXXVIII 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: Janet Jackson & Justin Timberlake

The Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show featured Janet Jackson & Justin Timberlake. 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 XXXVIII Played?

Super Bowl XXXVIII was played at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. 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 XXXVIII Legacy

Super Bowl XXXVIII 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.