PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: A Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit flies over the stadium during the national anthem prior to the Rose Bowl game presented by Northwestern Mutual between the Oregon Ducks and the Wisconsin Badgers at Rose Bowl on January 01, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)The Rose Bowl is the most iconic game in college football. This year’s edition has heightened importance as well, as it serves as a semifinal game for the College Football Playoff.
If that game is played as scheduled in Pasadena, it will be in front of an empty stadium. The state of California has started to pass some aggressive restrictions on large gatherings, in order to combat COVID-19 as we enter the winter months, before a vaccine is available.
Los Angeles County and the city of Pasadena have imposed rules that will prevent the Rose Bowl from hosting fans this year. It is an unfortunate situation, but likely the right call, and definitely not a surprise given all that has gone on, especially in the last few weeks.
“While we are disappointed that the Rose Bowl Game will not be played in front of spectators, we are pleased that we are still able to hold the game this year, continuing the 100-year plus tradition of The Granddaddy of Them All,” said David Eads, Pasadena Tournament of Roses CEO and executive director. “We continue to work closely with health department officials and the Rose Bowl Stadium to provide the safest possible environment for our game participants.”
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions set forth by the state of California, Los Angeles County and the City of Pasadena, spectators will not be allowed to attend the 2021 CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game on New Year’s Day.
Full release: https://t.co/PCLnzPmBpJ pic.twitter.com/wFzpDvAqkc
— Rose Bowl Game (@rosebowlgame) December 3, 2020
This is the second major bowl game to make this announcement today. The Fiesta Bowl will also be played without fans.
There are some concerns that the game will be able to be played at all. Santa Clara County in Northern California has already banned sporting events for the next few weeks, which forced Stanford and San Jose State to shift home games, while the San Francisco 49ers will play games in Arizona until the restrictions are lifted.
We knew there would be no fans. The question is whether LA County will even allow it to be played there. https://t.co/YRrCEbdWBT
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 3, 2020
The Rose Bowl indicates that it will be able to have the game in Pasadena without fans, in the statement released today. Hopefully that is the case.
The 2021 Rose Bowl is scheduled to be played on Jan. 1, and will kick off at 5 p.m. ET/2 PT.
[Pasadena Tournament of Roses]
