Rose Bowl 'optimistic' of keeping traditional Jan. 1 date amid College Football Playoff expansion

Just twice in its history has the Rose Bowl been played outside of January 1 or Jan. 2. The famous national championship between Texas and USC was the last, being an important part of the Grandaddy of Them All’s tradition. Even as the College Football Playoff has emerged, they have kept the Rose Bowl on its usual date.

As CFP expansion has occurred, questions about moving the Rose Bowl have been asked. But ESPN’s Heather Dinich says those involved with the game are “optimistic” it can still be played on Jan. 1 or Jan. 2, if New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday and conflicts with the NFL.

“I spoke with the Rose Bowl management committee chair Laura Farber,” Dinich said Tuesday on The Paul Finebaum Show. “She’s here in Lucas Oil Stadium [for Big Ten Media Days] and she told me that Rose Bowl officials are very optimistic that in the next iteration of the College Football Playoff — whatever that might be in 2026 and beyond — that they are expected to maintain their historic date of January 1. They have [quarterfinals] this year and next year. It’s unclear what the format will be in 2026 and beyond but obviously 12 teams this year and next.”

Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger added the Rose Bowl could become a permanent quarterfinal matchup in order to keep the Jan. 1 date. The other five CFP bowl games would have to agree to take on semifinal games in the future.

The 12-team CFP will be rolled out after this season but once the contract is expired in 2026, a bigger field could be introduced. Either way, the Rose Bowl is confident they can keep their traditions safe through it all.

Rose Bowl decreasing tickets for schools, increasing number for general public

While the Jan. 1 date could be safe, there is one change coming in the future, something Farber wants to do so more people get to experience college football’s most famous venue. The number of tickets for the respective schools playing in the game will be decreased while the general public will have the chance to buy more.

“One of the other things she told me was that they are going to decrease the number of tickets for each team in the Rose Bowl,” Dinich said. “The schools get a certain amount of tickets. But that will open up more tickets to the general public which the Rose Bowl is in favor of, because they want to give some opportunities to other people who have not seen the Granddaddy of Them All before.”