Although Saturday’s game in the Rose Bowl against Washington left many questioning if the 48-14 drubbing was the Bruins’ final game in the iconic stadium, there are games scheduled to be played in the stadium next season.
According to the college website, UCLA is scheduled to play two games in the Rose Bowl in September. On Sept. 17 and Sept. 19, San Diego State and Nevada are set to take the field in the historic stadium, respectively.
The college has scheduled its non-conference matchups several seasons in advance, continuing a long-standing practice of establishing early-season opponents well ahead of time.
Media coverage has indicated the school is exploring a deal that could include guaranteed luxury-suite revenue—money the program does not receive at the Rose Bowl. SoFi Stadium is 14 miles from UCLA’s campus; the Rose Bowl is 27 miles away.
As of Oct. 30, the Bruins averaged just over 35,000 fans per game at the Rose Bowl, which seats 91,000.
The university’s long-term lease at the Rose Bowl runs through 2043.
The City unsuccessfully sought a temporary restraining order earlier this month as legal questions surrounding UCLA’s intentions wends through the courts.
UCLA has moved to shift Pasadena’s lawsuit into arbitration, filing a motion last week asking the court to pause all proceedings while an arbitrator reviews the dispute.
The university argues that the long-term lease governing its use of the Rose Bowl contains provisions that require disagreements to be handled outside the courtroom.
If granted, the request would halt the City’s effort to keep the case moving forward and could significantly delay any judicial ruling.
Pasadena officials, however, maintain that the stakes of the contract and the potential financial harm to the City make arbitration inappropriate, setting up the next procedural battle in the increasingly high-profile conflict over UCLA’s football home.
According to the City, financial impacts tied to any departure could exceed a billion dollars.
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