Obviously in 2020, the main thing we have lived by is expect the unexpected. The Pasadena City Council will allow the College Football Playoff semifinal to be played in Texas to call itself the “Rose Bowl Game. This is only the second time in history that the Rose Bowl will not be played there.
Today, we face a devastating worldwide pandemic that has claimed almost two million lives across the world and more than 23,000 lives in California alone. Like so many of our sister cities across the nation, the City of Pasadena is facing unprecedented challenges and difficult decisions as it continues to work with Los Angeles County and the State of California to protect the health and safety of its residents, visitors and employees.
The College Football Playoff’s decision to relocate the 2021 CFP semifinal game is disappointing for the City and for all who hold a special place in their hearts for the Rose Bowl Stadium and the Game. The City and Rose Bowl Stadium safely and successfully hosted four home UCLA football games this fall and believe that we could have done the same for the Rose Bowl Game on January 1. However, at this time, with the pandemic at a critical stage in our state, state guidelines remain in place and we will honor those guidelines developed by the state.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will be taking on the Notre Dame fighting Irish on New Years Day at 1pm. The winner will move on to the College Football championship.
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