What are the New Year's Six bowl games?

Last Modified Dec 21, 2024 18:57 GMT
Rose Bowl Stadium. Source: @rosebowlstadium

Bowl games are postseason college football games played between top teams from different conferences. These games are held after the regular season and before the College Football Playoff (CFP). They include several prestigious matchups like the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and many more. The main purpose of bowl games is to match top-performing teams against each other, often resulting in competitive contests. Each bowl game has unique traditions, sponsors, and selection criteria for the participating teams. Teams are usually selected based on their regular-season performance, including factors like win-loss records and rankings within their respective conferences.

New Year’s Six Bowl Games

The New Year's Six Bowl games are a group of six college football bowl games played around New Year's Day. These bowl games include Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. These games are part of the College Football Playoff (CFP).

These six bowl games rotate hosting the CFP semifinals, which determine the teams that advance to the national championship game. The quarterfinals and semifinals are played among these games, making them crucial to the playoff structure.

Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl, often referred to as "The Granddaddy of Them All," is the oldest and one of the most prestigious college football bowl games. Played annually in Pasadena, California, at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium, it began in 1902 and resumed annually from 1916 onward. Traditionally, it features a matchup between the Big Ten and Pac-12 champions, unless it serves as a College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal game.

Sugar Bowl

The Sugar Bowl, established in 1935, is one of the most historic bowl games in college football. It is played at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, and typically features teams from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big 12, except in years when it serves as a College Football Playoff semifinal.

Orange Bowl

The Orange Bowl, first played in 1935, is one of college football’s most famous bowl games. It is held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Traditionally, the Orange Bowl features a top team from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) against an opponent from the SEC, Big Ten, or Notre Dame. In years when it serves as a College Football Playoff semifinal, it hosts two of the nation’s top teams regardless of conference affiliation.

Cotton Bowl

The Cotton Bowl, established in 1937, was originally played at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, but is now held at the state-of-the-art AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. While it once had ties to the Southwest Conference, it now hosts at-large teams and is part of the College Football Playoff rotation. Its shift to AT&T Stadium elevated its prestige, and it remains one of the top bowl games in the nation.

Fiesta Bowl

The Fiesta Bowl played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, began in 1971 and has grown into one of the most significant bowl games in college football. Originally created to provide a postseason opportunity for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) champion, it now features top-ranked teams as part of the College Football Playoff rotation.

Peach Bowl

The Peach Bowl, established in 1968, is held annually at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. It was originally tied to the ACC and SEC but now serves as one of the College Football Playoff's New Year’s Six bowl games. It often features at-large teams or serves as a semifinal matchup in the playoff rotation. The Peach Bowl has risen in prominence over the years and shifted to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Most New Year's Six Bowl game winners

The Alabama Crimson Tide holds the record for the most New Year's Six bowl game victories, as of 2024. Alabama has won 10 times while playing in 15 games. The Georgia Bulldogs have also had success, winning eight times in New Year's Six bowl games while playing in 10 games.

GamesSchoolWinsLoss
15Alabama105
10Georgia82
12Ohio State75
11Clemson65
5Penn State32
5Oregon32
3LSU30

FAQs on Bowl Games

A. The first bowl game, the Rose Bowl, was played in 1902.

A. As of the 2024-2025 season, there are over 47 bowl games, including the New Year's Six and the College Football Playoff games.

 A. Teams are selected based on their win-loss record, conference tie-ins, and rankings in the College Football Playoff (CFP) system.

 A. They are called "bowl" games because the original Rose Bowl game was played in a stadium shaped like a bowl.

Related Stories

Ohio State surpasses other major college programs with $292M spent on 35 sports in 2024: Report Ohio State surpasses other major college programs with $292M spent on 35 sports in 2024: Report
Ohio State surpasses other major college programs with $292M spent on 35 sports in 2024: Report
1d
“It’s unfair the hype that’s been put on Arch Manning”: CFB insider sympathizes with Texas star while picking Julian Sayin over him “It’s unfair the hype that’s been put on Arch Manning”: CFB insider sympathizes with Texas star while picking Julian Sayin over him
“It’s unfair the hype that’s been put on Arch Manning”: CFB insider sympathizes with Texas star while picking Julian Sayin over him
Miami celebrates Heisman finalist QB Cam Ward after his prestigious win Miami celebrates Heisman finalist QB Cam Ward after his prestigious win
Miami celebrates Heisman finalist QB Cam Ward after his prestigious win
1d
"My mother would not have to work another of her life": Deion Sanders cherishes biggest memory from his NFL Draft "My mother would not have to work another of her life": Deion Sanders cherishes biggest memory from his NFL Draft
"My mother would not have to work another of her life": Deion Sanders cherishes biggest memory from his NFL Draft
1d
"LeFreshman" "Let's see your work ethic": OSU fans break internet after LeBron James agrees to Ryan Day's standards "LeFreshman" "Let's see your work ethic": OSU fans break internet after LeBron James agrees to Ryan Day's standards
"LeFreshman" "Let's see your work ethic": OSU fans break internet after LeBron James agrees to Ryan Day's standards
1d
CFB Insider breaks down how Curt Cignetti is walking down Coach Prime's path in Indiana CFB Insider breaks down how Curt Cignetti is walking down Coach Prime's path in Indiana
CFB Insider breaks down how Curt Cignetti is walking down Coach Prime's path in Indiana
1d
Jaxson Dart says he’s not afraid of playing under bright lights in New York Jaxson Dart says he’s not afraid of playing under bright lights in New York
Jaxson Dart says he’s not afraid of playing under bright lights in New York
1d
Shedeur Sanders Draft Projection: Exploring top 5 landing spots for Colorado QB ft. New York Giants Shedeur Sanders Draft Projection: Exploring top 5 landing spots for Colorado QB ft. New York Giants
Shedeur Sanders Draft Projection: Exploring top 5 landing spots for Colorado QB ft. New York Giants 
1d
"Keep on balling": Deion Sanders sends powerful message to son before 2025 NFL Draft "Keep on balling": Deion Sanders sends powerful message to son before 2025 NFL Draft
"Keep on balling": Deion Sanders sends powerful message to son before 2025 NFL Draft
1d
Is Will Sheppard playing in East-West Shrine Bowl? Looking at Colorado WR's availability for postseason matchup? Is Will Sheppard playing in East-West Shrine Bowl? Looking at Colorado WR's availability for postseason matchup?
Is Will Sheppard playing in East-West Shrine Bowl? Looking at Colorado WR's availability for postseason matchup? 
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications