A Century-Plus of Gridiron Glory: Remembering the First Game at the Rose Bowl

Today marks a special anniversary in Pasadena’s rich sporting history. On this date in 1922—102 years ago—the Rose Bowl Stadium hosted its very first football game, months before the famous New Year’s Day bowl game that would later make it legendary.

On that historic autumn Saturday, as many as 57,000 eager spectators filled every seat of the then-horseshoe-shaped stadium to witness the California Golden Bears face off against the USC Trojans in what was essentially a test run for the Rose Bowl game to come.

The Golden Bears emerged victorious with a 12-0 win, though the real star of the day was the stadium itself.

The stadium’s name wavered between ‘Tournament of Roses Stadium’ and ‘Tournament of Roses Bowl’ before finally becoming, officially, the ‘Rose Bowl.’

The stadium’s construction was a remarkable feat of local ingenuity. Designed by architect Myron Hunt and modeled after Yale’s iconic bowl, the stadium rose up in the Arroyo Seco in less than a year. 

In a touching display of resourcefulness, builders incorporated boulders from local San Gabriel Mountain foothills into the foundation. Even the wooden bleachers from the old Tournament Park found new life, repurposed to frame the stadium’s tunnels.

That October game preceded the stadium’s official dedication, which wouldn’t come until January 1, 1923, with the actual Rose Bowl Game. 

The venue wasn’t even completely finished—the distinctive full-bowl shape we know today wouldn’t be completed until 1928, with the south end still open in a horseshoe configuration.

The first matchup itself proved historically significant beyond just being the first game. California’s “Wonder Teams” of the early 1920s would go on to become national champions that season, while USC—suffering their only loss of the year that day—was just beginning their journey to becoming a football powerhouse.

From these humble beginnings with repurposed mountain rocks and Tournament Park wood, the Rose Bowl has hosted five Super Bowls, Olympic events, World Cup matches, and countless memorable moments that have made Pasadena proud.

Monday, the Council will review an agreement that would make the Rose Bowl a venue host for the Olympic Games in 2028.

On Friday, the Turkey Tussle will feature Pasadena High School going up against John Muir High School in the Bowl.

While January 1st may be when the world turns its eyes to Pasadena, October 28th marks an important anniversary for the iconic stadium.