Who Plays in the Rose Bowl Stadium? Teams & Events

By Sarah Miller · September 15, 2046

The Rose Bowl Stadium primarily hosts college football teams, most notably the annual Rose Bowl Game featuring teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences, and serves as the home field for the UCLA Bruins football team.

Overview of Teams That Play at the Rose Bowl Stadium

The Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California is one of the most iconic outdoor athletic venues in the United States. While it hosts a variety of events throughout the year, its primary tenants and participants are football teams, both collegiate and international.

Primary Regular Teams

UCLA Bruins (NCAA Football): The University of California, Los Angeles football team has called the Rose Bowl its home stadium since 1982.
Rose Bowl Game Participants: Annually features top teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences, though matchups may vary under the College Football Playoff system.

Occasional and Special Event Teams

College Football Playoff Contenders: Selected national semifinalists every three years on rotation.
U.S. Men's and Women's National Soccer Teams: Frequently play exhibition and qualifying matches at the venue due to its historic significance and capacity.
LA Galaxy (MLS): Used the stadium temporarily during renovations or special tournaments like the CONCACAF Champions League finals.
High School All-Star Games and Local Championships: Hosts CIF Southern Section football finals and all-star games annually.

Rose Bowl Game History and Conference Tie-Ins

Historically known as the "Granddaddy of Them All," the Rose Bowl Game has deep conference affiliations that shape which teams appear each year.

Traditional Conference Matchups

Prior to the College Football Playoff era, the game traditionally featured:

Champion of the Pac-12 Conference (or its predecessor, the Pac-10)
Champion of the Big Ten Conference

While still honoring these ties when possible, the Rose Bowl now also hosts College Football Playoff semifinals in a rotating cycle, altering participant selection in those years.

UCLA Bruins: The Primary Tenant

Since 1982, the UCLA Bruins football team has played its home games at the Rose Bowl, making them the stadium’s longest-standing regular occupant.

UCLA's Use of the Facility

Regular season NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) games
Homecoming and rivalry games against USC (though the Coliseum is closer, tradition keeps the location at the Rose Bowl)
Team practices and administrative operations are based at UCLA; the stadium is used only for games and special events

Year	Event	Teams	Audience (approx.)
2023	Rose Bowl Game	Penn State vs. Utah	89,176
2022	CFP Semifinal	TCU vs. Michigan	81,478
2020	Rose Bowl Game	Ohio State vs. Clemson	88,902
2019	Rose Bowl Game	Oregon vs. Wisconsin	88,983
2018	Rose Bowl Game	Georgia vs. Oklahoma	88,948

Table data source:1, 2

The attendance figures consistently exceed 80,000, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the Rose Bowl Game. Even in College Football Playoff years with non-traditional matchups, fan turnout remains high, reflecting strong national interest and brand equity.

International and Other Sporting Events

Beyond American football, the Rose Bowl has hosted numerous high-profile soccer matches, including FIFA World Cup and Women’s World Cup games, as well as Olympic events.

Notable Non-Football Events

1994 FIFA World Cup Final: Brazil defeated Italy in a penalty shootout.
1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final: USA beat China in a historic match that boosted women’s soccer popularity.
Olympic Soccer Tournaments: Hosted matches during the 1984 and 2028 Summer Olympics.
CONCACAF Gold Cup Finals: Recurring venue for regional championship deciders.

Frequently Asked Questions About Who Plays in the Rose Bowl Stadium

Who plays in the Rose Bowl Stadium every year?

The Rose Bowl Stadium hosts multiple teams annually. The UCLA Bruins play all their home football games there. Additionally, the annual Rose Bowl Game features either top teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12 or, every three years, College Football Playoff semifinalists.

Does USC play in the Rose Bowl Stadium?

USC does not use the Rose Bowl as its home stadium—it plays at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. However, USC has played in the Rose Bowl Game multiple times and occasionally uses the venue for neutral-site or postseason games.

Do any professional football teams play at the Rose Bowl?

No NFL team currently plays at the Rose Bowl. However, some MLS teams, like the LA Galaxy, have used it for special matches, particularly international club competitions such as the CONCACAF Champions League final.

Which college teams typically play in the Rose Bowl Game?

Traditionally, the champions of the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences play in the Rose Bowl Game. When the game serves as a College Football Playoff semifinal, it hosts two of the top four ranked teams regardless of conference.

Has the Rose Bowl Stadium hosted World Cup games?

Yes, the Rose Bowl Stadium hosted the 1994 FIFA Men's World Cup Final, where Brazil defeated Italy, and the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, where the United States won in a landmark moment for women’s sports.