Who plays in the Rose Bowl this year? Teams, date, schedule for 2023 CFP semifinal game

Dan Treacy

Who plays in the Rose Bowl this year? Teams, date, schedule for 2023 CFP semifinal game image

By next season, all New Year's Six bowls will host a College Football Playoff game. For now, however, it's the Rose Bowl's moment to shine.

The Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl will make up this year's national semifinal games, with the iconic bowl game kicking off what should be a thrilling New Year's Day doubleheader.

Playoff games at the Rose Bowl have been hit-and-miss. The Rose Bowl has been the site of two semifinal blowouts, with Oregon dismantling Florida State in the inaugural playoff and Alabama cruising past Notre Dame six years later. Between those games, however, was an instant classic between Georgia and Oklahoma.

With this year's matchup featuring two historic programs and some of college football's most polarizing coaches, it might be time for another thriller.

MORE: Tracking all 41 college football bowl selections

Here's what you need to know about the Rose Bowl matchup and when the game will be played.

When is the Rose Bowl 2024?

  • Date: Jan. 1, 2024
  • Time: 5 p.m. ET
  • TV broadcast: ESPN
  • Location: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.)

Who plays in the Rose Bowl 2024?

The Rose Bowl will feature No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama in the first College Football Playoff semifinal game.

Both the Wolverines and Crimson Tide will be far away from home for their playoff matchup, but the Rose Bowl figures to have a terrific crowd regardless. Both programs are some of the biggest brands in the nation, and Michigan's hunt for its first national championship in 26 years is one of the defining storylines of this college football season.

Michigan and Alabama have just one loss between them, but only one will advance to the CFP championship in Houston. 

MORE: Complete look at final College Football Playoff rankings

Rose Bowl odds

Spread: Michigan -1.5
Over/under: TBD
Moneyline: Michigan -120, Alabama -102

Where is the Rose Bowl being played in 2024?

The Rose Bowl will be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

There are few more iconic venues in college football than the Rose Bowl, which hosts the annual bowl game and is also the home of UCLA football. The Rose Bowl has played host to three College Football Playoff games, including a classic semifinal battle between Georgia and Oklahoma six years ago.

New Year's 6 bowl schedule 2023

Bowl Teams Date Time (ET)
Cotton Bowl No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Missouri Friday, Dec. 29 8 p.m.
Peach Bowl No. 10 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Penn State Saturday, Dec. 30 Noon
Orange Bowl No. 5 Florida State vs. No. 6 Georgia Saturday, Dec. 30 4 p.m.
Fiesta Bowl No. 8 Oregon vs. No. 23 Liberty Monday, Jan. 1 1 p.m.
Rose Bowl (CFP semifinal) No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama Monday, Jan. 1 5 p.m.
Sugar Bowl (CFP semifinal) No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas Monday, Jan. 1 8:45 p.m.

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.