The Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl Game is nicknamed “The Granddaddy of Them All” because it is the oldest currently operating bowl game. It is a part of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association’s “America’s New Year Celebration”, which also includes the historic Rose Parade. The first Tournament of Roses football game, which was the first post-season football game in the nation, was staged at Tournament Park on January 1, 1902. The game matched the West Coast’s Stanford against Midwestern Michigan. Michigan routed Stanford, 49-0, prompting the football contest to be replaced with Roman-style chariot races inspired by the literary classic Ben-Hur. Football was permanently reinstated as part of the Tournament’s traditions in 1916. The Rose Bowl Game has traditionally hosted the conference champions from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences, but under the Bowl Championship Series system, the Rose Bowl was designated as its championship game, and hosted the top two teams determined by the BCS system. Beginning in 2015, the Rose Bowl has been part of the College Football Playoff and hosts one of its semifinal games every three years. During non-Playoff years, the Rose Bowl reverts to its traditional Pac-12/Big Ten matchup.The Rose Bowl Game will be held on January 2, 2023. The game will feature a traditional matchup of teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12. Come early and enjoy pre-game activities including tailgates, Rose Queen and Royal Court appearances, and more.