Rose Bowl to Start at 1 PM PT in 2026

The 2026 Rose Bowl will move its kickoff time from 2 p.m. PT to 1 p.m. PT as part of a schedule change affecting all three College Football Playoff quarterfinals held on New Year's Day. This adjustment, a result of coordination among the College Football Playoff, ESPN, and the Orange, Rose, and Sugar Bowl organizers, is designed to optimize TV viewing windows and improve scheduling flow. The Orange Bowl will kick off at noon ET, the Rose Bowl at 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT), and the Sugar Bowl at 8 p.m. ET, with all games airing on ESPN. The change aims to avoid scheduling overlaps that previously caused delays, particularly for the Sugar Bowl. Organizers stressed that the move balances historic traditions with the needs of the expanded 12-team playoff. These updates are intended to enhance both the fan experience and the association between New Year's Day and college football.