Rose Bowl Game – January 1

The history of the Rose Bowl Game can be traced back to the origins of the iconic Rose Parade. The Tournament of Roses Parade, as it’s formally known, began in 1890, thanks to the efforts of the Valley Hunt Club members in Pasadena. These early residents of the area were eager to showcase the mild winter weather of their new California home to the world. During a meeting, Professor Charles F. Holder, a member of the club, proposed the idea of hosting a grand festival to highlight the region’s beauty.

The first parade, held in 1890, featured horse-drawn carriages adorned with flowers, foot races, polo matches, and even a tug-of-war. Impressed by the abundance of flowers in the displays, Professor Holder suggested the event be named the "Tournament of Roses."

As the event grew in popularity, the management became too much for the Valley Hunt Club to handle, leading to the formation of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association in 1895. By January 1, 1902, the association decided to add a football game to the festivities in an attempt to raise funds for the parade. The inaugural game, dubbed the “Tournament East-West Football Game,” pitted Michigan against Stanford University. Unfortunately, the game was poorly organized and was not held again for 14 years.

In 1916, the Rose Parade organizers revived the football game, and it has been a staple of the celebration ever since. The game found a new home in the Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 1923, after being played in Pasadena’s Tournament Park for the previous years. With this shift, the football game was officially renamed the Rose Bowl Game, cementing its place as one of the most prestigious and beloved traditions in American sports.