Ni/CexZr1-xO2/SBA-15 catalysts were prepared and the catalytic activity for steam reforming of methane reaction was investigated. The addition of CexZr1-xO2 could obviously enhance catalytic activity of the Ni-based catalyst and Ni/CeO2/SBA-15 catalyst shows the excellent catalytic activity and stability at 800 degrees C over 792 h on steam. After reaction, the mesoporous structure of SBA-15 is still present and the pore walls of SBA-15 prevent the aggregation of nickel. The high catalytic activity and stability of Ni/CexZr1-xO2/SBA-15 catalyst is due to a CexZr1-xO2 layer precoated on SBA-15, which plays a role in forming high activity Ni species rather than bulk NiO and giving mobile oxygen species.