PASADENA, Calif. (BCSNN) — The iconic Rose Bowl Game will kick off an hour earlier starting in 2026 to accommodate the expanded College Football Playoff (CFP) schedule, officials announced. The adjustment moves the game’s traditional 2 p.m. PT start to 1 p.m. PT, aligning with the CFP’s efforts to optimize viewing windows for its New Year’s Day quarterfinal matchups.

The change is part of a broader collaboration between the CFP, ESPN, and organizers of the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl, which will also see adjusted kickoff times. The Orange Bowl will now begin at noon ET, followed by the Rose Bowl at 4 p.m. ET, and the Sugar Bowl at 8 p.m. ET. CFP Executive Director Rich Clark emphasized that the adjustments aim to enhance the viewing experience while preserving the tradition of New Year’s Day college football.

"The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is confident that the one-hour time shift to the traditional kickoff time of the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential will help to improve the overall timing for all playoff games on January 1," said David Eads, Chief Executive Office of the Tournament of Roses. "A mid-afternoon game has always been important to the tradition of The Grandaddy of Them All, but this small timing adjustment will not impact the Rose Bowl Game experience for our participants or attendees.

The earlier kickoff time will slightly alter the game’s iconic visuals, including the famed sunset over the San Gabriel Mountains, which traditionally occurs during the second half. Despite this, organizers remain confident that the Rose Bowl’s unique charm and significance as “The Granddaddy of Them All” will remain intact.

This adjustment marks a significant step in the evolution of the College Football Playoff, which expanded to 12 teams in 2024. The Rose Bowl, a cornerstone of college football history, continues to adapt while maintaining its storied legacy in the sport’s postseason landscape.