Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl, often referred to as “The Granddaddy of Them All,” is the oldest and one of the most prestigious college postseason football games in the United States. Played annually on January 1st (or January 2nd when New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday), the game is a centerpiece of the college football season and is steeped in tradition, pageantry, and high-stakes competition.

The first Rose Bowl game was played on January 1, 1902, as part of the Tournament of Roses festivities in Pasadena, California. Organized by the Tournament of Roses Association, the inaugural game featured Stanford University against the University of Michigan. Michigan dominated the game, winning 49-0, leading to a temporary suspension of football in favor of chariot races. However, football returned to stay in 1916, and the Rose Bowl has been held annually ever since, with the exception of a few years during World War II.

The Rose Bowl Stadium, an iconic venue located in Pasadena, became the permanent home of the game in 1923. Known for its picturesque setting against the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, the stadium has a seating capacity of over 88,000 and has hosted numerous memorable moments in college football history.

Traditionally, the Rose Bowl has featured champions from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences. This arrangement, which began in 1947, became a hallmark of the game, showcasing some of the best teams and athletes in college football. The partnership has produced classic matchups and unforgettable performances, solidifying the Rose Bowl’s reputation as a premier sporting event.

With the advent of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) in 1998 and later the College Football Playoff (CFP) in 2014, the Rose Bowl’s role evolved. It now alternates between hosting a traditional Big Ten-Pac-12 matchup and serving as a CFP semifinal game. Despite these changes, the game has retained its distinctive charm and significance.

The Rose Bowl is more than just a football game; it is a celebration of tradition and community. The game is preceded by the Rose Parade, a vibrant procession featuring elaborate floral floats, marching bands, and equestrian units. The parade, which dates back to 1890, attracts millions of spectators each year and is broadcast worldwide.

The Rose Bowl Hall of Fame honors players, coaches, and contributors who have left a lasting impact on the game. Inductees include legendary figures such as Woody Hayes, John Wooden, and Vince Young, whose performances in the Rose Bowl have become iconic.

Memorable Rose Bowl Moments

The Rose Bowl has been the stage for numerous unforgettable games and individual performances. Some of the most notable moments include:

  • 2006: Texas vs. USC: In one of the greatest college football games ever played, Texas quarterback Vince Young led the Longhorns to a dramatic 41-38 victory over the USC Trojans, clinching the national championship.
  • 1963: Wisconsin vs. USC: The first Rose Bowl to feature two No. 1-ranked teams, this game ended in a thrilling 42-37 victory for USC.
  • 1942: Oregon State vs. Duke: Due to fears of a Japanese attack on the West Coast during World War II, this game was relocated to Durham, North Carolina, marking the only time the Rose Bowl was played outside of Pasadena.

The Rose Bowl generates significant economic activity for the Pasadena area, attracting visitors from across the country. It also holds a special place in the cultural fabric of college football, symbolizing excellence, tradition, and the enduring appeal of amateur sports.

As college football continues to evolve, the Rose Bowl remains a cherished institution, embodying the spirit of competition and camaraderie that defines the sport. Whether hosting a traditional matchup or a CFP semifinal, “The Granddaddy of Them All” continues to captivate fans and celebrate the rich history of college football.

The Rose Bowl was the site of the 2002 and 2006 BCS National Championship Games. After the 2024 Rose Bowl, the USC Trojans have appeared in the Rose Bowl more than any other school with 34 appearances while Michigan’s 21 Rose Bowls are the second most. Ohio State has appeared in the Rose Bowl 16 times and Washington 15 times.

 

Past Rose Bowl games & results:

  • 2024 Rose Bowl – Ohio State 41 – Oregon 21 – January 1, 2025
  • 2023 Rose Bowl – Michigan 27 – Alabama 20 – OT – Jan. 1, 2024
  • 2022 Rose Bowl – Penn State 35 – Utah 21 – Jan. 2, 2023
  • 2021 Rose Bowl – Ohio State 48 – Utah 45 – Jan. 1, 2022
  • 2020 Rose Bowl – Alabama 31 – Notre Dame 14 – Jan. 1, 2021
  • 2019 Rose Bowl – Oregon 28 – Wisconsin 27 – Jan. 1, 2020
  • 2018 Rose Bowl – Ohio State 28 – Washington 23 – Jan. 1, 2019
  • 2017 Rose Bowl – Georgia 54 – Oklahoma 48 – 2 OT – Jan. 1, 2018
  • 2016 Rose Bowl – USC 52 – Penn State 49 – Jan. 2, 2017
  • 2015 Rose Bowl – Stanford 45 – Iowa 16 – Jan. 1, 2016
  • 2014 Rose Bowl – Oregon 59 – Florida State 20 – Jan. 1, 2015
  • 2013 Rose Bowl – Jan. 1, 2014 – Michigan State 24 – Stanford 20
  • 2012 Rose Bowl – Jan. 1, 2013 – Stanford 20 – Wisconsin 14
  • 2011 Rose Bowl – Jan. 2, 2012 – Oregon 45 – Wisconsin 38
  • 2010 Rose Bowl – Jan. 5, 2011 – TCU 21 – Wisconsin 19
  • 2009 Rose Bowl – Jan. 1, 2010 – Ohio State 26 – Oregon 17
  • 2009 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 2009 USC 38 Penn State 24
  • 2008 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 2008 USC 49 Illinois 17
  • 2007 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 2007 USC 32 Michigan 18
  • 2006 Rose Bowl* Jan. 4, 2006 Texas 41 USC 38
  • 2005 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 2005 Texas 38 Michigan 37
  • 2004 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 2004 USC 28 Michigan 14
  • 2003 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 2003 Oklahoma 34 Washington State 14
  • 2002 Rose Bowl * Jan. 3, 2002 Miami (Florida) 37 Nebraska 14
  • 2001 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 2001 Washington 34 Purdue 24
  • 2000 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 2000 Wisconsin 17 Stanford 9
  • 1999 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1999 Wisconsin 38 UCLA 31
  • 1998 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1998 Michigan 21 Washington 16
  • 1997 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1997 Ohio State 20 Arizona State 17
  • 1996 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1996 USC 41 Northwestern 32
  • 1995 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1995 Penn State 38 Oregon 20
  • 1994 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1994 Wisconsin 21 UCLA 16
  • 1993 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1993 Michigan 38 Washington 31
  • 1992 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1992 Washington 34 Michigan 14
  • 1991 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1991 Washington 46 Iowa 34
  • 1990 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1990 USC 17 Michigan 10
  • 1989 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1989 Michigan 22 USC 14
  • 1988 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1988 Michigan State 20 USC 17
  • 1987 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1987 Arizona State 22 Michigan 15
  • 1986 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1986 UCLA 45 Iowa 28
  • 1985 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1985 USC 20 Ohio State 17
  • 1984 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1984 UCLA 45 Illinois 9
  • 1983 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1983 UCLA 24 Michigan 14
  • 1982 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1982 Washington 28 Iowa 0
  • 1981 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1981 Michigan 23 Washington 6
  • 1980 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1980 USC 17 Ohio State 16
  • 1979 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1979 USC 17 Michigan 10
  • 1978 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1978 Washington 27 Michigan 20
  • 1977 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1977 USC 14 Michigan 6
  • 1976 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1976 UCLA 23 Ohio State 10
  • 1975 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1975 USC 18 Ohio State 17
  • 1974 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1974 Ohio State 42 USC 21
  • 1973 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1973 USC 42 Ohio State 17
  • 1972 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1972 Stanford 13 Michigan 12
  • 1971 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1971 Stanford 27 Ohio State 17
  • 1970 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1970 USC 10 Michigan 3
  • 1969 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1969 Ohio State 27 USC 16
  • 1968 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1968 USC 14 Indiana 3
  • 1967 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1967 Purdue 14 USC 13
  • 1966 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1966 UCLA 14 Michigan State 12
  • 1965 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1965 Michigan 34 Oregon State 7
  • 1964 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1964 Illinois 17 Washington 7
  • 1963 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1963 USC 42 Wisconsin 37
  • 1962 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1962 Minnesota 21 UCLA 3
  • 1961 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1961 Washington 17 Minnesota 7
  • 1960 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1960 Washington 44 Wisconsin 8
1959 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1959 Iowa 38 California 12
1958 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1958 Ohio State 10 Oregon 7
1957 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1957 Iowa 35 Oregon State 19
1956 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1956 Michigan State 17 UCLA 14
1955 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1955 Ohio State 20 USC 7
1954 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1954 Michigan State 28 UCLA 20
1953 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1953 USC 7 Wisconsin 0
1952 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1952 Illinois 40 Stanford 7
1951 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1951 Michigan 14 California 6
1950 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1950 Ohio State 17 California 14
1949 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1949 Northwestern 20 California 14
1948 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1948 Michigan 49 USC 0
1947 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1947 Illinois 45 UCLA 14
1946 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1946 Alabama 34 USC 14
1945 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1945 USC 25 Tennessee 0
1944 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1944 USC 29 Washington 0
1943 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1943 Georgia 9 UCLA 0
1942 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1942 Oregon State 20 Duke 16
1941 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1941 Stanford 21 Nebraska 13
1940 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1940 USC 14 Tennessee 0
1939 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1939 USC 7 Duke 3
1938 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1938 California 13 Alabama 0
1937 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1937 Pittsburgh 21 Washington 0
1936 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1936 Stanford 7 SMU 0
1935 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1935 Alabama 29 Stanford 13
1934 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1934 Columbia 7 Stanford 0
1933 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1933 USC 35 Pittsburgh 0
1932 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1932 USC 21 Tulane 12
1931 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1931 Alabama 24 Washington State 0
1930 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1930 USC 47 Pittsburgh 14
1929 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1929 Georgia Tech 8 California 7
1928 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1928 Stanford 7 Pittsburgh 6
1927 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1927 Alabama 7 Stanford 7
1926 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1926 Alabama 20 Washington 19
1925 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1925 Notre Dame 27 Stanford 10
1924 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1924 Navy 14 Washington 14
1923 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1923 USC 14 Penn State 3
1922 Rose Bowl Jan. 2, 1922 California 0 Washington & Jefferson 0
1921 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1921 California 28 Ohio State 0
1920 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1920 Harvard 7 Oregon 6
1919 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1919 Great Lakes 17 Mare Island 0
1918 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1918 Mare Island 19 Camp Lewis 7
1917 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1917 Oregon 14 Pennsylvania 0
1916 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1916 Washington State 14 Brown 0
1902 Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 1902 Michigan 49 Stanford 0