how old is the rose bowl

The Rose Bowl refers to both the iconic college football game and the stadium in Pasadena, California, that hosts it annually. The game originated on January 1, 1902, making it 124 years old as of 2026, while the stadium opened in 1923, turning 103 this year.

Game Origins

The first Rose Bowl Game, dubbed the "Granddaddy of Them All," took place at Tournament Park with Michigan defeating Stanford 49-0. Football was paused after this lopsided matchup for 14 years due to crowd chaos and the score, replaced by chariot and ostrich races tied to the Tournament of Roses parade. It resumed permanently in 1916 at the same site before moving to the dedicated stadium.

Stadium History

Construction on the Rose Bowl Stadium began in 1922, designed by architect Myron Hunt in a horseshoe shape to seat 57,000 fans initially. The first game there in 1923 saw USC beat Penn State 14-3, marking the start of its legacy as a venue for Super Bowls, Olympics, and World Cups. Renovations over decades, including a 2013 overhaul, expanded capacity to nearly 93,000 while preserving its historic charm.

Key Milestones

• 1902 : Inaugural game at Tournament Park; Michigan's dominant win.

• 1916 : Football returns with Washington State over Brown.

• 1923 : Stadium debut; ongoing home to annual New Year's Day clash between Big Ten and former Pac-12 champions.

• 1947 : Formal Big Ten-Pacific Coast Conference agreement locks in the matchup tradition.

• Modern Era : Hosted 2026 game (Pac-12 vs. opponent, per records), 19 Heisman winners, and 29 national champions.

Cultural Impact

Nicknamed by broadcaster Keith Jackson, the Rose Bowl embodies New Year's traditions alongside the parade, drawing global audiences for its pageantry and rivalries. Recent celebrations marked the stadium's 103rd year in 2025, highlighting its evolution from concrete bowl to multimedia icon. No major latest news disrupts this timeline, though it remains a trending topic amid college football playoffs.

TL;DR : Rose Bowl Game is 124 years old (since 1902); stadium is 103 (since 1923).

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.