Who Plays in the Rose Bowl Game? Teams & Rules Explained

By Sarah Miller · October 29, 2044

The Rose Bowl Game features the champions of the Big Ten Conference and the Pac-12 Conference, unless a team is selected for the College Football Playoff. For the 2025 game, the matchup will be determined after conference championships in December 2024.

What Is the Rose Bowl Game?

The Rose Bowl Game is one of the oldest and most prestigious bowl games in college football. First played in 1902, it has become a New Year's tradition, typically held on January 1 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Known as "The Granddaddy of Them All," it is part of the New Year's Six bowl games and often hosts matchups with major national implications.

Historical Significance

The game gained its iconic status through decades of high-profile contests between top teams from across the country. It was a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and now rotates as a host site for the College Football Playoff (CFP).

First played: January 1, 1902 (revived annually since 1916)
Venue: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA
Capacity: Approximately 92,542
Broadcast network: ESPN (recent contracts)

Who Plays in the Rose Bowl Game?

Under normal circumstances, the Rose Bowl Game hosts the conference champions from the Big Ten and the Pac-12. This traditional tie-in has been in place for decades. However, when either or both teams are selected for the College Football Playoff, replacements are drawn from the same conferences, typically based on highest-ranked available teams.

Selection Criteria Overview

Non-Playoff Years: Big Ten Champion vs. Pac-12 Champion
Playoff Years: If one champion is in the CFP, the next highest-ranked team from that conference fills the spot
Conference Realignment Impact: With recent changes (e.g., USC and UCLA moving to Big Ten in 2024), future matchups may evolve

Rose Bowl Game Recent Matchups and Results

Year	Teams	Final Score	MVP	Attendance
2024	Michigan vs. Alabama	27–20 (OT)	Blake Corum (Michigan)	86,151
2023	Utah vs. Penn State	35–21	Cameron Rising (Utah)	81,688
2020	Ohio State vs. Clemson	29–23	Justin Fields (Ohio State)	80,814
2019	Oregon vs. Wisconsin	27–21	Justin Herbert (Oregon)	81,458
2018	Georgia vs. Oklahoma	54–48 (2OT)	Aaron Murray (Georgia)	83,218

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows high-scoring, competitive games in recent years, reflecting the elite level of play. Attendance remains strong, averaging over 80,000, even with fluctuations due to playoff realignments and weather. The 2024 game marked a rare appearance by an SEC team (Alabama) due to playoff substitutions.

Impact of the College Football Playoff

Since the introduction of the 12-team College Football Playoff format in 2024, the Rose Bowl’s role has evolved. It serves as a quarterfinal site every three years and otherwise reverts to its traditional Big Ten vs. Pac-12 matchup.

Key Changes in 2024 and Beyond

The 2024 Rose Bowl was a semifinal game, featuring top-seeded teams outside the traditional conferences
In non-semifinal years, the primary tie-ins remain intact
Future selections will prioritize CFP rankings when determining replacements

Frequently Asked Questions About the Rose Bowl Game

When is the next Rose Bowl Game?

The next Rose Bowl Game is scheduled for January 1, 2025, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Kickoff is expected around 5:00 PM Eastern Time and will be broadcast on ESPN.

Why doesn't the Pac-12 have a champion in 2024?

The Pac-12 effectively dissolved after the 2023 season due to mass school departures. For the 2024 game, the 'Pac-12 representative' will be the highest-ranked team remaining from the conference under existing agreements, such as Oregon or Washington.

Can a team from the SEC play in the Rose Bowl?

Yes, but only if the team is selected for the College Football Playoff and the Rose Bowl is hosting a semifinal game. Otherwise, the game traditionally features Big Ten and Pac-12 teams.

How are Rose Bowl teams selected if one goes to the playoff?

If a conference champion qualifies for the CFP, the next highest-ranked team from the same conference, per the CFP Selection Committee, takes their place in the Rose Bowl, maintaining the conference tie-in.

Has the Rose Bowl always been on January 1?

Mostly yes, but when January 1 falls on a Sunday, the game is moved to January 2 to avoid conflict with NFL games. This exception has been in place since the 1940s.