How to Prepare for the 2023 Rose Bowl

On New Year’s Day, 90,000 fans head out to Pasadena every year to check out the annual Rose Bowl. The 2023 Rose Bowl will occur on January 2nd since the 1st falls on a Sunday. This game is nicknamed the “Grandaddy of Them All” and is the oldest still-running football game in the country. 

This year, the Utes are facing Penn State. This is the Ute’s second time at the event, playing earlier this year, but it is their first time playing Penn State. Keep reading for everything you need to know to prepare for your trip to see it live, or catch our tips below to watch it from home.

Ticket Information

There are a few different options for people interested in attending the Rose Bowl in person. 

• Crimson Club members’ prices range from $185 for bench seats to $300-$350 for seatbacks. 
• Purchase travel packages from Utah Athletics, including airfare, hotel, transportation, and entertainment.
• Purchase straight from the Rose Bowl website. 
• Purchase from Stubhub or TicketNetwork. Tickets currently range from $230 – $2653 per person. 

When you purchase your tickets direct from the team, you will ensure you’re seated by fellow fans. Purchasing it from a third party has extra fees and open seating options. 

No matter what you decide, get your tickets early to avoid selling out or increasing prices. 

Book Your Travel Plans Early

Make sure your flight, lodging, and transportation is covered early as many people will be travelling to catch this event. 

There are several different airports you can fly into, including the Los Angeles International (LAX), John Wayne Airport (SNA), Ontario International Airport (ONT), Long Beach Airport (LGB), or Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR). 

Plan Your Tailgating Meals

Undoubtedly, many people attend this event for the tailgating experience. Make sure you’re prepared by planning out your food in advance so you have one less thing to worry about on the day of. 

The Rose Bowl stadium has limited food and beverage sales outside of the stadium, so make sure to pack accordingly. You’ll also want to make sure that you have enough food for after the game, since leaving the arena might take awhile due to heavy traffic. 

To make your meal planning easy, check out this article about tailgating foods that require zero prep work.  

Check the Stadium Guidelines Before You Go

Make sure to review the stadium rules before you head in to make sure you won’t be turned away at the door. Check your bag and pockets for any items that might be prohibited and make sure to leave them in your car or at your lodging before you head out for the event. Especially of note is that the stadium has a new Clear Bag Policy, so make sure you have a clear tote, Ziploc, or small clutch for your items, as regular bags and backpacks are not permitted. 

Leave Early to Find Parking

Parking lots open at 4am and it’s not uncommon for a line to already be formed at that point. Since there are only a few ways in and out of the stadium, traffic can build up easily. The Brookside Golf Course, north of the stadium, is where most parking and tailgating will occur. 

Purchase your parking pass at ParkJockey.com ahead of time for $50 per car. 

Alternatives to parking

You can take the shuttles from the Parson’s parking lot if there is no parking at the stadium. These free shuttle buses will run continuously from 10am until about two hours after the end of the game. Load on Corson between Walnut St. and Fair Oaks Ave. To park at Parson’s, there is a $45 fee for vehicles or higher for RVs. Reserve your spot in advance.

To use public transit, take the Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park Station. From there, you can walk to Parsons, a couple of blocks, or to the stadium, which is 2.4 miles away. 

You might also call a rideshare service such as Lyft or Uber, but be prepared to wait awhile or face surge pricing for the increase in demand. Rideshares will not drop you off at the stadium but rather at a designated location on Holly St. between Fair Oaks Ave. 

Get Tickets to the Rose Parade

The Rose Parade is a longer-running tradition than the Rose Bowl, starting in 1890, and requires participants to use natural materials to build their floats. It’s worth seeing the beautiful flower arrangements that showcase California’s sunny climate. 

The Rose Parade starts at 8am on the 2nd and travels 5 ½ miles down Colorado Blvd. The stadium is not far from the parade, so you can find parking at the stadium and then walk to the parade route, so you only have to park once. Purchase tickets for the Rose Parade here.

If You Can’t Make It to the 2023 Rose Bowl…

Read our coverage for how you can watch the game from the comfort of your home. You can also catch our post to prepare game day snacks for a tailgating party with your friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What channel is the Rose Bowl on?

View the game on ESPN

What time is the Rose Bowl?

The game will kickoff at 2pm Pacific Time.

When is the 2023 Rose Bowl?

The 2023 Rose Bowl game will take place on Monday, January 2nd.

Where is the Rose Bowl?

The Rose Bowl is at the Rose Bowl Stadium (1001 Rose Bowl Dr) in Pasadena, California. 

Who is playing in the 2023 Rose Bowl?

The Utah Utes vs. The Penn State Nittany Lions.