What Day Is the Rose Bowl Played?

By Sarah Miller · January 10, 2043

The Rose Bowl Game is traditionally played on January 1st every year, unless January 1 falls on a Sunday, in which case it is held on January 2. For 2026, the game will be played on Monday, January 2, due to New Year's Day falling on a Sunday.

What Is the Rose Bowl Game?

The Rose Bowl Game is one of the most prestigious college football bowl games in the United States. Hosted annually at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, it is part of the New Year's Six and often features top teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences. Known as "The Granddaddy of Them All," it is the oldest operating bowl game, first played in 1902.

Key Facts About the Rose Bowl

First played: January 1, 1902 (re-established annually in 1916)
Venue: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA
Typical date: January 1 or January 2
Participants: Traditionally Big Ten vs. Pac-12, but varies during College Football Playoff years
Broadcast network: ESPN

Scheduling Rules for the Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl follows a unique scheduling rule tied to the calendar. To avoid conflicting with Sunday NFL games and religious observances, the game does not play on January 1 if that day falls on a Sunday.

Why Does the Date Change?

This tradition dates back to 1947. When New Year’s Day is on a Sunday, the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl Game are both moved to January 2 to respect the Sabbath and prevent broadcast conflicts.

Year	Date	Winner	Score	Runner-up
2022	January 1	Ohio State	48–45	Utah
2023	January 2	Utah	35–28	Penn State
2024	January 1	Michigan	27–20	Alabama
2025	January 1	TBD	TBD	TBD
2026	January 2	TBD	TBD	TBD

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows recent and upcoming Rose Bowl dates, confirming the consistent pattern of January 1 or 2. The shift in 2023 and 2026 aligns with the Sunday rule, demonstrating the event's long-standing tradition and scheduling discipline.

Rose Bowl and the College Football Playoff

Since 2014, the Rose Bowl has also served as a semifinal site for the College Football Playoff (CFP) in rotating years. During CFP years, the traditional conference tie-ins may be overridden if teams are selected for the national semifinals.

Recent Changes in Format

In CFP years, the Rose Bowl hosts a semifinal matchup instead of its usual conference matchup.
Teams are selected by the CFP committee based on rankings.
The next CFP Rose Bowl is scheduled for January 1, 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Rose Bowl

What day is the Rose Bowl Game usually played?

The Rose Bowl Game is typically played on January 1 each year. If January 1 falls on a Sunday, the game is moved to January 2 to avoid conflicts with NFL broadcasts and religious observances.

Why is the Rose Bowl sometimes played on January 2?

The game is moved to January 2 when New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. This tradition began in 1947 to respect the Sabbath and prevent competition with NFL games, ensuring maximum viewership and cultural sensitivity.

Where is the Rose Bowl Game held?

The Rose Bowl Game takes place at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. The stadium has been its permanent home since 1923 and seats over 90,000 fans.

Which teams play in the Rose Bowl?

Traditionally, the game features the champions or top selections from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences. However, during College Football Playoff years, the participants are determined by the national selection committee.

How can I watch the Rose Bowl in 2026?

The 2026 Rose Bowl will be televised nationally on ESPN. International viewers can stream the game via ESPN+ or authorized regional sports networks. Kickoff is expected around 5:00 PM Eastern Time.