Super Bowl XLII (2008): New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

Game Recap: Super Bowl XLII

The New York Giants captured Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. The final score of 17–14 in favor of New York Giants gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. David Tyree's helmet catch helped the Giants stun the 18-0 Patriots in the biggest upset ever.

Super Bowl XLII was the 42th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at University of Phoenix Stadiumin Glendale, AZ, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

David Tyree's helmet catch helped the Giants stun the 18-0 Patriots in the biggest upset ever.

MVP Performance: Eli Manning

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

Halftime Show: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

The Super Bowl XLII halftime show featured Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. 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 XLII Played?

Super Bowl XLII was played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, 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 XLII Legacy

Super Bowl XLII added to the New York Giants'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.