UCLA's Rose Bowl Stadium Update Impacts USC Trojans' Schedule

The location for this season’s rivalry game between USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins had been up in the air, with question marks raised on if the Bruins would leave the Rose Bowl for SoFi Stadium. There is now an answer to that question.

Nov 19, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts following the victory against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins will renew their long-standing rivalry on the football field on Saturday, Nov. 28. The Bruins will be the home team in this matchup, but the venue for the game has been unknown. Now, there is an answer. 

USC-UCLA Playing at Rose Bowl in 2026

Nov 23, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) celebrates the win over UCLA at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Late in the 2025 season, it was announced that UCLA could be moving out of the Rose Bowl for home football games starting in as early as 2026. The Bruins have been playing at the Rose Bowl since 1982, and it is widely considered to be the most historic college football stadium in the country, mostly because of the Rose Bowl being game played there every season. 

Outside of college football, the Rose Bowl has hosted five Super Bowls and the 1994 World Cup Final. The venue also hosts concerts and other soccer games throughout the year.

Dec 12, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; Signage featuring UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa (92) and running back Demetric Felton (10) and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) and head coach Chip Kelly is seen on the Rose Bowl Stadium facade before a game between UCLA and the USC Trojans. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The stadium that was looking like it would be the new home of UCLA was SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 and is the home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers of the NFL. The Bruins would have become the first college team to call SoFi their home. That will not be the case in 2026 as the Bruins will spend at least one more season at the Rose Bowl. 

“UCLA will play the upcoming football season at the Rose Bowl,” UCLA vice chancellor of strategic communications Mary Osako told the California Post. 

This means that there will be at least one more iteration of the USC-UCLA rivalry in the Rose Bowl when the two face off to wrap up the 2026 regular season. 

With news of UCLA moving to SoFi, questions arose about how the two college teams would manage after the Olympic Games in 2028 with both the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and SoFi expected to be featured heavily. How long the Bruins will stay at the Rose Bowl is unclear, but those questions can be put to rest for now.

MORE: USC Fans Will Love Makai Lemon's Player Comparison Before the NFL Draft

MORE: What Lincoln Riley Said About New USC Defensive Tackles Coach Skyler Jones

MORE: The Biggest Question USC Faces at Running Back

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE!  

USC-UCLA Rivalry

Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Tanook Hines (16) carries the ball against UCLA Bruins defensive back Scooter Jackson (28) in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USC and UCLA have been playing each other in football since the 1929 season. In their 95 all-time meetings, the Trojans lead the series 52-34-7. Meeting No. 96 will be in the Rose Bowl. 

The game has alternated each year from being at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Rose Bowl since 1982. Prior to then, UCLA also called the Coliseum their home. If UCLA does eventually move out of the Rose Bowl to play in the new SoFi Stadium, it will be a disappointment to many fans as they will be leaving behind decades of history. 

Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; The Rose Bowl Stadium before the game between the UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Something college football has have over the NFL is its traditions. Whether it be rivalries that date back over a century, stadium chants, or a pre-game ritual, there is a magical aspect of the sport that can’t quite be replicated. That’s always been a huge draw to the sport. 

As the landscape of college football continues to change with NIL, conference realignment, and an expanded College Football Playoff, some of these traditions are going away. USC and UCLA playing in the historic Rose Bowl will likely end up being one of them.