Who Plays in the Rose Bowl? Teams, Selection & History

By Sarah Miller · October 17, 2048

The Rose Bowl features college football teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences, with matchups determined by conference standings and bowl agreements. In years when it serves as a College Football Playoff semifinal, top-ranked national teams compete instead.

What Is the Rose Bowl and How Are Teams Selected?

The Rose Bowl Game is one of the oldest and most prestigious bowl games in college football, traditionally held on January 1st (or January 2) at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Known as "The Granddaddy of Them All," it dates back to 1902 and has been an annual event since 1916.

Traditional Tie-Ins

Under normal circumstances, the game hosts the champions—or highest-ranked available teams—from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences. This longstanding tradition emphasizes regional and competitive balance between teams from the eastern and western United States.

Big Ten Conference representative
Pac-12 Conference representative
Teams must be bowl-eligible with a winning record
Selection based on final conference rankings and CFP standings

College Football Playoff Impact

When the Rose Bowl is designated as a College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal site, its traditional tie-ins are suspended. Instead, the game hosts two of the top four teams selected by the CFP committee.

This occurs approximately every three years under the current CFP rotation. During playoff years, the Big Ten and Pac-12 teams may be sent to other New Year's Six bowls.

Rose Bowl Participants: Recent Examples

In non-playoff years, the game reverts to its traditional format. Below is a table showing recent participants and outcomes:

Year	Winner	Score	Runner-up	Attendance	Game Type
2024	Washington	37–31	Texas	88,988	CFP Semifinal
2023	Utah	35–32	Ohio State	88,908	Non-Playoff
2020	LSU	40–6	Clemson	88,177	CFP Semifinal
2019	Oregon	28–27	Wisconsin	87,817	Non-Playoff
2018	Georgia	28–7	Oklahoma	89,328	CFP Semifinal

Table data source:1, 2

Data shows that attendance consistently exceeds 87,000, reflecting the game's enduring popularity. While traditional conference matchups dominate non-playoff years, elite national programs appear during CFP cycles, increasing competitive intensity and viewership.

Factors Influencing Team Selection

Several key factors determine which teams play in the Rose Bowl:

Conference Performance

Both the Big Ten and Pac-12 have contractual obligations to send their highest-ranked available teams unless those teams qualify for the College Football Playoff.

Ranking and Eligibility

Teams must finish the regular season with at least six wins (seven if including conference championships) to be bowl-eligible. Final College Football Playoff rankings heavily influence selections during non-playoff years.

Bowl Substitutions

If a conference champion is selected for the CFP, the next highest-ranked eligible team from that conference takes its place in the Rose Bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions About Who Plays in the Rose Bowl

Who plays in the Rose Bowl in 2025?

The 2025 Rose Bowl, scheduled for January 1, 2025, will feature the Big Ten representative against the Pac-12 representative. Specific teams will be confirmed after the conclusion of the 2024 regular season and conference championship games.

Do only Big Ten and Pac-12 teams play in the Rose Bowl?

Traditionally yes, but not exclusively. When the Rose Bowl hosts a College Football Playoff semifinal, it features top-ranked teams regardless of conference. In such cases, Big Ten and Pac-12 teams may be assigned to other New Year’s Six bowls.

How are teams chosen for the Rose Bowl?

Teams are selected based on final conference standings and College Football Playoff rankings. The highest-ranked available team from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences earns the bid, unless the game is serving as a CFP semifinal.

Has a team from outside the Big Ten or Pac-12 ever played in the Rose Bowl?

Yes. In College Football Playoff years, the Rose Bowl hosts two of the top four ranked teams in the nation. For example, in 2020, LSU (SEC) defeated Clemson (ACC) in the Rose Bowl when it served as a semifinal game.

What happens if a Big Ten or Pac-12 team makes the College Football Playoff?

If a conference champion qualifies for the CFP, the next highest-ranked eligible team from that conference fills the Rose Bowl spot. For instance, if Ohio State (Big Ten) makes the playoff, the next best Big Ten team would represent the conference in the Rose Bowl.