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The Rose Bowl Is Making Big Change To 2026 Game

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 3:20 PM ET

Few venues in sports encapsulate a perfect feeling like the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, as the game has been home to some of the biggest moments in the history of college football.

The Rose Bowl was included in this year's College Football Playoff, as Ohio State defeated conference rival Oregon to cement its place among college football. The Buckeyes would go on to win the national championship for the first time in a decade, but the Rose Bowl was a stepping stone to making that happen.

Organizers in Pasadena plan to run the game on its traditional Jan. 1 date, where it is set to kick off at 4 PM ET instead of 5 PM ET.

That means the iconic Rose Bowl sunset will happen later in the game, and that it could be dark by the time the game ends.

Tournament of Roses CEO David Eads to @TheAthletic:

"We’ve known over the past four or five years our game has run late. We’ve had overtimes, which has thrown off the Sugar Bowl and their timing. … It’s the right role for us to play (in the CFP)"

Also, not a one-year change.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 22, 2025

Some of the biggest plays in college football history have been made in that stadium, including Vince Young's scramble for a touchdown in the 2006 edition of the game.

"We’ve known over the past four or five years our game has run late. We’ve had overtimes, which has thrown off the Sugar Bowl and their timing. … It’s the right role for us to play (in the CFP)," said Tournament of Roses CEO David Eads, according to The Athletic's Chris Vannini.

The College Football Playoff, ESPN and the Rose Bowl itself have all considered changing the time, and Eads noted that this year's switch will not be a one-year solution.

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: The Utah Utes prepare to take the field prior to a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

In previous years, the Rose Bowl's time slot has made it difficult to being the next game, with the Sugar Bowl often cited as the example of the affected next matchup.

The Sugar Bowl kicking off later can affect both fans in New Orleans as well as the television ratings for each game, so it comes as no surprise why all three parties are in favor of changing the kickoff time in Pasadena.

Ohio State and Michigan were victorious in the last two Rose Bowls. We'll see if another Big Ten team can rise to the occasion and win one of the most prestigious college football games of the year.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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