The Rose Bowl is nicknamed The Granddaddy of Them All for a reason: It’s the oldest and best college football bowl game. It also doubles as a College Football Playoff game, giving it even more stakes than before.
The undefeated Indiana Hoosiers got a CFP first-round bye and are slated to play Alabama in this quarterfinal matchup.
This bowl game is sure to be electrifying, and possibly even thorny. I write this guide so you can know everything about watching or streaming the Rose Bowl on TV.
What time is the Rose Bowl?
The Rose Bowl airs on Thursday, January 1, at 4:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. It’s one of three games slated for New Year’s Day.
The first is the Orange Bowl at noon, and the nightcap is the Sugar Bowl at 8:00 p.m.
How to watch the Rose Bowl for free
Want to watch the Rose Bowl for free on TV? Since the game airs exclusively on ESPN, you’ll need a cable or streaming subscription with ESPN to watch the Rose Bowl. You can use the ESPN app to watch the Rose Bowl with a qualifying subscription.
Do you prefer to stream the Rose Bowl? We recommend Fubo because the livestreaming TV service has a seven-day free trial, and you can install the service on devices like web browsers, streaming sticks, and smart TVs. Check out our Fubo Free Trial guide to learn more.
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Rose Bowl 2026 preview: Indiana vs. Alabama
The Hoosiers earned the right to a bye and to present their program in the Granddaddy of Them All. Now, the Alabama Crimson Tide have joined the chat.
Check out my breakdown of the Indiana and Alabama football teams below and impress your friends with your knowledge.
Indiana vs. Alabama, by the numbers
| Stat | Indiana | TBD |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards per game | 251.6 (44th) | 270.2 (22nd) |
| Rushing yards per game | 221.2 (10th) | 109.9 (118th) |
| Points scored per game | 41.9 (3rd) | 31.4 (39th) |
| Passing defense | 179.5 (18th) | 168.4 (10th) |
| Rushing defense | 77.6 (3rd) | 120.6 (30th) |
| Points allowed per game | 10.9 (2nd) | 17.9 (13th) |
Can Indiana stay undefeated?
Indiana is, by most measures, the best team in college football. Oddsmakers give the Hoosiers the second-best odds to win the natty.
One huge reason for that is, quite simply, point differential. The Hoosiers average basically 42 points per game and allow about 11. That’s a plus-31 margin. They’ve simply dominated teams this season.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza leads the offense with 33 touchdown passes on nearly 3,000 yards and just six interceptions. While he’s not in the country’s top 10 in yardage, he’s No. 1 in TDs.
Mendoza’s top receiving targets are Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., who are third and sixth in the county in receiving touchdowns, respectively.
Alabama
Losing to Florida State in their season opener didn’t seem to deter the Crimson Tide much, as they reached their ninth college football playoff appearance since 2014.
But Indiana is a different animal. If Alabama is going to prevail, it’s going to have to find some way to beat the currently unbeatable.
The Crimson Tide didn’t go 11–3 by accident. They have a very stingy defense, particularly against the pass. They have quarterback Ty Simpson, who ranks fifth in the country in passing yards (3,500).
But Alabama is going to need a Herculean effort on both ends to beat the Hoosiers, who are top three nationally in scoring, rush defense, and points allowed.
The Granddaddy of Them All 🌹#RollTide pic.twitter.com/KA0Ku1jF4g
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 20, 2025
How to watch the Rose Bowl FAQ
When is the Rose Bowl?
The Rose Bowl is on Thursday, January 1. The game will kick off at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Who is playing in the Rose Bowl?
The Indiana Hoosiers will play the Alabama Crimson Tide.
When is the Rose Bowl Parade?
The Rose Bowl Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, January 1.
What channel is the Rose Bowl on?
The Rose Bowl will air exclusively on ESPN at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Where is the Rose Bowl?
The Rose Bowl is in Pasadena, Calif.
Who has won the most Rose Bowl games?
USC has 25 Rose Bowl victories in 34 appearances.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com senior writer, Eric Chiu, researched the Rose Bowl broadcast details with several official sources. He analyzed the seasons of the teams participating in the game. Using that information, he used his expertise to recommend the most robust TV services a fan would need to watch the Rose Bowl.
