Who Plays at the Rose Bowl? Teams, Schedule & History

By Sarah Miller · March 8, 2053

The Rose Bowl hosts a variety of teams throughout the year, but most notably the annual Rose Bowl Game, which features top-ranked college football teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences, and occasionally other Power Five schools during College Football Playoff (CFP) years. Additionally, UCLA Bruins play their home games at the Rose Bowl Stadium each season.

What Is the Rose Bowl and Why Is It Important?

The Rose Bowl is both a historic stadium in Pasadena, California, and one of the oldest and most prestigious bowl games in college football. Since 1902, the Rose Bowl Game has been a centerpiece of the New Year's Six bowl games and serves as a marquee event in the NCAA postseason.

A Legacy of Tradition

First played in 1902, making it the oldest American postseason college football game.
Held annually on January 1 (or January 2 if New Year's Day falls on a Sunday).
Known as "The Granddaddy of Them All" due to its longevity and prestige.
Part of the New Year's Six rotation for the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Which Teams Play in the Rose Bowl Game?

Under normal circumstances, the Rose Bowl Game features the champions of the Big Ten Conference and the Pac-12 Conference. However, when the game is selected as a CFP semifinal site, it hosts two of the top four ranked teams in the nation regardless of conference affiliation.

Rose Bowl Selection Rules

Non-Playoff Years: Big Ten vs. Pac-12 champion (with tie-ins).
CFP Semifinal Years: Top-four teams as determined by the CFP selection committee.
If conference champions are unavailable, backup teams from the same conference are selected.
Exceptions occur due to conference realignment or playoff qualification.

Year	Teams	Conference	Result	Attendance
2024	Michigan vs. Alabama	Big Ten / SEC	Michigan 27–20 (OT)	93,128
2023	TCU vs. Michigan	Big 12 / Big Ten	Michigan 51–45	89,185
2022	Utah vs. Ohio State	Pac-12 / Big Ten	Ohio State 48–45	56,232
2021	Alabama vs. Notre Dame	SEC / Independent	Alabama 31–14	0 (COVID-19)
2020	LSU vs. Clemson	SEC / ACC	LSU 25–24	89,191

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows a shift in team representation due to College Football Playoff selections and conference realignment. Notably, traditional Pac-12 and Big Ten matchups were replaced by SEC and ACC teams in recent CFP years. Attendance rebounded strongly in 2024 after pandemic-related restrictions.

Who Plays Their Home Games at the Rose Bowl Stadium?

Beyond the annual bowl game, the UCLA Bruins football team plays its home games at the Rose Bowl Stadium. UCLA has used the venue since 1982, despite being based in Westwood, approximately 12 miles away.

UCLA at the Rose Bowl

Home stadium for UCLA since 1982.
Capacity: ~91,136 (third-largest FBS stadium).
Hosts six to eight home games annually during the regular season.
Also used for special events like concerts and soccer matches.

Other Events Held at the Rose Bowl Stadium

While best known for college football, the Rose Bowl Stadium hosts several other major events:

Soccer: FIFA World Cup matches (1994), CONCACAF Gold Cup, and international friendlies.
Concerts: Major artists including The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift.
Religious Events: Large-scale gatherings such as Billy Graham crusades.
College Sports: NCAA lacrosse championships and high school all-star games.

Frequently Asked Questions About Who Plays at the Rose Bowl

Who played in the Rose Bowl last year?

In 2024, the Rose Bowl Game featured #1 Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten) vs. #4 Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC) in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Michigan won 27–20 in overtime.

Do the USC Trojans play at the Rose Bowl?

USC does not use the Rose Bowl as its primary home stadium—they play at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. However, USC has played in the Rose Bowl Game multiple times as a Pac-12 representative and may use the stadium for special events.

Why doesn't UCLA play in the Rose Bowl Game every year?

UCLA plays its home games at the Rose Bowl but only appears in the Rose Bowl Game if they win the Pac-12 Championship (or are highly ranked). They have qualified only a few times since moving to the stadium in 1982.

Which NFL teams have played at the Rose Bowl?

No NFL team currently plays at the Rose Bowl. The Los Angeles Rams and Chargers now play at SoFi Stadium. However, the USFL's Los Angeles Express played there briefly in the 1980s.

Will the 2026 World Cup be held at the Rose Bowl?

Yes, the Rose Bowl is scheduled to host matches during the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, including a semi-final game, reaffirming its status as a premier global sports venue.