About the Rose Bowl
The Rose Bowl sits in the Arroyo Seco at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains in Pasadena, California, about 11 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. At 92,542 seats, it’s one of the largest stadiums in America — and one of the most beautiful, with mountain views rising beyond the rim of the bowl on a clear day.
Home to UCLA Bruins football since 1982, the Rose Bowl is best known for the annual Rose Bowl Game played each New Year’s Day — “The Granddaddy of Them All” and the oldest bowl game in college football, first contested in 1902. The stadium has also hosted five Super Bowls, the 1994 World Cup Final, the 1999 Women’s World Cup Final, Olympic soccer in 1984, and will host soccer again at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Architect Myron Hunt designed the original horseshoe-shaped bowl in 1922, modeled after the Yale Bowl, at a cost of just $272,198. The south end was enclosed in 1928 to complete the oval, and successive expansions pushed capacity past 100,000 by 1949. A $194 million renovation completed in 2016 modernized the infrastructure while preserving the stadium’s National Historic Landmark status, earned in 1987.
The Rose Bowl’s legacy extends well beyond football. The 1994 World Cup Final — Brazil vs. Italy on penalties — remains one of the most-watched sporting events in history. The 1999 Women’s World Cup Final drew 90,185 fans, setting the attendance record for a women’s sporting event. And the stadium has hosted U2, BTS, Beyoncé, and Depeche Mode’s legendary “101” concert.
Getting to the Rose Bowl
Public Transit
The Metro A Line (Gold Line) is your best bet for reaching the Rose Bowl without a car. Take it to Memorial Park station in Pasadena, then ride the free Foothill Transit shuttle from the Parsons Parking Lot at Holly Street and Fair Oaks Avenue.
→ From Downtown LA: Board the A Line at Union Station heading toward Azusa. The ride to Memorial Park takes about 25 minutes. From there, the free shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes starting at 9 AM.
→ Off-site Parking Option: Park at the Parsons Lot in Old Town Pasadena for $18 and take the free shuttle. It’s the most stress-free option for those driving in from a distance.
The shuttle runs until two hours after event conclusion, so you don’t have to rush out. Walking from Memorial Park station to the stadium is possible but it’s 2.4 miles — the shuttle is a much better choice.
Driving + Parking
The Rose Bowl is accessible from the 110 Freeway (Arroyo Seco Parkway) and the 134 Freeway. GPS users should enter “1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103.”
→ From Downtown LA (~11 mi): Take the 110 North. Exit at Orange Grove Blvd, continue 2.5 miles, then turn left on Rosemont Avenue and follow signs downhill to the stadium.
→ From Burbank (~15 mi): Take the 134 East, exit at Orange Grove Blvd. Turn left, then left again on Rosemont Avenue down to Lot K.
→ From Orange County (~45 mi): Take the 57 North to the 210 West, exit at Seco Street and follow signs to the stadium.
The signature Rose Bowl parking experience is on the Brookside Golf Course — you park on the grass surrounding the stadium and tailgate right there. General parking is $59 in advance ($70 day-of). Preferred paved lots are $80-100+. Tailgating is a Rose Bowl institution — propane grills and alcohol are permitted, lots open at 4 AM, and the scene on New Year’s Day is something every sports fan should experience at least once.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft have a designated zone near Lot H, but rideshare vehicles generally can’t drive down to the stadium on event days. Expect a 15-20 minute walk from the drop-off area to your seats.
Pro tip: Get dropped off in Old Town Pasadena near the shuttle pickup at Holly and Fair Oaks, then ride the free shuttle down. It’s faster and cheaper than trying to get a rideshare into the Arroyo.
From the Airport
→ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR): 14 miles west, 18-25 minutes by car. The closest and most convenient airport for the Rose Bowl.
→ Los Angeles International (LAX): 24 miles southwest, 38-60 minutes by car depending on traffic. By transit, take the LAX FlyAway bus to Union Station, then the Metro A Line to Memorial Park and the Rose Bowl shuttle.
→ Ontario International (ONT): 34 miles east, 40-55 minutes by car. A good option if you’re coming from the Inland Empire.
History of the Rose Bowl
The first Rose Bowl Game was played on January 1, 1902 — Michigan routed Stanford 49-0 — but the game was played at Tournament Park, not the current stadium. Architect Myron Hunt designed the Rose Bowl in 1922, drawing inspiration from the Yale Bowl, and construction took just eight months at a cost of $272,198. The stadium was dedicated on January 1, 1923, when USC defeated Penn State 14-3 in the first Rose Bowl Game at the new venue.
- South End Enclosed (1928): The horseshoe was closed to form a full bowl, pushing capacity to 76,000.
- 1932 Olympics: The Rose Bowl hosted cycling events during the Los Angeles Summer Games and was expanded to 83,677 seats.
- 1984 Olympic Soccer Final (August 11, 1984): France defeated Brazil 2-0 before 101,799 fans — then the largest crowd for an Olympic soccer match.
- 1994 FIFA World Cup Final (July 17, 1994): Brazil defeated Italy 3-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw, claiming its fourth World Cup title. The Rose Bowl hosted 8 World Cup matches that summer.
- 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final (July 10, 1999): The United States defeated China 5-4 on penalties before 90,185 fans. Brandi Chastain’s celebration after the winning kick became one of the most iconic images in sports history.
- $194 Million Renovation (2010-2016): Modernized seating, concourses, and infrastructure while preserving the stadium’s National Historic Landmark status.
- 2028 Olympics (upcoming): The Rose Bowl will host soccer semifinals and finals at the Los Angeles Summer Games, making it one of only two stadiums to host three different Olympics.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
The Rose Bowl set its all-time attendance record of 106,869 on January 1, 1973, when USC defeated Ohio State 42-17 in the Rose Bowl Game.
The Rose Bowl has hosted five Super Bowls (XI, XIV, XVII, XXI, XXVII), tying it with the Superdome and Hard Rock Stadium for the most of any venue.
The Rose Bowl will become one of only two stadiums to host three different Olympic Games — 1932, 1984, and 2028 — joining the nearby LA Memorial Coliseum.
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the seating capacity of the Rose Bowl?
- The Rose Bowl's listed capacity is 92,542, making it one of the largest stadiums in the United States. The all-time attendance record of 106,869 was set in 1973. Planned renovations for the 2028 Olympics may reduce capacity to around 70,000.
- Where is the Rose Bowl located?
- The Rose Bowl is at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive in Pasadena, California, nestled in the Arroyo Seco at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains. It's about 11 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
- How do I get to the Rose Bowl by public transit?
- Take the Metro A Line (Gold Line) to Memorial Park station in Pasadena, then ride the free Foothill Transit shuttle from the Parsons Lot at Holly Street and Fair Oaks Avenue. The shuttle runs from 9 AM until two hours after event conclusion.
- Is there parking at the Rose Bowl?
- Yes. The iconic Brookside Golf Course lots surround the stadium and are where most fans park and tailgate. General parking is $59 in advance ($70 day-of). Preferred paved lots run $80-100+. Off-site parking at the Parsons Lot in Old Town Pasadena is $18 with a free shuttle.
- Can you tailgate at the Rose Bowl?
- Yes. Tailgating is allowed in all general parking lots, including the grass lots on the Brookside Golf Course. Lots open at 4 AM, public tailgating begins at 8 AM. Propane grills and alcohol are permitted. Tents up to 10x10 feet are allowed. Glass bottles and open wood fires are prohibited.
- When was the Rose Bowl built?
- The Rose Bowl was built in 1922 by architect Myron Hunt at a cost of $272,198. It was originally a horseshoe shape seating 57,000. The south end was enclosed in 1928 to create the full bowl, and multiple expansions pushed capacity past 100,000 by 1949.
- Is the Rose Bowl an NFL stadium?
- No. The Rose Bowl is a college football stadium, home to the UCLA Bruins (Big Ten Conference). However, it has hosted five Super Bowls and the annual Rose Bowl Game, the oldest bowl game in college football.
- Why is the Rose Bowl called The Granddaddy of Them All?
- The nickname refers to the Rose Bowl Game, the oldest college football bowl game, first played in 1902. It predates all other bowl games and has been played at the Rose Bowl stadium since 1923.
Last updated: 2026-02-24
