Super Bowl XLVI (2012): New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

Game Recap: Super Bowl XLVI

The New York Giants captured Super Bowl XLVI on February 5, 2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. The final score of 21–17 in favor of New York Giants gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Eli Manning's second Super Bowl win over the Patriots; Mario Manningham's sideline catch was breathtaking.

Super Bowl XLVI was the 46th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Lucas Oil Stadiumin Indianapolis, IN, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

Eli Manning's second Super Bowl win over the Patriots; Mario Manningham's sideline catch was breathtaking.

MVP Performance: Eli Manning

Eli Manning (QB) earned the Super Bowl XLVI 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: Madonna

The Super Bowl XLVI halftime show featured Madonna. 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 XLVI Played?

Super Bowl XLVI was played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. 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 XLVI Legacy

Super Bowl XLVI 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.