New Year’s Day 2027 will bring one of the most exciting moments in college football. A historic stadium, two elite teams, and a playoff berth on the line — it is the kind of event that earns its place on every fan’s bucket list. Whether you plan to be there in person or watch from home, this guide covers everything you need to know before kickoff.
The Date: January 1, 2027
The 2027 Rose Bowl is scheduled to be played on January 1, 2027, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. That is a Friday, which means New Year’s Day falls on a weekday this time around. Fans traveling from out of state can plan a long holiday weekend without missing a day of work.
The Rose Bowl Game immediately follows the Rose Parade each year, with both events taking place as part of the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, California. Therefore, if you attend in person, you can experience two iconic traditions in a single day — the parade in the morning and kickoff in the afternoon.
The Game: A College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
This is not just any bowl game. The 113th annual Rose Bowl will be one of the 2026–27 College Football Playoff quarterfinal games, with the winner advancing to the semifinals.
The winner of this game will advance to the College Football Playoff Semifinals and then on to the National Championship. So every play, every drive, and every score carries enormous weight. A trip to Pasadena is also a step toward a national title.
The Rose Bowl will feature two College Football Playoff teams — one of the four highest-ranked teams, which will receive a bye to the quarterfinals, and a winner of a CFP first-round game. The stakes could hardly be higher.
Teams: Who Is Playing?
This year’s Rose Bowl will feature a matchup between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Alabama Crimson Tide, with the winner of the game advancing to the College Football Playoff Semifinals.
It is a compelling pairing. Alabama is one of the most decorated programs in college football history. Indiana, meanwhile, has continued its remarkable rise as a legitimate national contender. Fans of both programs will make the trek to Southern California, and the atmosphere inside the stadium is expected to be electric.
Additionally, the seating arrangement inside the venue reflects the playoff structure. During the CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game, the higher-seeded team (seeds 1–4) will be on the West sideline with their fans seated in the West and North sections of the stadium. The lower-seeded team (seeds 5–12) will be on the East sideline with fans seated in the East and South sections. Knowing this in advance helps you pick the right seats when buying tickets.
Kickoff Time: What Time Does It Start?
The Rose Bowl Game will kick off at either 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. PT. The exact kickoff slot is determined by the CFP schedule announcement. However, historical precedent and the likely slot suggest a 1 p.m. PT start, which means 4 p.m. ET on the East Coast.
Plan your day accordingly. If you are attending in person, the Rose Parade runs in the morning along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. Gates at the stadium typically open two to three hours before kickoff, giving you plenty of time to find your seat, explore the concourse, and soak in the atmosphere before the action begins.
TV Coverage: How to Watch
ESPN will broadcast CFP Quarterfinals on Friday, January 1, at 4 p.m. on ABC and ESPN, and at 8 p.m. on ESPN. TNT Sports will broadcast CFP Quarterfinals on Friday, January 1, at noon.
This means you have multiple options for watching the game from home, depending on your cable or streaming provider. ABC is the most widely accessible of these networks, making it easy for fans across the country to tune in without a premium subscription.
For cord-cutters, platforms that carry ESPN and ABC live — including ESPN+, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo TV — will all be options to consider. If you are traveling and want to catch the game on the go, the ESPN app allows streaming on mobile devices with a qualifying subscription.
The Stadium: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California
Few venues in American sports carry the legacy of this one. The Rose Bowl Stadium is located at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive in Pasadena, California, and is owned by the City of Pasadena. It sits at an elevation of 830 feet and has a seating capacity of 89,702.
In the Arroyo Seco, at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, the Rose Bowl fills a canyon in Pasadena, California, about 11 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. With mountain views rising beyond the rim of the bowl on a clear day, it is one of the most beautiful venues in American sports.
The stadium’s name derives from the Rose Bowl game, held here every year since January 1, 1923. Nicknamed “The Granddaddy of Them All,” this place is where all bowl games took their name from.
The stadium’s history goes well beyond football. The Rose Bowl has hosted five Super Bowls, the 1994 World Cup Final, the 1999 Women’s World Cup Final, and Olympic soccer in 1984, and will host soccer again at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The all-time attendance record stands at 106,869, set at the 1973 Rose Bowl. The field surface is Bermuda grass. There is a reason generations of fans have called a visit to this stadium a bucket-list experience.
Tickets: How to Get In
Tickets are available now through multiple channels, and demand is high. Tickets are available online via Ticketmaster, giving fans the opportunity to secure individual tickets for The Granddaddy of Them All. A maximum of four tickets per person will be available during the Rose Bowl Game ticket public sale. Individual ticket prices start at $202.90, including fees.
On the secondary market, prices are considerably higher. The cheapest get-in price for the CFP Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium is currently $382.00, and the average ticket price is $1,030.70. The most expensive ticket for this game is $4,245.00.
If you are looking for hospitality packages, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses has renewed its partnership with On Location as the Official Hospitality and Corporate Travel Package Provider for the Rose Bowl Game. On Location offers packages including official game tickets with options to include reserved Rose Parade tickets, pre-game hospitality at the Official Rose Bowl Hospitality Village, and meet and greets with NCAA Legends.
Additionally, travel packages from specialist companies bundle game tickets with hotel accommodations, transportation, and parade access. These packages simplify the logistics significantly, especially for fans traveling from outside Southern California.
Getting to the Stadium
The Rose Bowl Stadium is accessible by car, transit, and shuttle. However, parking fills up fast, and walking distances can be significant depending on where you park.
You can take the Metro A Line (Gold Line) to Memorial Park station in Pasadena, then ride the free Foothill Transit shuttle from the Parsons Lot at Holly Street and Fair Oaks Avenue. The shuttle runs from 9 a.m. until two hours after event conclusion.
For those driving, the Brookside Golf Course lots surround the stadium and are where most fans park and tailgate. Parking for major bowl games tends to sell out or fill up well before kickoff, so arriving early is strongly recommended. If you can take transit, it is often the faster and more relaxed option on game day.
The Rose Parade: A New Year’s Morning Tradition
No trip to Pasadena on January 1 is complete without the Rose Parade. The Tournament of Roses Parade is one of the longest-running and most watched annual events in the United States. It runs along Colorado Boulevard through the heart of Pasadena in the hours before the game.
The Tournament of Roses Parade is held every year before the Rose Bowl Game and is one of the largest New Year’s Day celebrations in the country, with around 1 million people watching the parade along its route.
The parade features elaborately decorated floats covered entirely in flowers and natural materials, marching bands from across the country, and equestrian units. It is a spectacle unlike anything else in sports or entertainment. Many travel packages for the game include reserved parade viewing seats, which provide a comfortable spot along the route without the need to camp out overnight.
Pasadena and Los Angeles: What to Do Around the Game
Pasadena is a charming city with a great deal to offer beyond the stadium. Old Town Pasadena features an excellent selection of restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance of the main parade route. The city comes alive in the days surrounding New Year’s with a festive atmosphere that makes the whole trip feel like a celebration.
Los Angeles is just 11 miles away, and the options for sightseeing, dining, and entertainment are limitless. Many visitors combine the bowl game trip with a few days in LA, visiting landmarks like Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Hollywood, and the Getty Center.
Weather in Pasadena on New Year’s Day is typically mild and pleasant. Expect temperatures in the low-to-mid 60s Fahrenheit with clear skies and plenty of sunshine. It is a welcome escape from winter for fans traveling from colder parts of the country.
The Official Sponsor: Presented by Prudential
Sponsored by the Prudential financial services company, the game is officially known as the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. Prudential has been associated with the bowl game as part of the College Football Playoff’s broader sponsorship framework. The official name for the upcoming edition is the CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential.
Conclusion
The 2027 Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2027, is one of the most anticipated events in college football. Held at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, the game brings together Indiana and Alabama in a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal, with a semifinal berth and a path to the national title at stake. Kickoff is expected at 1 p.m. PT, with coverage on ESPN and ABC available to fans watching at home. Tickets start at $202.90 through Ticketmaster, though secondary market prices are significantly higher. The stadium itself holds nearly 90,000 fans and sits against the stunning backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains. Add the Rose Parade in the morning and the energy of New Year’s Day in Pasadena, and you have one of the great experiences in all of American sports. Plan early, book your tickets now, and get ready for a day you will not forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2027 Rose Bowl Game?
The 2027 Rose Bowl Game is scheduled for Friday, January 1, 2027. It takes place annually on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California, as part of the Tournament of Roses celebration.
What time does the 2027 Rose Bowl kick off?
Kickoff is expected at either 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. PT. The exact time will be confirmed when the CFP bracket is announced on ESPN in early December 2026. A 1 p.m. PT start is the most likely slot.
What channel is the 2027 Rose Bowl on?
The game will air on ESPN and ABC. TNT Sports is also broadcasting certain CFP Quarterfinal games during the same weekend. Cable, satellite, and streaming platforms that carry these networks will all be options for fans watching at home.
How do I buy tickets for the 2027 Rose Bowl?
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, the official ticketing platform, with individual prices starting at $202.90 including fees. A maximum of four tickets per person applies during the public sale. Hospitality packages are available through On Location, the official package provider, and include game tickets, parade access, and pre-game experiences.
Where is the Rose Bowl Stadium located, and how do I get there?
The Rose Bowl Stadium is located at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive in Pasadena, California, approximately 11 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Fans can drive and park at the surrounding Brookside Golf Course lots or take the Metro A Line to Memorial Park station and use the free Foothill Transit shuttle to the stadium.
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