The Rose Bowl Game is played every January 1 as one of the New Year’s Six bowls that host one of the College Football Playoffs’ (C.F.P) triennial semi-final games. It also hosts the conference champions from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences during non-C.F.P. years. Did you know that the Rose Bowl Game started 120 years ago, and it was the one that began the tradition of New Year’s Day bowl games? Rose Bowl Game is an annual postseason bowl game that takes place at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. The stadium boasts a seating capacity of 92,542 and has claimed to be a sellout event since 1947. The champion of the Rose Bowl Game is usually awarded the Rose Bowl Game trophy, also known as the Leishman Trophy.
History of Rose Bowl Game
We can trace the history of the Rose Bowl Game to the early beginnings of the Rose Parade. The Rose Parade, also known as the Tournament of Roses Parade, was an annual event started by the members of Pasadena’s Valley Hunt Club. The parade resulted from the club members looking for an avenue to showcase their new California home’s mild winter weather. During their discussion at a club meeting, Professor Charles F. Holder — a club member — proposed holding a festival to showcase their paradise to the world.
In 1890, the Valley Hunt Club organized the first parade, which included horse-drawn carriages covered in flowers, foot races, polo matches, and a game of tug-of-war. Seeing the number of flowers used in the display, Professor Charles F. Holder suggested that the parade be called Tournament of Roses.
In 1895, as the event became more than the club could manage, the members founded the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association to manage the Tournament of Roses. On January 1, 1902, the association featured its first football game, played between Michigan and Stanford University. The game was initially titled the ‘Tournament East-West football game.’ The association added the game to the Rose parade to help fund the cost of organizing the parade. Because of how poorly organized the football game was, it didn’t return to the Rose Parade for 14 years.
On January 1, 1916, the organizers decided to bring back the game to the parade, and it has been played annually since then. On January 1, 1923, The Rose Bowl stadium hosted its first Tournament East-West football game. Before then, the game was played annually at Pasadena’s Tournament Park. Afterward, the Tournament East-West football game was changed to the Rose Bowl Game.
Rose Bowl Game timeline
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association includes Rose Bowl Game to the Rose Parade activities to help fund the parade’s cost.
After 14 years of not including the Rose Bowl Game in the Rose Parade, American football returns and becomes the headline event.
The Rose Bowl stadium opens up to host the Rose Bowl Game.
Capital One becomes the official sponsor for the Rose Bowl Game for the years 2021 and 2022.
Rose Bowl Game FAQs
Who plays in the Rose Bowl Game?
The Rose Bowl Game is traditionally played between the conference champions from the Big Ten and the Pac-12 conferences. During C.F.P. years, it hosts one of the C.F.P.’s triennial semi-final games.
Why is it called the Rose Bowl?
Rose Bowl is named after the Rose Bowl Stadium, which hosts the game annually. The Rose Bowl Game was initially called the Tournament East-West football game.
Where can I watch the Rose Bowl Game?
The Rose Bowl Game is exclusively available on E.S.P.N. Depending on what you will use to watch the game, you can stream it on ESPN.com, the E.S.P.N. app, or through popular streaming services like Disney Plus, Hulu+ Live TV, and FuboTV.
Rose Bowl Game Activities
Attend the Rose Bowl Game or Rose Parade
This is the best way to celebrate the Rose Bowl Game. If you haven’t attended the game before, you should definitely attend this one. The event is breathtaking, and you’re going to come home with a feeling of euphoria. For those close to Pasadena, you can purchase a ticket to the game at the Rose Bowl Stadium. And if you live outside that area, you can check online for ticket websites that sell tickets to the game.
Stream the Rose Bowl Game
If you can’t afford to watch the Rose Bowl Game live or just don’t want to deal with the stress, you can live-stream the game on New Year’s Day from the comfort of your couch. You only need to subscribe to ESPN.com or E.S.P.N. T.V. or any streaming services that have E.S.P.N. included in its package. It’s best to watch with friends who are also football fans. Don’t forget the pack of beer and chicken wings!
Host a viewing party
Live the experience of being in the stands right there at home or in your living room. Subscribe to E.S.P.N., prepare roasted turkey or chicken wings, and invite your friends, neighbors, and even colleagues from work. Inform them to come along with beer, wine, or soft drinks. With all these in place, you are going to have the best New Year’s Day ever.
5 Interesting Facts About American Football That We Bet You Don't Know
American football was once rugby
Before the introduction of new rules in 1882, American football was no different from rugby.
A deaf quarterback invented the ‘huddle’
Afraid that the opponent may read his hand signals, quarterback Paul Hubbard, who was deaf, brought his teammates into a round formation to call plays.
It's the most popular game in America
Statistics have shown that American football is the most attended and watched game in the United States.
The Most Super Bowl Wins
The Pittsburgh Steelers have six Super Bowl Championships under their belt, more than any other team.
Pro and college balls are different
While the balls used in pro and college games are of the same size, the one for college games has stripes on either end to make it easier to see during flight.
Why We Love Rose Bowl Game
Rose Bowl is fun
Due to its tradition of hosting games between the champions of the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences, the Rose Bowl Game ensures you get excellent matchups every year. That means you get the more skilled and better-matched teams of any other bowl game. Aside from the Rose Bowl Game, you also get the Rose Parade, an extravagant display of floats, horses, bands, and even jet flyovers, with different themes, and sometimes from places outside the United States.
It’s a celebration of the American heritage and football tradition
American football is the most popular and watched sport in the United States and its biggest sports export. When it comes to displaying this American heritage, the Rose Bowl Game caps any other bowl game. It promises the most beautiful display of American football and exciting and competitive games at the best possible time of the year.
It's the "Granddaddy of Them All"
The Rose Bowl Game is the oldest in college football and was the one that paved the ground for all other bowl games. The Rose Bowl Stadium, where it all happens, is one of the oldest American stadiums and can be considered a historic landmark. The stadium has hosted some of the most memorable games in American history, including the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, the 1994 World Cup Final, and five Super Bowls. It is not called the “Granddaddy of Them All” for nothing!
Rose Bowl Game dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 1 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | January 1 | Thursday |
| 2027 | January 1 | Friday |
| 2028 | January 1 | Saturday |
| 2029 | January 1 | Monday |
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