City Council Delegates Authority Over Stadium’s Displacement Events to Rose Bowl Board

The Pasadena City Council voted 6-1-1 on Monday to delegate the authority for hosting additional displacement events at the Rose Bowl to the Rose Bowl Operating Company (RBOC) Board.

The proposal temporarily increases the number of such events from 15 to up to 25 per year through 2033.

A displacement event is considered any event with an expected attendance of 20,000 people or more, according to the ordinance.

The RBOC believes that an increase in events will help maintain financial stability at the iconic stadium, which has struggled with debt from a 2012 renovation.

According to recent financial reports, hosting 22 or more events annually significantly improves the stadium’s financial stability. The RBOC’s fiscal health has been bolstered by increased revenue from recent years, driven in part by the 22 displacement events held in 2022 and 2023.

“Twenty-to-25 events is a critical piece of the Rose Bowl’s recent success,” said RBOC President Steve Haderlein.

The change amends the Arroyo Seco Public Lands Ordinance, which previously limited displacement events to 15 annually without City Council approval. After 15 events, the RBOC was required to seek City Council approval.

The RBOC Board can now make the findings necessary to host up to 25 events each year.

According to a City staff report, the lengthy and uncertain process of seeking City Council approval for each additional event beyond the annual 15 posed challenges for securing long-term contracts with event promoters, such as those for music festivals and professional soccer matches.

New stadiums like SoFi Stadium in Inglewood are now competing with the Rose Bowl for concerts and soccer events. SoFi will host the World Cup in 2026.

“It makes sense to grant the RBOC the authority to have up to 25 events,” said Steve Madison. “It is a very, very competitive market in Southern California.”

The changes are expected to enhance the RBOC’s ability to attract and retain major events, securing its financial future and supporting ongoing operations and improvements to the Rose Bowl Stadium and Brookside Golf Courses.

“If approved, the ordinance amendment will pave the way for increased revenue and long-term stability for one of Pasadena’s historic venues,” according to a City staff report.

Neighbors living nearby have long complained about the noise caused by large displacement events.

“We are very concerned now about the large number of soccer games with 90,000 or so attendees that the City apparently has agreed to host at the Rose Bowl for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics,” said Linda Vista-Annandale Association President Nina Chomsky in correspondence to the City Council. “Exactly to what extent the neighborhoods will be protected and the interests of the neighborhoods and the Rose Bowl balanced under these circumstances is unclear and in our view the delegation of required findings to the RBOC under this circumstance will fail. We suggest that the required findings under the ordinance for Olympics soccer games be carved out of this delegation proposal and remain as a Council responsibility.”

The LVAA said the RBOC is not interested in neighborhood profits and instead is only interested in the stadium turning a profit.

The group also called for the right of appeal to the City Council for RBOC determinations as to required findings when it is apparent that the balance of profit and neighborhood protection cannot be struck by the RBOC.

As of Sunday, the City received about half a dozen letters supporting more events.

“There is no doubt the tremendous economic impact the Rose Bowl events have on our city as well as the region,” wrote Todd J. Walklett. “Our hotels fill up and our area businesses and restaurants bustle with activity on and around event days.

“Yes, there is the predictable hours of traffic congestion, but we understand that is a small inconvenience for the privilege of having a spectacular venue and safe recreation area within a short distance. It is hard to imagine what would become of Pasadena and the surrounding neighborhoods if the Rose Bowl stadium lost its relevance in the highly competitive Southern California sports and entertainment market. It will take the same great leadership and foresight now as those that came before. Please do not let our City of Roses lose our cherished Rose Bowl Stadium. Today’s decisions will be tomorrow’s reality.”