UCLA Set to Leave Rose Bowl for SoFi Stadium in 2026

INGLEWOOD, CA — The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is reportedly finalizing plans to relocate its home football games from the historic Rose Bowl to SoFi Stadium, starting in 2026. Sources within the UCLA athletic department describe the move as a “near-done deal,” with an official announcement anticipated after the conclusion of the current college football season.

UCLA has played its home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena since 1982, making the upcoming shift a significant change for the Bruins. The motivation behind the move is primarily financial; officials believe that SoFi Stadium, which opened in 2020, will generate greater revenue through premium seating, luxury suites, and sponsorship opportunities. SoFi Stadium, located approximately 12 miles from UCLA’s Westwood campus, has a seating capacity of 70,240.

The university will need to negotiate a buyout of its current lease with the City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Operating Company, which runs through June 2044. Estimates for this buyout range between $60 million and $80 million. Pasadena officials have already taken legal action, claiming that UCLA is violating their agreement by seeking to move its games.

Pasadena’s lawsuit, filed on October 29, argues that if UCLA leaves, city residents could incur as much as $1 billion in economic damages due to the loss of revenue associated with stadium events and local businesses. Officials from both the city and the Rose Bowl Operating Company express concern that the Bruins’ departure will destabilize their financial foundation.

With a capacity of 89,702, the Rose Bowl has a storied history, having hosted five Super Bowls and two Olympics, alongside many iconic college football games. However, UCLA’s attendance has decreased in recent years, and the athletic program believes that SoFi Stadium’s modern amenities may help revitalize fan interest and attendance.

While UCLA has yet to make a formal decision, the move has taken solid form inside the administrative circles of the athletic department. Following the current season, UCLA is expected to publicly announce this significant transition, marking an end to more than four decades of tradition at the Rose Bowl.