Rose Bowl Game Guide 2023

The Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California, is a postseason college football bowl game and the oldest operating bowl game in the US, nicknamed “The Granddaddy of Them All.” It’s also part of the New Year’s Six (NY6), a label used for the six most prestigious NCAA Division I football bowl games played around the start of the new year.

The game usually takes place on Jan. 1 unless the first day of the new year happens to be Sunday, in which case the game kicks off on Jan. 2.

If you happen to be near Pasadena, California around that time, you should definitely consider going to the game. It’s usually packed, and there are usually plenty of festivities during those days, including the traditional Rose Parade (aka the Tournament of Roses Parade). One day before the game, you can go to the Rose Bowl Bash, a free event where fans can enjoy lots of entertainment and take a picture with the trophy.

About the Rose Bowl Game

The Rose Bowl Game is the oldest operating bowl game in college football. It was first played in 1902, and it’s been occurring annually since 1916. The game’s conference tie-ins include the Big Ten and Pac 12. So usually, teams from those two conferences meet in the game, as was always the tradition up until 2002. However, the Rose Bowl game is one of the six biggest NCAA Division I football bowl games (New Year’s Six) and is directly affiliated with the College Football Playoff. So on occasion, teams from other conferences play in the game as part of the playoff.

The game is produced by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. This non-profit organization annually organizes the New Year’s Day Rose Parade, which always precedes the Rose Bowl Game.

This event also has the highest attendance out of all bowl games since 1945, with close to 100,000 spectators every year. The USC Trojans are the most successful team in the event’s history, having played 34 Rose Bowl games and winning 25 of them, the latest in 2017.

The game traditionally takes place at the Rose Bowl, one of the largest college football stadiums in the US, which has an official capacity of 92,542. Apart from the Rose Bowl Game, the sports venue’s main tenants are the UCLA Bruins.

Sports Betting at the Rose Bowl Game

With around two-thirds of voters saying “no” to Proposition 26 on the Nov. 2022 ballot, California has missed the opportunity to legalize retail sports betting, meaning that betting at or near the Rose Bowl stadium isn’t possible. 

Meanwhile, the voters also turned down Proposition 27, which would have resulted in legal sports betting apps in California and allow you to bet remotely on the Rose Bowl Game and any other given sporting event.

As things stand, to bet on any future Rose Bowl games, you’ll either have to travel to a neighboring state that has legalized sports betting (Arizona, Nevada, or Oregon) or wait for the unlikely authorization of sports betting in California shortly.

If you do go to a state where betting is legal, you can place all sorts of bets on the Rose Bowl Game, including moneyline (game’s winner), points spread (the outcome based on extra points given or subtracted from one team), Over/Under (total number of points scored), props (ex. will the game go to overtime, who will score the first touchdown, etc.), and much more.

Rose Bowl Game Partnerships

The Rose Bowl Game doesn’t have any sports betting sponsorship deals at the moment. 

Rose Bowl Game Parking

The parking at the Rose Bowl Stadium is available at lots H, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10. Paying in advance is $50, while the parking costs $60 on game day. The parking lots will open at 4 a.m.

To learn more about Rose Bowl Game parking, you can check out the parking map for the event or follow Rose Bowl Stadium on Twitter to get updates on the venue’s parking and traffic status.

Rose Bowl Game Accommodations

There are plenty of places you can stay near the Rose Bowl Stadium. Some of the best-rated accommodation options in Pasadena include:

  • Residence Inn by Marriott Los Angeles Pasadena/Old Town: 21 W Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91103
  • The Patrician Hollywood Universal: Patrician Way, Pasadena, CA 91105
  • Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Pasadena Old Town: 180 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
  • The Westin Pasadena: 191 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
  • Hilton Pasadena: 168 S Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101

Rose Bowl Game Client Services

If you need any additional information about the event, you can contact the Rose Bowl Game customer service by calling (626) 449-4100, sending an email to [email protected], or filling out a contact form at the event’s official website.

For assistance at the stadium, you can visit the customer service booth at Tunnel 28.

Rose Bowl Game Online Sportsbook

Unfortunately, you won’t get a chance to place a bet on the Rose Bowl Game in California since the propositions regarding sports betting failed to gather enough votes in 2022. This means there are currently no online or retail sportsbooks in California.

There are no online sportsbooks in California at the moment, and the Rose Bowl Game isn’t affiliated with any online sports betting brand.

Rose Bowl Game FAQ

When and where’s the Rose Bowl Game taking place?

The 2023 Rose Bowl Game is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 2. Like every year, it’ll occur at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

Are there any sportsbooks at the Rose Bowl Stadium?

Sports betting is currently illegal in California, so you won’t find any sportsbooks at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

Can I bet on the Rose Bowl Game?

You can bet on the Rose Bowl Game in nearly every state where sports betting has become legal. Unfortunately, California isn’t one of them. The closest legal sportsbooks are in Arizona and Nevada.

What bets are available on the Rose Bowl Game?

The betting options on the Rose Bowl Game include everything from moneyline, point spread, and totals to all kinds of game and player props. Some sportsbooks will even allow you to create a single-game parlay consisting of two or more bets from the Rose Bowl Game.

About the Author
Rose Bowl Game Guide 2023 1

Joshua Buckley

Sports Content Manager
Joshua Buckley is Sports Content Manager for california-casinos.org. Along with award-winning experience as a sports editor in Alabama and Texas, he has also spent time in public relations for the tourism and blood banking industries. Joshua is co-host of “Whole Lotta Wolves,” the only U.S.-based Wolverhampton Wanderers FC podcast.