Rose Bowl Game Logo

The Rose Bowl Game, a hallmark of American college football, occurs annually in Pasadena, California. Traditionally played on New Year’s Day, it’s part of the college football playoff rotation. Known as “The Granddaddy of Them All,” it’s the oldest bowl game, first played in 1902. The game is hosted at the Rose Bowl Stadium, an iconic sports venue owned by the City of Pasadena. Renowned for its historic significance and festive atmosphere, including the famous Rose Parade, the event celebrates collegiate athletic excellence, drawing fans nationwide. The Rose Bowl Game is managed by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to organizing the game and parade.

Meaning and history

The Rose Bowl Game, inaugurated in 1902, is a historic American college football tradition. It’s held in Pasadena, California. Originally part of the Tournament of Roses, it aimed to fund the annual parade. The first game in 1902 featured Michigan defeating Stanford. However, due to the lopsided result, football was replaced with chariot races until 1916.

In 1916, football returned, establishing the Rose Bowl as an annual event. Over time, it evolved into a major college football attraction. From 1946, it hosted the champions of the Pacific Coast and Big Ten conferences. This tradition continued until the creation of the Bowl Championship Series in 1998.

The Rose Bowl Game became part of the College Football Playoff in 2014. It’s one of the New Year’s Six, the top bowl games in the NCAA. The stadium, also named Rose Bowl, is a National Historic Landmark. It’s known for its unique design and significant games.

The Rose Bowl Game is synonymous with New Year’s Day, embodying the spirit of college football. Its history is rich with memorable plays and legendary athletes, making it a cornerstone of American sports culture.

What is Rose Bowl?
The Rose Bowl is an iconic American college football game played annually in Pasadena, California. Renowned as “The Granddaddy of Them All,” it’s celebrated for its deep-rooted tradition and festive atmosphere, symbolizing the pinnacle of collegiate football excellence. This historic event, held on New Year’s Day, forms an integral part of the college football playoff landscape.

1982 – 1998

The logo presents an elegant red rose in full bloom, cradled by green leaves, superimposed on a football-shaped green background. The illustration captures the essence of the Rose Bowl Game, marrying the natural beauty of a rose with the competitive spirit of football. The design’s simplicity conveys tradition and prestige, while the use of vibrant red and green hues embodies the energy and passion associated with one of college football’s most celebrated events.

1999

In this iteration of the Rose Bowl Game logo, textual elements now frame the central rose. “ROSE BOWL GAME” is arched above in bold letters, while “presented by AT&T” anchors below, both in black, signifying a corporate sponsorship. The rose itself remains a vivid red with white detailing, resting on a green football-like oval. The additional text transforms the logo from a mere symbol to a branded event, indicating a partnership with AT&T, and the registered trademark symbol reaffirms its protected status in the commercial realm. The logo balances sports heritage with modern corporate identity.

2000 – 2001

The updated logo maintains its red rose and green leaves but introduces a green horizontal line beneath “AT&T,” enhancing the sponsor’s prominence. The “ROSE BOWL GAME” text remains arched above but now shares its green hue with the sponsorship text, creating a unified color scheme. This adjustment subtly shifts focus, suggesting that the event and sponsor are in partnership, and the consistent use of green ties it back to the rose’s leaves and the football field alike. The registered trademark symbol remains, underscoring the logo’s commercial protection.

2004 – 2005

The update to the logo swaps the sponsor from AT&T to Citi, reflected in the “presented by” section. Citi’s logo, with its distinctive blue and red wordmark and umbrella symbol, sits below the Rose Bowl Game title, introducing a new color palette. The change signifies a shift in corporate sponsorship while maintaining the traditional elements of the rose and football-shaped design. This refresh continues to blend the event’s storied past with contemporary corporate branding, showcasing the evolving nature of sports marketing partnerships.

2006

The logo has undergone a significant redesign for the 2006 National Championship. The traditional green football backdrop is replaced by a silver elongated shape, giving it a modern, metallic sheen. The “Rose Bowl Game” script is now in an elegant, cursive font, signifying a more classic and formal look. The addition of a purple banner reading “NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2006” adds a splash of color and marks the event’s significance for that year. This design marks a departure from previous logos, highlighting the special status of the game as a national championship event. The iconic red rose with its green leaves remains, ensuring continuity with the game’s storied past.

2007 – 2010

Returning to a familiar design, the logo reverts to its previous form, featuring the “ROSE BOWL GAME” text with the red rose emblem. The silver and purple elements from the 2006 National Championship version are removed, reinstating a clean, classic appearance. The sponsorship is once again highlighted below, with Citi’s logo prominently displayed, emphasizing its corporate partnership. The overall look reaffirms the game’s traditional branding, paired with contemporary commercial support, maintaining a balance between heritage and modern-day sports marketing.

2011 – 2013

VIZIO is now the presenting sponsor on the Rose Bowl Game logo, taking Citi’s previous spot. The design keeps the familiar rose emblem and green football shape. Despite new sponsorship, the logo’s core visual identity endures, reflecting stability in sports traditions.

2014

The logo marks the 100th Rose Bowl Game with “2014” and “100th” in a black and red frame. VIZIO remains as sponsor, highlighted under the title. A special banner distinguishes this centennial logo. The rose emblem is retained, celebrating the game’s historical legacy.

2015 – 2017

In the latest logo, Northwestern Mutual takes over as the presenting sponsor, replacing VIZIO. Their name, set in a serif font, and their ornate, yellow company emblem, introduce a new color and a touch of elegance to the logo. The core design remains true to the Rose Bowl’s identity, with the red rose and green football shape at its heart, symbolizing the enduring legacy of the game. This refresh signifies a new chapter in the event’s history, linking the classic symbol of the rose to Northwestern Mutual’s brand.

2018 – 2020

The logo remains consistent with the previous design, continuing to feature Northwestern Mutual as the presenting sponsor. The company’s emblem is stylized in blue, adding a subtle, classic touch to the overall aesthetic. The Rose Bowl Game’s iconic red rose with green leaves and the green football-shaped background stay central, maintaining the enduring visual identity of this historic event. This design iteration represents stability in branding, with no significant changes from the prior version, suggesting a sustained partnership and a commitment to tradition in the collegiate football landscape.

2021

Capital One replaces Northwestern Mutual as the presenting sponsor in the latest logo, introducing their red and white brand colors. The overall layout is preserved, with the Rose Bowl Game’s name and the red rose emblem remaining central. Capital One’s dynamic swoosh beneath the text adds a contemporary feel to the logo, signaling a fresh sponsorship era while keeping the timeless tradition of the game intact. This change highlights the evolving nature of corporate partnerships within the sports landscape.

2022

The logo maintains Capital One as the sponsor but adds “VENTURE X” beneath, indicating a specific branded product. The iconic central rose, green backing, and “ROSE BOWL GAME” typography remain unchanged, upholding the logo’s enduring image. The “VENTURE X” addition introduces a new element, suggesting a specialized focus within the sponsorship, and adds depth to the partnership between the Rose Bowl Game and Capital One. This update signifies a nuanced branding strategy, aligning the historic sports event with a specific service from its sponsor.

2023 – Today

Prudential takes the stage as the new sponsor in the logo, replacing Capital One. The iconic rose and green football shape remain central, a constant in the game’s branding. Prudential’s blue logo beneath the event title brings a fresh corporate identity to the forefront. This swap signifies a new partnership while retaining the historic essence of the Rose Bowl Game, marrying a legacy of sports tradition with Prudential’s established financial reputation. The continuity of the design elements ensures the Rose Bowl’s storied image endures, even as sponsorships evolve.