Rose Bowl

Capacity: 92,542

Home Teams: UCLA Bruins (NCAA College Football)

Rose Bowl Events

Along with Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Lambeau Field, and Madison Square Garden, the Rose Bowl of Pasadena, California, is without a doubt one of the most iconic venues in United States sporting history. The Rose Bowl is best known as a college football stadium due to its namesake Bowl game (the Rose Bowl), which was the first postseason Bowl game ever established (in 1902, albeit under a different name). The Rose Bowl game is traditionally played on New Year’s Day and has played various roles through the decades in helping to determine each year’s national college football champions. Many of the best football players of all time have played in the Rose Bowl in key games that helped launch future NFL careers. As well as hosting all annual Rose Bowl matchups since its opening in 1922, the Rose Bowl has also hosted several NCAA teams over the years, including the UCLA Bruins, who have called it home since 1982 and continue to do so (despite UCLA being a 30-minute drive from the main UCLA campus). The Bruins are a bit of an underrated California college football outfit sometimes, overshadowed by teams like the USC Trojans or Stanford Cardinal despite enjoying periods of dominance in the 1950s and 1980s, amassing 12 Pac-12 conference titles, 1 claimed national title (1954), and an overall record of 637-446-37 (winning percentage .585). Recent years have not been so kind to the Bruins, however, with a high number of losing seasons and numerous failures in Bowl games (their once impressive Bowl record has now fallen to 17-20-1). Their last appearance in the New Year’s Rose Bowl game was in 1998 and last victory in 1985, though they have won the trophy 5 times in their history. Despite the team’s flagging fortunes, loyal Bruins fans clad in blue and gold make the trek out to Pasadena in their droves to sing “Mighty Bruins” and “Sons of Westwood” to try to inspire their team back to the heights that they once assailed. Aside from college football, the Rose Bowl is also known for being the site for 5 NFL Super Bowl games. It also has the remarkable distinction of having hosted both the World Cup Final in 1994 (the first ever Final to be decided on penalty kicks, won by Brazil over Italy) and Women’s World Cup Final in 1999 (which a home crowd watched their US women’s team win on penalties over China). Numerous other soccer matches have been held at the Rose Bowl over the years, including the 1984 Olympics final and 2023 “El Trafico” derby match between LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC, which set an MLS attendance record with 82,110 fans. The stadium has also hosted numerous concerts by some of the most famous artists and bands in the world, along with everything from American Idol auditions to religious services to high school graduation ceremonies. Surprisingly, it was also a cycling venue for the 1934 Olympics (and a midget car racing venue in the 1940s and 50s). Fans who show up to the Rose Bowl hungry will find lots to eat at the concessions, including nachos, sliders, smoothies, and teriyaki chicken bowls, along with cold local California beer and wine. Bruins team merchandise as well as event merchandise can be found at any of the numerous kiosks or shops inside the Rose Bowl. 

Rose Bowl Seating Chart

The Rose Bowl is a huge venue that offers a wide range of seating options for visitors to choose from. If you are in the market for an upmarket day at the park, you can opt for premium seating areas such as club seats, luxury suites, or loge boxes, or the Terry Donahue Pavilion for a truly exclusive experience. Premium seating areas all come with top-notch service and amenities as well as superb views of the field. The remainder of the Rose Bowl‘s gracefully curving slopes are filled with general admission seating of various tiers of pricing. To find the most affordable tickets to UCLA Bruins games as well as the many other events held at the Rose Bowl, TicketX is the only provider you will need. Head to TicketX right away to check our listings and use our handy seating chart to compare different seating options by price and location. 

Getting to Rose Bowl (Transportation and Parking)

Visitors can access Rose Bowl via public transportation (sort of) or driving their own vehicle. 

Getting to Rose Bowl via public transportation

Getting to the Rose Bowl is famously a bit of an ordeal. The closest Metro station is Memorial Park Station, from where shuttle buses will take you to the stadium (and back afterwards). It is possible to walk, but the distance is over 3 km. Visit the Metrolink Trains website for train routes and schedules, as well as information shuttles from the station to the venue. Catching a taxi or ride-share to the stadium is also an option. 

Getting to Rose Bowl by car

Many drivers have horror stories about car trips to the Rose Bowl, getting within blocks of the stadium only to come to an endless standstill on the narrow roads leading to this huge stadium. Recent efforts have been made to remedy the situation, but be sure to arrive early and plan your route in advance using the Rose Bowl’s official website for maps and directions. You should also consult information about your particular event or game as well to see if any special arrangements have been made. 

Does Rose Bowl have on-site parking?

Parking has also been a problem at the Rose Bowl when it hosts particularly big events, meaning that the nearby golf course has become an overflow parking area. Check the Rose Bowl's official website to learn more about your parking options and book parking in advance using ParkJockey. 

How much does Rose Bowl parking cost?

Parking passes vary a lot depending on the nature and popularity of the event or game. For the Rose Bowl game itself, expect to pay $50 and up. Rates are generally cheaper if you book in advance. Check the Rose Bowl's official website to learn more about your parking options and book parking in advance using ParkJockey.