The Rose Bowl is an iconic outdoor stadium nestled in Pasadena, California, about ten miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Opened on October 28, 1922, and designed by architect Myron Hunt, the venue earned the enduring nickname ‘The Granddaddy of Them All’ for its starring role in the annual Rose Bowl Game — one of the oldest and most celebrated college football bowl games in the country.
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, the Rose Bowl seats 89,702 fans and has served as the backdrop for some of the most memorable moments in sports history. From five Super Bowl championships to the dramatic 1994 FIFA World Cup Final — where Brazil defeated Italy on penalty kicks — the stadium has demonstrated a rare versatility that few venues anywhere in the world can match.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Pasadena, California
- Opened: October 28, 1922
- Architect: Myron Hunt
- Capacity: 89,702 (all-seated)
- Surface: Bermuda grass
- Home Team: UCLA Bruins football (1982–present)
- Super Bowls Hosted: 5 (XI, XIV, XVII, XXI, XXVII — 1977, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1993)
- Record Attendance: 106,869 at the 1973 Rose Bowl Game
The Granddaddy of Them All
The Rose Bowl Game has been played at the stadium since its earliest years, cementing the venue’s status as the spiritual home of college football’s postseason. Originally constructed with a horseshoe configuration seating around 57,000, the stadium was enclosed into a full bowl by 1928 as demand grew. The annual New Year’s Day matchup between the champions of the Big Ten and Pac-12 (formerly Pac-10) conferences drew massive crowds for decades, pushing record attendance to 106,869 in 1973. UCLA adopted the Rose Bowl as its home field in 1982, adding a year-round tenant to one of California’s most beloved venues.
A World Stage for Global Sport
Beyond college football, the Rose Bowl has hosted five Super Bowls — more than almost any other stadium — along with landmark soccer events that put Pasadena on the global map. The 1994 FIFA World Cup Final drew a crowd of over 94,000 to watch Brazil claim the title against Italy, and the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final delivered one of sport’s most iconic images when Brandi Chastain’s penalty kick secured the United States’ victory over China. The stadium also hosted soccer competition during the 1984 Summer Olympics and is set to do so again for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
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Rose Bowl FAQs
What team plays home games at the Rose Bowl?
The UCLA Bruins football team has used the Rose Bowl as their home stadium since 1982. The Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS also played there from 1996 to 2002 before moving to their own facility.
How many Super Bowls has the Rose Bowl hosted?
The Rose Bowl has hosted five Super Bowls: Super Bowl XI (1977), XIV (1980), XVII (1983), XXI (1987), and XXVII (1993), making it one of the most frequently used Super Bowl venues in NFL history.
Is the Rose Bowl a National Historic Landmark?
Yes. The Rose Bowl was designated a National Historic Landmark on February 27, 1987, recognizing its architectural and cultural significance as one of America’s most storied sports venues.
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Photo: Ted Eytan / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.