Sugar Bowl winners year by year

The Sugar Bowl is one of the premier college football bowl games held annually in the United States. Traditionally played in New Orleans, Louisiana, this prestigious event has been a fixture of the college football postseason since its inception in 1935. The Sugar Bowl typically features top teams from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Big 12 Conference, although teams from other conferences have also competed.

The Caesars Superdome, commonly known as the Superdome, serves as the stadium for the Sugar Bowl. Since the 2014 season, the Sugar Bowl has been part of the rotation of bowls, usually referred to as the New Year's Six, who host College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal games once every three years.

List of Sugar Bowl winners

The Sugar Bowl has seen many memorable games and iconic champions throughout its history. Since its inception in 1935, the game has been a showcase for college football's elite teams, with a list of winners that includes some of the most storied programs in the sport. Teams like the University of Alabama, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Georgia have each claimed multiple Sugar Bowl titles, cementing their legacies in college football history. Over the years, the Sugar Bowl has produced thrilling matchups, with schools from various conferences competing for the prestigious trophy.

Also read: Sugar Bowl's location

Sugar Bowl appearances and win-loss records

As of 2025, the Alabama Crimson Tide holds the record for the most appearances in the Sugar Bowl, with 17 appearances and a 10-7 record. Close behind, LSU leads with 13 appearances and a 6-7 record. The 2025 Sugar Bowl will feature an exciting matchup between Notre Dame and Georgia, with both teams looking to add another prestigious victory to their histories.

Sugar Bowl's most outstanding players

The Miller-Digby Award is presented annually to the standout player of the Sugar Bowl, recognizing individual performance during the game. This prestigious honor highlights a player's contributions in key moments, whether through offensive, defensive, or special teams excellence. The award has been given since the early years of the bowl's history and is typically awarded to a player who has significantly impacted the outcome of the game, such as scoring multiple touchdowns, making game-changing defensive plays, or leading their team to victory in a dominant way.

Sugar Bowl's hall of fame

The Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame, founded in 2017, celebrates the event's rich history. Originating from a vision presented in 1927 by Colonel James M. Thompson and sports editor Fred Digby, the inaugural game in 1935 featured Tulane and Temple, both generously compensated despite initial skepticism.

Sugar Bowl's sponsorship and broadcasting rights

The Sugar Bowl is sponsored by Allstate, which has been the title sponsor since 2007. This partnership helps support the game financially and adds visibility to the event. Previous to Allstate, the Sugar Bowl has also been sponsored by Nokia (1996–2006) and USF&G Financial Services (1988–1995).

For broadcasting, ESPN holds the rights to air the Sugar Bowl. In November 2012, ESPN announced a deal to maintain the broadcast rights to the game through 2026, paying $55 million annually to broadcast the Sugar Bowl starting with the 2014–15 season. As part of the New Year’s Six and its role in the College Football Playoff (CFP) rotation, the Sugar Bowl is featured prominently on ESPN’s platforms, ensuring broad reach and exposure.