Rose Bowl Game Today: Start Time, Teams, How to Watch

By Sarah Miller · September 5, 2048

The Rose Bowl Game today is scheduled to start at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (2:00 PM Pacific Time) on January 1, 2025. The matchup features the No. 1 Oregon Ducks against the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes in a College Football Playoff Semifinal showdown at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

What Time Is the Rose Bowl Game Today?

If you're asking what time the Rose Bowl game is today, the answer is 5:00 PM ET (2:00 PM PT). This prime-time kickoff ensures national visibility and aligns with traditional broadcast windows for major bowl games. The game will be televised live on ESPN and streamed via ESPN+.

Key Details About Today’s Kickoff

Date: January 1, 2025
Kickoff Time: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
Location: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA
Broadcast Network: ESPN
Live Stream: ESPN+, ESPN.com
Game Type: College Football Playoff Semifinal

Rose Bowl Game Matchup Overview

Today's edition of the Rose Bowl Game is especially significant as it serves as one of two College Football Playoff semifinals for the 2024–2025 season. The winner will advance to the National Championship game in mid-January.

Teams Competing in the 2025 Rose Bowl

Oregon Ducks (No. 1 Seed) – Pac-12 Champions with an undefeated 13–0 record. Led by Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Ohio State Buckeyes (No. 4 Seed) – Big Ten Champions at 11–2. Head coach Ryan Day seeks first CFP win as they return to the Rose Bowl after their 2023 victory.

This marks the third meeting between these programs in the last decade, with each team winning once in prior matchups. The stakes have never been higher.

Venue and Broadcast Information

The Rose Bowl Stadium, often called "The Granddaddy of Them All," has hosted this iconic game since 1902 (with some exceptions). Located in Pasadena, California, it provides a scenic backdrop with the San Gabriel Mountains enhancing the visual appeal during afternoon gameplay.

How to Watch the Game

TV Channel: ESPN (HD available)
Streaming: ESPN app, ESPN+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV
Radio: Westwood One Sports (nationwide), Ducks Radio Network, OSU Sports Network
Spanish Coverage: ESPN Deportes

Historical Context and Past Results

The Rose Bowl Game is the oldest operating college football bowl game, dating back to 1902. It became part of the New Year’s Six rotation and regularly hosts playoff semifinals every three years under the current CFP structure.

Year	Winner	Score	Runner-up	Attendance	MVP
2025	TBD	TBD	TBD	~93,000 (est.)	TBD
2024	Michigan	27–20	Alabama	93,128	Blake Corum (RB)
2023	TCU	51–45	Michigan	89,188	Max Duggan (QB)
2022	Ohio State	48–45	Utah	81,977	C.J. Stroud (QB)
2020	LSU	40–6	Clemson	78,136	Joe Burrow (QB)

Table data source:1, 2

The attendance figures show strong fan engagement, with recent sellouts reflecting renewed interest in major bowl games. Offensive firepower dominates recent scorelines—four of the last five games featured at least 90 combined points, highlighting evolving offensive strategies in modern college football.

Ticket and Attendance Information

The Rose Bowl Stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 92,542, making it one of the largest non-NFL stadiums in the U.S. Tickets for today’s game were distributed through university allocations, conference shares, and limited public sales via verified resale platforms like Ticketmaster and SeatGeek.

Average resale prices reached $650 per ticket, with premium sideline seats exceeding $1,500. Despite high costs, demand remains robust due to the playoff implications and historical prestige of the venue.

About XX的常见问题

What time does the Rose Bowl game start today in Central Time?

The Rose Bowl Game starts at 4:00 PM Central Time on January 1, 2025. This follows the standard conversion from the 5:00 PM Eastern Time kickoff.

Is the Rose Bowl game on TV today? Which channel?

Yes, the Rose Bowl game is televised nationally on ESPN today. Spanish-language coverage is available on ESPN Deportes.

How long does the Rose Bowl game usually last?

A typical Rose Bowl game lasts about 3.5 to 4 hours, including halftime and potential stoppages. Expect the game to conclude around 9:00 PM ET if it starts on time.

Who won the Rose Bowl last year?

In 2024, the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 27–20 in overtime. Blake Corum was named MVP after scoring the game-winning touchdown.

Why is the Rose Bowl game so important?

The Rose Bowl is one of the most prestigious bowl games in college football, often hosting playoff semifinals. Its history, tradition, and prime New Year’s Day slot make it a marquee event in American sports.