College football bowl games are postseason matchups featuring top college teams from various conferences. These games are held at the end of the regular season, typically in late December and early January. They are often sponsored by various organizations and are played at neutral sites across the United States. Notable bowl games include the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Cotton Bowl. The bowl season culminates in the College Football Playoff (CFP), which determines the national champion through a series of semifinal and final games.
Oldest bowl game in college history
The Rose Bowl, often called "The Granddaddy of Them All," is the oldest and one of the most prestigious bowl games in collegiate football history. First played in 1902, the Tournament of Roses Association established it to help fund the Rose Parade, a New Year's Day celebration in Pasadena, California. After a brief hiatus, the game resumed annually in 1916 and has since been played every year.
Held at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, the game typically features teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences. The Rose Bowl has hosted numerous historic matchups and memorable moments, such as the 2006 game between Texas and USC, often considered one of the greatest college football games ever played. In addition to its rich football heritage, the Rose Bowl is known for its scenic setting, often played under clear skies with the San Gabriel Mountains as a backdrop.
The Rose Bowl also plays a significant role in the College Football Playoff (CFP) system, serving as a semifinal site every three years. Beyond football, the venue has hosted a variety of major events, including FIFA World Cup matches and concerts, cementing its status as a landmark in American sports and entertainment history.
Here is the list of the top six bowl games also known as New Year’s Six, and their inaugural year:
| Name | First Game | Venue (Permanent Seating) | City |
| Rose Bowl Game | 1902 (annual since 1916) | Rose Bowl (92,542) | Pasadena, California |
| Orange Bowl | 1935 | Hard Rock Stadium (64,767) | Miami Gardens, Florida |
| Sugar Bowl | 1935 | Caesars Superdome (73,208) | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Cotton Bowl Classic | 1937 | AT&T Stadium (80,000) | Arlington, Texas |
| Peach Bowl | 1968 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (71,000) | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Fiesta Bowl | 1971 | State Farm Stadium (63,400) | Glendale, Arizona |
Colleges with the most Rose Bowl game-winners
As of December 2024, colleges with the most Rose Bowl game-winners are led by the USC Trojans from the Pac-12 Conference. They have played in 34 Rose Bowl games, winning 25 and losing 9 times, making them the team with the most victories in Rose Bowl history. Following USC, the Michigan Wolverines have won 9 Rose Bowl games out of 21 played. The Ohio State Buckeyes have also achieved 9 Rose Bowl wins out of 16 games played.
Here is the list of top Rose Bowl game winners teams, as of December 2024:
| Teams | Conference | Games | Wins | Losses |
| USC | Pac | 34 | 25 | 9 |
| Ohio State | B1G | 16 | 9 | 7 |
| Michigan | B1G | 21 | 9 | 12 |
| Washington | Pac | 15 | 7 | 7 |
| Stanford | Pac | 14 | 7 | 6 |
| Alabama | SEC | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| UCLA | Pac | 12 | 5 | 7 |
| Oregon | Pac | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Michigan State | B1G | 5 | 4 | 1 |
FAQs on Bowl Games
A. There are over 40 bowl games in the college football season, including the College Football Playoff games, as of December 2024.
A. Bowl games typically take place in late December and early January.
A. The Rose Bowl is known as "The Granddaddy of Them All" due to its long history and prestige.
A. The Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, has one of the largest capacities, holding over 89,702 spectators, as of December 2024.
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