The 112th Rose Bowl Game is one of the most anticipated college football games of the year. This College Football Playoff Quarterfinal matchup brings together the Indiana Hoosiers and Alabama Crimson Tide on New Year’s Day 2026.
Here’s everything you need to know about when, where, and what time the Rose Bowl 2026 kicks off.
When is the Rose Bowl 2026?
The Rose Bowl 2026 takes place on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The game follows the long tradition of happening on New Year’s Day. The only time it moves to January 2nd is when New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday.
Where is the Rose Bowl 2026 Played?
The game happens at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. The stadium address is 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103.
Rose Bowl Stadium opened in 1922. It holds about 92,542 fans and ranks as one of America’s largest stadiums. The venue earned recognition as both a National Historic Landmark and a California Historic Civil Engineering landmark.
What Time Does the Rose Bowl 2026 Start?
The 2026 Rose Bowl Game will kick off at 4:00 p.m. EST (1:00 p.m. local PST). Mark your calendar so you don’t miss the spectacle.
2026 Rose Bowl Game Day Schedule
- Parking Lots Open: 4:00 AM
- Rose Parade Starts: 8:00 AM PT
- FanFest Opens: 8:00 AM
- Stadium Gates Open: 10:00 AM
- Pre-Game Show: 12:00 PM PT
- Kickoff: 1:00 PM PT / 4:00 PM ET
Rose Bowl 2026 Time in Different Time Zones
Here’s when the game starts in different time zones:
United States:
- Eastern Time (ET): 4:00 PM
- Central Time (CT): 3:00 PM
- Mountain Time (MT): 2:00 PM
- Pacific Time (PT): 1:00 PM
- Alaska Time (AKT): 12:00 PM
- Hawaii Time (HST): 11:00 AM
International Rose Bowl 2026 Start Times:
- UK Rose Bowl time: 9:00 PM GMT
- Canada Rose Bowl time: 4:00 PM ET
- Australia Rose Bowl time: 8:00 AM AEDT*
- Japan Rose Bowl time: 6:00 AM JST*
- Mexico Rose Bowl time: 3:00 PM CST
- New Zealand Rose Bowl time: 10:00 AM NZDT*
- South Korea Rose Bowl time: 6:00 AM KST*
- Germany Rose Bowl time: 10:00 PM CET
- Philippines Rose Bowl time: 5:00 AM PST*
- Brazil Rose Bowl time: 6:00 PM BRT
- India Rose Bowl time: 2:30 AM IST*
Note: *marks indicate Friday, January 2, 2026.
Also Check: What time is the Super Bowl 2026?
Who will play in the Rose Bowl 2026?
The 2026 Rose Bowl features No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (13-0) against No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-3) in a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal.
This marks the first time Indiana and Alabama have played each other in football. Indiana enters the game as the only undefeated team in college football. The Hoosiers won their first Big Ten Championship since 1967 by beating Ohio State 13-10.
The winner moves on to play in the CFP Semifinal at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
Where to Watch the 2026 Rose Bowl Game?
The 2026 Rose Bowl Game airs on ESPN. Cable subscribers can watch on their TV. You can also stream the game on the ESPN app or WatchESPN with a cable or streaming service login.
Several streaming services carry ESPN. These include Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV and FuboTV. Just make sure your service includes ESPN.
Short History of Rose Bowl
The Rose Bowl started in 1902. It’s the oldest bowl game in college football. People call it the “Granddaddy of Them All.”
The game happens every year on January 1st at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. It’s part of the Tournament of Roses celebration. The famous Rose Parade also happens on the same day.
The game usually features teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences. This changes when the Rose Bowl serves as a College Football Playoff game.
The Rose Bowl is more than just a football game. Millions of fans attend in person or watch on TV. The event draws people in with its festive atmosphere and New Year’s traditions.
2026 Rose Bowl Key Information
How much are Rose Bowl 2026 tickets?
Rose Bowl 2026 tickets start at $196.95 plus service fees. You can buy them on Ticketmaster.com.
All tickets are mobile-only. You won’t get paper tickets. Every person needs a ticket including babies and young children. There’s no free admission for anyone.
The only authorized ticket sellers are:
- Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association
- The participating schools and conferences
- Ticketmaster
- rosebowlpremiumseating.com
On Location sells official hospitality packages. These packages include game tickets plus extras like pregame access, food and drinks, Rose Parade tickets and transportation.
The tournament does not replace lost tickets. Keep your mobile tickets safe and secure.
How do I get to the Rose Bowl Stadium?
The stadium is at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103. You can drive and park for $59 if you buy early or $70 on game day.
Take the Metro A Line to Memorial Park Station for public transit. Free shuttles run from there to the stadium. You can also catch free shuttles from Pasadena Ave. between Walnut St. and Holly St.
Parking at the Parsons Building lot costs $65 plus a $5 fee. Rideshare drop-offs happen on Holly St. between Fair Oaks Ave. and Raymond Ave.
Try to arrive before 10:00 AM or after 11:30 AM. This helps you avoid Rose Parade traffic.
What is the Rose Bowl Stadium seating capacity?
Rose Bowl Stadium holds 92,542 fans. This makes it the 11th largest stadium in the United States and the biggest in California.
The stadium opened in 1922 and has 77 numbered rows. Indiana fans sit in the West and North sections. Alabama fans sit in the East and South sections.
Can I tailgate at the Rose Bowl?
Yes. Tailgating is allowed in all general parking lots. You must set up in front of or behind your vehicle only.
You can bring a tent up to 10 feet by 10 feet. Raised charcoal grills and propane grills are fine to use. Bring plastic or disposable cups for drinks.
Glass containers are not allowed. You cannot use open flames or play loud music. Charcoal grills are banned in RV parking areas on West Drive.
Parking lots open at 4:00 AM. They close 90 minutes after the game ends. No overnight parking is allowed except in designated RV lots.
Clean up your area before you head into the stadium. Bring trash bags with you to make cleanup easier.
What time does the Rose Parade start?
The 137th Rose Parade starts at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on January 1, 2026. That’s 11:00 AM Eastern Time.
This year’s theme is “The Magic in Teamwork.” NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson is the Grand Marshal. The parade goes 5.5 miles down Colorado Boulevard.
The Rose Bowl Game starts at 1:00 PM PT after the parade ends. Plan your day carefully because there’s limited time between events.
Who won the Rose Bowl in 2025?
Ohio State beat Oregon 41-21 in the 2025 Rose Bowl on January 1, 2025. The Buckeyes led 34-0 at halftime.
Freshman Jeremiah Smith caught 187 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ohio State then beat Texas in the Cotton Bowl semifinal. They finished the season by beating Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship game to win the 2024-25 title.
The Rose Bowl 2026 brings an exciting playoff game on January 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET in Pasadena. Indiana’s perfect season meets Alabama’s playoff experience. You can watch it on ESPN whether you’re at the stadium or at home.