Super Bowl LVI
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| Super Bowl LVI | |
|---|---|
| Name | Super Bowl LVI |
| Caption | SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California |
| Date | February 13, 2022 |
| Stadium | SoFi Stadium |
| City | Inglewood, California |
| Attendance | 70,048 |
| Champions | Los Angeles Rams |
| Runners up | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Mvp | Cooper Kupp |
Super Bowl LVI was the championship game of the 2021 NFL season played on February 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20; wide receiver Cooper Kupp was named Most Valuable Player. The game featured notable figures including quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow, head coaches Sean McVay and Zac Taylor, and halftime performers such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige.
Background and host selection
The NFL awarded hosting rights for the 2022 championship to the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers' new home, SoFi Stadium, after an extensive bidding process involving cities like Las Vegas, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans, MetLife Stadium, and Atlanta. Ownership figures such as Stan Kroenke and executives from Hollywood Park development partners collaborated with the National Football League to present proposals emphasizing infrastructure investments, transit links with Los Angeles International Airport, and partnerships with entertainment institutions including Rams Entertainment Group and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The selection followed precedents set by prior host cities like Miami, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Tampa Bay.
Teams
The Los Angeles Rams reached the game after a postseason run that involved victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, and the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, head coach Sean McVay, and offensive stars Cooper Kupp, Cam Akers, and Van Jefferson, the Rams combined veteran acquisitions and draft picks from recent seasons including trades involving Jared Goff and draft assets. The Cincinnati Bengals advanced through the AFC playoffs with wins over the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and an upset of the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Quarterback Joe Burrow, head coach Zac Taylor, and receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd formed Cincinnati's core, supplemented by defensive contributors from drafts and free agency such as Myles Garrett-adjacent comparisons and schematics influenced by coordinators with ties to Pete Carroll-era coaching trees.
Game summary
The contest featured a competitive first half in which the Cincinnati Bengals struck first with a touchdown by Joe Burrow connections to Ja'Marr Chase, while the Los Angeles Rams responded through drives engineered by Matthew Stafford and culminated in scoring plays by Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr.. Special teams and turnovers, including punts and a notable defensive stop by Rams defenders with contributions from Aaron Donald and Von Miller, shaped momentum. In the second half, field goals from kickers such as Harrison Butker-style comparisons were mirrored by Matt Gay for the Rams, and late fourth-quarter drives featured critical conversions by Cooper Kupp and clock management reminiscent of playoff encounters involving Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. A final Cincinnati touchdown narrowed the margin, but the Rams sustained possession to secure a 23–20 victory; Cooper Kupp's performance, including receptions and yardage, earned him the MVP award.
Broadcasting and entertainment
The game was televised in the United States by NBC with a commentary team that included personalities from Sunday Night Football and featured international distribution through partners such as Sky Sports, DAZN, and CBC Sports. Pre-game coverage incorporated segments with analysts from ESPN, pundits formerly associated with CBS Sports and Fox Sports, and studio programming referencing entertainment crossovers from Hollywood celebrities. The broadcast showcased halftime trailers and promotional tie-ins from studios like Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., and Paramount Pictures, as well as branded collaborations with Pepsi, Anheuser-Busch, and technology firms including Apple and Amazon.
Broadcasting and entertainment
The halftime show, presented by PepsiCo, featured a lineup curated by producers and artists with deep ties to Los Angeles culture: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige, with surprise appearances drawing links to the histories of Death Row Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Top Dawg Entertainment. Musical selections referenced catalogues from acts such as Tupac Shakur-era influences and West Coast hip hop legacies, and staging leveraged production firms experienced with events like the Academy Awards and Grammy Awards. Celebrity attendees from film and music industries, including actors and producers associated with studios like Netflix and Disney, populated the VIP suites and red carpet activations.
Aftermath and legacy
The Rams' victory marked a championship for the franchise in its second stint in Los Angeles, adding to previous titles linked with the franchise's history in St. Louis and Oakland. The game influenced roster building narratives for both clubs, affecting subsequent personnel decisions involving free agents and draft strategies debated by analysts at The Athletic, Pro Football Focus, and Bleacher Report. The halftime show's cultural impact reignited conversations about hip hop's mainstream recognition in major sporting events and drew commentary from outlets including Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Variety. Infrastructure and economic analyses by groups tied to University of Southern California and UCLA examined SoFi Stadium's role in urban development, while broadcasters reported television ratings comparisons against prior championships involving New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.