USC-UCLA Rivalry Game to Remain at Rose Bowl in 2026

The Bruins will host the Trojans at the iconic stadium for at least one more year before a potential move to SoFi Stadium.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 8:03pm

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The USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins will renew their long-standing rivalry on the football field on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026. The Bruins will be the home team in this matchup, and the game will be played at the historic Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. This will be at least one more iteration of the USC-UCLA rivalry at the Rose Bowl before UCLA potentially moves its home games to the new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

Why it matters

The Rose Bowl is considered one of the most iconic college football stadiums in the country, having hosted the annual Rose Bowl game as well as five Super Bowls and the 1994 World Cup Final. The potential move of UCLA's home games to SoFi Stadium would end decades of history and tradition associated with the USC-UCLA rivalry being played at the Rose Bowl.

The details

In late 2025, it was announced that UCLA could be moving out of the Rose Bowl for home football games starting as early as 2026. The Bruins have played at the Rose Bowl since 1982. With the opening of SoFi Stadium in 2020, it was expected that UCLA would become the first college team to call the new NFL stadium home. However, UCLA vice chancellor Mary Osako confirmed that the Bruins will play the 2026 season at the Rose Bowl, meaning the USC-UCLA rivalry game will be held there for at least one more year.

  • The USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins will face off on Saturday, November 28, 2026.
  • In late 2025, it was announced that UCLA could be moving out of the Rose Bowl for home football games starting as early as 2026.

The players

USC Trojans

The University of Southern California's football team, who have a long-standing rivalry with the UCLA Bruins.

UCLA Bruins

The University of California, Los Angeles' football team, who have a long-standing rivalry with the USC Trojans and have played their home games at the Rose Bowl since 1982.

Mary Osako

The vice chancellor of strategic communications at UCLA, who confirmed that the Bruins will play the 2026 season at the Rose Bowl.

SoFi Stadium

The new NFL stadium in Inglewood, California that was expected to become the home of the UCLA Bruins before the decision to remain at the Rose Bowl for 2026.

Rose Bowl

The historic college football stadium in Pasadena, California that has hosted the annual Rose Bowl game as well as five Super Bowls and the 1994 World Cup Final.

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What they’re saying

“UCLA will play the upcoming football season at the Rose Bowl.”

— Mary Osako, UCLA Vice Chancellor of Strategic Communications (California Post)

What’s next

The USC-UCLA rivalry game at the Rose Bowl in 2026 will be the last iteration of the matchup at the historic stadium if UCLA does eventually move its home games to SoFi Stadium in the coming years.

The takeaway

The decision to keep the 2026 USC-UCLA rivalry game at the Rose Bowl preserves an important college football tradition, at least for one more year, before the potential end of the Bruins' long-standing association with the iconic stadium.