For more than a century, the Rose Bowl game has defined New Year’s Day football in Pasadena. Launched in 1902 and played annually since 1916, it helped invent the idea of a postseason showcase and remains a cornerstone of the sport, anchoring the New Year’s Six. Fans who secure Rose Bowl tickets are signing up for more than four quarters: they get the pregame buzz around the Rose Parade, views of the San Gabriel Mountains, and a bucket-list setting many college fans consider a rite of passage. Grab your Rose Bowl tickets at Event Tickets Center and make New Year’s Day feel truly big-time!
This is a spotlight as a College Football Playoff quarterfinal, with the Rose Bowl game hosting the No. 1 seed, Indiana, against the winner of the Oklahoma vs. Alabama first-round matchup. Indiana arrives in Pasadena with an undefeated record and Big Ten title, while its opponent will have already survived a high-pressure road test in the new 12-team format. That combination of a top seed and a battle-tested challenger should deliver classic New Year’s Day drama.
If you are wondering when is the Rose Bowl this year, the 2026 College Football Playoff quarterfinal kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, with a midafternoon start at 1:00 p.m. PST. The game caps a week of Tournament of Roses events, from bandfest performances to fan activities around Pasadena that turn New Year’s week into a full celebration.
Rose Bowl Stadium, set against the San Gabriel Mountains in Pasadena, California, is a 90,000-plus-seat landmark that has hosted college classics, Super Bowls, and World Cup matches since 1922. The Rose Bowl Stadium seating chart helps fans compare lower-bowl sidelines close to the bands, end zone seats near the tunnel, and upper-level views that frame the field and backdrop, so you can choose the game-day perspective that fits your style.
Every season adds a new chapter to college football’s storied stage, and the 2026 quarterfinal promises stakes worthy of the Rose Bowl name. With a College Football Playoff berth on the line and a New Year’s setting few venues can match, this is a one-shot event for fans. Secure your Rose Bowl tickets through Event Tickets Center today and be there when Pasadena hosts another Granddaddy-sized showdown!