Super Bowl XLV (2011): Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Game Recap: Super Bowl XLV

The Green Bay Packers captured Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX. The final score of 31–25 in favor of Green Bay Packers gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Aaron Rodgers dominated; the Steelers couldn't overcome costly turnovers.

Super Bowl XLV was the 45th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Cowboys Stadiumin Arlington, TX, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

Aaron Rodgers dominated; the Steelers couldn't overcome costly turnovers.

MVP Performance: Aaron Rodgers

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

Halftime Show: Black Eyed Peas

The Super Bowl XLV halftime show featured Black Eyed Peas. 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 XLV Played?

Super Bowl XLV was played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, 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 XLV Legacy

Super Bowl XLV 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.