Prior to the game, Cirque du Soleil, Romero Britto and Louie Vega performed as the pre-game act, and Billy Joel sang the National Anthem. Marlee Matlin performed the National Anthem in American Sign Language. Besides participating in the CBS telecast of the pre-game show, Dan Marino also participated in the coin toss along with Norma Hunt, the widow of Lamar Hunt. Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula presented the Vince Lombardi Trophy to the Colts after the game, and Peyton Manning was named MVP.

American singer and musician Prince performed in the Pepsi Super Bowl XLI Halftime Show. The Florida A&M University marching band, the Marching 100, accompanied Prince during the show. Among the songs in Prince's set were his signature hit "Let's Get Crazy", and a cover version of the Foo Fighters song "Best of You". Fittingly, in light of the conditions, he finished the performance with another signature theme, Purple Rain, in a driving downpour.