Rose Bowl 2025 Start Time, Teams, and How to Watch

By Sarah Miller · February 16, 2036

The Rose Bowl Game 2025 is scheduled for January 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (2:00 PM Pacific Time). It will be held at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, and televised nationally on ESPN. This year's game features a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan Wolverines.

Rose Bowl 2025 Game Overview

The 2025 Rose Bowl Game returns to its traditional New Year's Day slot as one of the premier bowl games in college football. As part of the expanded College Football Playoff (CFP) format, this edition serves as a CFP Quarterfinal, adding higher stakes to the historic venue.

Key Details

Date: January 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
Kickoff Time: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
Location: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California
Broadcast Network: ESPN (also available via streaming on ESPN+)
Matchup: #4 Alabama vs. #1 Michigan (CFP Quarterfinal)
Capacity: Approximately 91,000

History and Significance of the Rose Bowl

Known as "The Granddaddy of Them All," the Rose Bowl is the oldest operating bowl game in college football, first played in 1902. Since 1916, it has been an annual event and is traditionally played on January 1 unless that date falls on a Sunday, when it shifts to January 2 to avoid conflict with NFL games.

Recent Format Changes

With the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams starting in the 2024 season, the Rose Bowl now rotates hosting playoff quarterfinals. In non-playoff years, it typically features the champions of the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences.

Television and Streaming Information

Fans can watch the Rose Bowl 2025 live through multiple platforms:

Cable: ESPN (standard broadcast)
Streaming: ESPN+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV
Mobile Viewing: WatchESPN app (authentication required)
International: Available in over 150 countries via ESPN International

Ticket Information and Attendance

Tickets for the 2025 Rose Bowl were made available through university allocations, conference distributions, and limited public sales via authorized resellers like Ticketmaster. Due to high demand, especially with Michigan and Alabama having large fan bases, tickets sold out quickly.

Estimated Ticket Prices (Secondary Market)

Face Value Range: $200 – $500
Resale Average: $800 – $1,500
Premium Seats (Field Level): $2,500+

Year	Date	Teams	Final Score	Audience (Millions)	TV Network
2022	Jan 1	Alabama vs. Cincinnati	27–6	10.1	ESPN
2023	Jan 2	TCU vs. Michigan	51–45	13.8	ESPN
2024	Jan 1	Penn State vs. Utah	35–21	9.4	ESPN
2025 (Projected)	Jan 1	Michigan vs. Alabama	TBD	14.5 (Est.)	ESPN

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The projected viewership for the 2025 Rose Bowl is among the highest in recent history due to the playoff implications and the national following of both Michigan and Alabama. The 2023 game already drew 13.8 million viewers, and the addition of a top-ranked matchup suggests a potential new benchmark for cable sports audiences.

Travel and Event Experience

The Rose Bowl Game is part of a larger festival known as "Rose Bowl Week," which includes the Rose Parade on New Year's morning. Fans traveling to Pasadena can expect:

Rose Parade: Starts at 8:00 AM PT on January 1, 2025
Stadium Gates: Open at 12:00 PM PT
Tailgating: Permitted in designated areas with permits
Public Transit: Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park Station recommended

Frequently Asked Questions About the Rose Bowl 2025

What time does the Rose Bowl 2025 start?

The Rose Bowl 2025 kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM Eastern Time (2:00 PM Pacific Time) on January 1, 2025.

Which teams are playing in the Rose Bowl 2025?

The 2025 Rose Bowl features a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Is the Rose Bowl 2025 a playoff game?

Yes, the 2025 Rose Bowl is designated as a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal game under the new 12-team playoff format.

How can I watch the Rose Bowl 2025 online?

You can stream the Rose Bowl 2025 live via ESPN+ or through live TV streaming services such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or FuboTV with a valid subscription.

Why is the Rose Bowl game not on January 2nd in 2025?

The Rose Bowl returned to January 1st in 2025 because New Year’s Day fell on a Wednesday, avoiding the traditional Sunday conflict with NFL games, which would require a date change.