In an effort to preserve tradition, the Rose Bowl might have to kick off at a different time in order to keep its New Year’s Day spot.
On Tuesday, The Athletic reported that the Rose Bowl has asked to be left out of the rotation for hosting College Football Playoff semifinal games, which take place on Jan. 8 and 9.
Instead, the Rose Bowl asked to only host quarterfinal games, which take place on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, with the intention of locking down a New Year’s Day game every year.
Laura Farber, chair of the Rose Bowl management committee, said “it’s really imperative for us and important for us” to hold the game on Jan. 1 every year, and ESPN reports that game officials are “optimistic” that they will be able to do so.
As for the traditional start time of 2 p.m. Pacific, the Rose Bowl will be “flexible,” Farber told ESPN.
