The game was played between the American Conference Champions San Jose SaberCats, who were making their fourth, and second consecutive, appearance in the title game (they have won in all of their previous trips), against the National Conference Champions Philadelphia Soul, who were making their first appearance in the franchise's history in the ArenaBowl.

In the playoffs, the Soul first beat the sixth-seeded New York Dragons 48-49 in the Divisional round of the tournament on a controversial call.

The play was reviewed, and even though the replays seemed to indicate a knee down before the ball crossed the goal line, the score was confirmed and the Soul won the game.

The SaberCats received the opening kickoff, and teams exchanged touchdowns through the first quarter, tying the game three times.

San Jose responded to close the game to 46-34 on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Mark Grieb to Jason Geathers.

With 39 seconds left in the game, a two-yard touchdown pass from Matt D'Orazio to Phil Bogle gave the Soul a seemingly comfortable 59-42 lead.

Philadelphia defeated San Jose 59-56, and Soul quarterback Matt D'Orazio was named the Mitsubishi Motors ArenaBowl XXII MVP.