Who plays in the Rose Bowl this year? Teams, date, schedule for 2026 CFP quarterfinal game
The Rose Bowl is one of the most iconic bowl games in college football history. Its pageantry and tradition make it one of the sport’s crown jewels.
Now part of the 12-team College Football Playoff, the Rose Bowl will host a quarterfinal matchup each year. Despite the new playoff format, the game is expected to remain an integral part of the postseason for years to come.
Here’s a look at who will play in the 2026 Rose Bowl and how the winner’s path to the national title could unfold.
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College football playoff bracket
Who plays in the Rose Bowl?
The Rose Bowl will feature the No. 1–seeded Indiana Hoosiers, who are set to face No. 9 Alabama, which sormed past Oklahoma in the opening round. Indiana earned the top seed in the College Football Playoff and a first-round bye after defeating previously unbeaten Ohio State 13-10 in the Big Ten championship game. The win also delivered the program’s first Big Ten title since 1967.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround under head coach Curt Cignetti, who brought his winning formula from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Elon, and James Madison to Bloomington. Indiana owns a 507-691-38 all-time record dating back to 1899, but in just two seasons, Cignetti has guided the Hoosiers to a 24-2 mark.
Meanwhile, Alabama is riding serious momentum after erasing an early 17-point deficit on the road to comfortably defeat the Sooners in Norman, Okla. The game will mark the first time the Crimson Tide and Hoosiers have met on the gridiron.
The winner of Indiana vs. Alabama will advance to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, where it will face the winner of No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison and No. 4 Texas Tech.
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When is the Rose Bowl?
The Rose Bowl will be played on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET.
Where is the Rose Bowl?
The Rose Bowl has been played in Pasadena, Calif., every year since 1923. The stadium sits among the San Gabriel Mountains, creating a picturesque venue for college football. The sun setting over the stadium is one of the most iconic images in the sport.
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College football playoff schedule 2025
Dec. 19
GameMatchupTime (ET)TVFirst-Round CFP gameAlabama vs. Oklahoma8 p.m.ESPN
Dec. 20
GameMatchupTime (ET)TVFirst-Round CFP gameMiami vs. Texas A&M12 p.m.TNTFirst-Round CFP gameTulane vs. Ole Miss4 p.m.TNTFirst-Round CFP gameJames Madison vs. Oregon8 p.m.ESPN
Dec. 31
GameMatchupTime (ET)TVCotton Bowl Classic (quarterfinal)TBD vs. Ohio State7:30 p.m.ESPN
Jan. 1
GameMatchupTime (ET)TVCapital One Orange Bowl (quarterfinal)Texas Tech vs. TBD12 p.m.ESPNRose Bowl Game (quarterfinal)Indiana vs. Alabama4 p.m.ESPNAllstate Sugar Bowl (quarterfinal)Georgia vs. TBD8 p.m. ESPN
Jan. 8
GameMatchupTime (ET)TVVrbo Fiesta Bowl (semifinal)TBD7:30 p.m.ESPN
Jan. 9
GameMatchupTime (ET)TVChick-fil-A Peach Bowl (semifinal)TBD7:30 p.m.ESPN
Jan. 19
GameMatchupTime (ET)TVCFP National championshipTBD7:30 p.m.ESPN
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