Super Bowl XLIII (2009): Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals

Game Recap: Super Bowl XLIII

The Pittsburgh Steelers captured Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The final score of 27–23 in favor of Pittsburgh Steelers gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Santonio Holmes' toe-tapping TD catch in the corner of the end zone was miraculous.

Super Bowl XLIII was the 43th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Raymond James Stadiumin Tampa, FL, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

Santonio Holmes' toe-tapping TD catch in the corner of the end zone was miraculous.

MVP Performance: Santonio Holmes

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

Halftime Show: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

The Super Bowl XLIII halftime show featured Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. 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 XLIII Played?

Super Bowl XLIII was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. 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 XLIII Legacy

Super Bowl XLIII added to the Pittsburgh Steelers'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.