If you’re scratching your head trying to remember when is the Rose Bowl 2024, or maybe you’re just trying to settle a heated debate at a bar, the answer is pretty straightforward: it happened on Monday, January 1, 2024.
It kicked off at 2:00 p.m. local time in Pasadena.
But honestly? Just knowing the date doesn’t really do justice to what actually went down on that field. This wasn’t just another game. It was the 110th edition of "The Granddaddy of Them All," and it served as a high-stakes College Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinal. We had the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines squaring off against the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide. It was Nick Saban versus Jim Harbaugh. A clash of titans that felt more like a heavyweight boxing match than a football game.
The Schedule: When is the Rose Bowl 2024 and Where?
The 2024 Rose Bowl stayed true to tradition. While other bowl games bounce around the calendar like a pinball, the Rose Bowl almost always anchors New Year's Day.
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- Date: January 1, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 2:11 p.m. PST (actually started about 11 minutes after the hour)
- Venue: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California
- Weather: A perfect 64°F with barely any wind—classic California winter.
The crowd was massive. We're talking 96,371 people packed into that iconic Arroyo Seco bowl. If you were watching on ESPN, you heard Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit calling the action, and let me tell you, they had plenty to talk about.
Why This Specific Game Felt Different
Most people asking about the 2024 date are actually looking for the "Michigan vs. Alabama" highlights. This was the game that basically signaled the end of an era for Alabama and the beginning of Michigan’s final ascent. It was a defensive slugfest. Michigan’s defense was like a brick wall, sacking Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe six times.
It’s kinda crazy when you think about it. Alabama actually led 20-13 late in the fourth quarter. Michigan looked dead in the water. Their offense hadn't scored a single point in the second half until about a minute and a half left on the clock. Then, J.J. McCarthy orchestrated a gritty 75-yard drive, ending in a 4-yard touchdown to Roman Wilson.
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Tie game. Overtime.
In overtime, Michigan only needed two plays. Blake Corum—who had been the heart of that team all year—bounced a run to the left, broke a tackle, and spun his way into the end zone. Alabama had one last shot, a 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line. Milroe tried to keep it himself, but the Michigan front collapsed on him. Game over. Michigan 27, Alabama 20.
Looking Back (and Ahead)
Knowing when is the Rose Bowl 2024 is useful, but it’s also the last time we saw the "old" playoff format in this setting. Starting in late 2024 and moving into 2025, the playoff expanded to 12 teams. The Rose Bowl is now moving into a rotation where it will host Quarterfinal games, shifting the dynamic of the New Year's Day tradition forever.
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If you’re planning for future games, the Rose Bowl generally sticks to that January 1st window at 2:00 p.m. PT.
Key Takeaways for Fans:
- Travel early: If you ever go to Pasadena for the game, street closures for the Rose Parade start at 10:00 p.m. the night before.
- Watch the CFP rankings: Since the Rose Bowl is now a permanent fixture of the expanded playoff, the matchup isn't just "Big Ten vs. Pac-12" (RIP) anymore; it’s determined by the national bracket.
- Check the broadcast: ESPN remains the primary home for these games, but with the new format, kickoff times might shift slightly to accommodate triple-headers.
The 2024 game was a historic milestone that eventually led to Michigan winning the National Championship against Washington. It was a swan song for the 4-team playoff and a game that reminded everyone why Pasadena is the most sacred ground in college sports.