Rose Bowl Seeks Traditional New Year's Day Date

The Rose Bowl has announced its desire to remain on New Year's Day by opting out of the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal rotation, a move aimed at preserving its historic tradition. Chair Laura Farber confirmed this decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the bowl's identity tied to January 1. With the CFP expanding to a 12-team format, the Rose Bowl is currently scheduled to host quarterfinal games on January 1 for the next two seasons, while semifinals will occur a week later. Farber expressed hope that by hosting only quarterfinals, the Rose Bowl can avoid losing its traditional time slot. The bowl's management has a history of safeguarding its date, having navigated previous playoff negotiations to keep its New Year's Day game. As the CFP works on its future agreements, the Rose Bowl's request may impact the scheduling of other New Year's Six bowls in the coming years.