College Football Playoff relocates Rose Bowl to AT&T Stadium

The Rose Bowl will now be played at Jerryworld as a part of the College Football Playoff.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will not have to boycott the College Football Playoff any longer, as the Rose Bowl will now be played in front of fans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Because the state of California will not allow for fans or even family members to be present at football games, it comes as no surprise that the 2021 Rose Bowl will be temporarily relocated to a more COVID-friendly state for the College Football Playoff. AT&T Stadium held the Big 12 Championship in front of fans and will be the home to the Cotton Bowl Classic as well.

Here is the official statement from Bill Hancock, the executive director of the College Football Playoff on the Rose Bowl’s move from Pasadena, California to Arlington, Texas.

"“The College Football Playoff Management Committee and Tournament of Roses have mutually agreed that, given the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Southern California, the CFP semifinal game previously scheduled to be played at the Rose Bowl Stadium will now be played at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, TX.”The game in Dallas will still be played in the mid-afternoon window on New Year’s Day.”We are pleased that parents and loved ones will now be able to see their students play in the game.”We are very grateful to Rose Bowl officials and the City of Pasadena. They have worked hard to listen to the concerns of the CFP, the teams that might have played there, and their state and government officials. The Tournament of Roses has acted in the best interest of the people who live in Southern California. And we’re grateful to Cotton Bowl and AT&T Stadium officials for their ability to make this late switch possible.”Add this to the list of ways 2020 has demanded flexibility and last-minute accommodation from everyone in college football. Given all the complexities and difficulties involved, this is the best outcome for everyone concerned.”"

This will make things easier for all College Football Playoff teams

While it was the Rose Bowl’s turn to be part of the national semifinal rotation, having this high-profile bowl game with no fans present did not make sense if a more logical venue was available. Add in the fact no West Coast team will be playing in it anyway and this makes it even easier for Midwestern or Southeastern college football powers to travel to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Though we will not get the picturesque sunset in the second half of the game, this will likely be the better of the two playoff games. This is because whoever ends up with the No. 1 overall seed will pick to play at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome as a part of the Sugar Bowl. Thus, the 2021 Rose Bowl is a virtual lock to be the No. 2 vs. No. 3 national semifinal game. What a get for Jerry Jones!

Good job by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee to pivot this quickly on this bowl.

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