A documentary on the New York Giants’ Super Bowl XXI championship team — the 1986 squad that defeated the Denver Broncos 39-20 — is being filmed in Upstate South Carolina, bringing a piece of NFL history to the region.
The project draws on the Upstate’s growing film production infrastructure, which has expanded significantly as South Carolina strengthened its film incentive program. The Upstate offers affordable production costs, diverse locations, and tax credits that have attracted both scripted and documentary productions from production companies seeking alternatives to more expensive major-market locations.
The 1986 Giants are one of the most celebrated teams in NFL history, led by quarterback Phil Simms, linebacker Lawrence Taylor, and head coach Bill Parcells. Simms earned Super Bowl MVP honors after completing 22 of 25 passes — a completion percentage record that stood for decades. The team’s story has enduring appeal to football audiences and is considered a defining era in the NFL’s expansion into a national cultural institution.
South Carolina’s film industry has grown substantially, with production credits including both Hollywood features and documentary work. The State Film Office, housed within the Department of Commerce, coordinates with county economic development offices including OneSpartanburg to facilitate productions seeking Upstate locations. Productions filmed in Spartanburg County generate local spending on lodging, catering, equipment rental, and crew hiring that flows directly into the local economy.
