Rose Bowl Game

The Rose Bowl Game is part of the “Tournament of Roses,” a tradition that dates back to 1890, started by the Valley Hunt Club of Pasadena.

Members, many of whom were East Coast transplants, wanted to showcase California’s winter paradise with blooming flowers while much of the rest of the country was blanketed in snow.

They began with a parade of flower-covered floats, calling it a “Tournament of Roses.” The football game, added later in 1902, was originally intended to be just one of many attractions but soon became the event’s crown jewel.

The Rose Bowl Game earned this nickname as it is the oldest college football bowl game, dating back to 1902.

It was the first of its kind, paving the way for other college football bowl games and establishing a holiday tradition that lasts to this day.

Additionally, the Rose Bowl stadium’s unique design, with its open-ended horseshoe shape and scenic mountain backdrop, set a new standard for the impressive atmosphere expected at championship games.

One unique tradition is the annual flyover by a B-2 Stealth Bomber. This spectacle began in the late 20th century and has become a highly anticipated part of the pre-game ceremony.

Also, in some years, enthusiastic fans engage in “card stunts,” where they hold up colored cards to create large, coordinated displays across the stands.

This became popular after World War II as a way to show unity and school pride.

A common misconception is that the Rose Bowl has always been a football event.

In reality, the original game was a way to boost tourism in Pasadena and included events like tug-of-war, chariot racing, and ostrich races.

When the first football game was deemed a “disaster” due to an unbalanced score, organizers switched to Roman-style chariot races for a few years before returning to football permanently in 1916.

Every float in the Rose Parade must be completely covered with natural materials—petals, leaves, seeds, and other organic elements.

Volunteers, called “petal pushers,” spend countless hours ensuring that each float adheres to this rule. Some floats are made of tens of thousands of roses and other flowers from all over the world.

The process is so intricate that companies often start planning and growing specific flower varieties months, or even years, in advance to ensure they bloom just in time for the event.

Beyond Pasadena, several cities and towns across the U.S. have “watch parties” and “tailgates” in homage to the Rose Bowl Game, often involving regional traditions and foods.

For example, in Midwest states like Wisconsin, known for their college football culture, people gather for cold-weather tailgates and cheer on with hot cider and cheese curds.

In parts of Texas, BBQ cook-offs and family gatherings are common, with football serving as a bonding event.

Yes, the Rose Bowl has influenced the rise of college sportswear as a fashion trend, with fans donning school colors, vintage jerseys, and logo-centric gear.

This trend gained traction in the 1980s and 1990s when the game started reaching wider TV audiences, and fans proudly wore their school’s team colors to celebrate from afar.

Many also see it as an origin point for “stadium style” clothing and accessories, popular in fall and winter fashion collections.

The Rose Bowl set a precedent for the holiday bowl game tradition, originally as a New Year’s Day event.

After its success, other regions began creating their own “bowls” with regional names, like the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl. These “bowl” games were set up as a fun way to bring together top college teams to compete, creating a new post-season tradition.

Today, the term “bowl” signifies any major college championship game, thanks to the Rose Bowl’s pioneering role.

Many teams have specific superstitions when they reach the Rose Bowl, including wearing particular socks, headbands or even eating specific foods before the game.

One tradition involves players touching the commemorative statue of Jackie Robinson (who was born in Pasadena) on their way into the stadium, hoping to channel his legendary skill and spirit.

Fans, too, often wear lucky charms, like pins from past games or vintage team scarves, believing these items bring good fortune.

Weather rarely disrupts the Rose Bowl, but the event has faced unique challenges.

In 1942, the game moved to Durham, North Carolina, due to fears of a Japanese attack on the West Coast following Pearl Harbor. This marked the only time in history that the Rose Bowl was played outside Pasadena.

Additionally, in some years, the game has contended with high winds, causing delays or requiring volunteers to hold down lightweight decorations to keep them from blowing away.