USC Fans Poised for Thrilling Rose Bowl Rematch Against UCLA—What’s at Stake This Time?

The USC Trojans’ journey to the Rose Bowl has been a bit rocky over the past several years, with their last appearance dating back to that unforgettable 2017 showdown, where Sam Darnold—now gearing up for the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks—helmed a nail-biting 52-49 victory over Penn State. Despite some tough times on the field, Trojan faithful have consistently flocked to Pasadena every couple of years to witness the electric rivalry matchups against the UCLA Bruins at the legendary Rose Bowl. In recent clashes, USC has held its own, clinching three straight wins in the stadium, including a standout triumph in 2022. However, a cloud hung over this cherished tradition when whispers surfaced that UCLA might bail on the Rose Bowl to play at SoFi Stadium starting in 2026, throwing the future of these rivalry games into question. Now, thanks to some quiet moves from UCLA, it looks like the Bruins will stick around Pasadena at least through 2026—much to the relief of Trojan fans who can breathe easy knowing this historic battleground isn’t fading just yet. Intriguingly, this decision also stirs the pot regarding USC’s home turf plans for the 2028 Olympics, potentially nudging the Trojans toward SoFi Stadium. As this story unfolds, I’ll be keeping a close eye on every twist and turn for you. LEARN MORE

The USC football team has had trouble earning a spot in the Rose Bowl postseason game in the last several years. The last time the Trojans were there, in fact, was 2017, when current Super Bowl-bound Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Sam Darnold led the Trojans to an epic 52-49 victory over Penn State.

But, amidst some program-wide struggles, Trojan fans have still enjoyed the consistent tradition of trekking to Pasadena every other year to watch USC play in its crosstown rivalry against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. The Trojans have actually enjoyed decent success in their rivalry trips to the Rose Bowl in recent seasons, winning the last three games they’ve played in the Grandaddy of Them All including an epic ranked win in 2022.

That tradition appeared to be in serious jeopardy as of recently, as news broke that UCLA was looking to leave the Rose Bowl to instead play in SoFi Stadium (terrible idea for the record) beginning as soon as the 2026 season, despite the fact that the Bruins had signed a lease to play at the Rose Bowl through the 2043 season.

Trojan fans were faced with the possibility that they’d watched USC play its last rivalry game in the Rose Bowl in 2024. It was a solid game for the Trojans, who won 19-13 behind Jayden Maiava and Woody Marks, but lacked the feel of a grand sendoff for an iconic stadium.

Well now, Trojan fans can put fears that USC has made its last trip to the Rose Bowl to rest. As Dylan McNeil of UCLA Wire writes, the Bruins seem to have quietly decided to remain at the Rose Bowl in 2026:

“While there hasn’t been an official announcement from the UCLA Bruins or the Rose Bowl, it appears the two sides will stay together for another season,” McNeil wrote. “UCLA’s football schedule has the Rose Bowl as the home stadium for each of the Bruins’ home games in the 2026 season despite the two sides being at odds with each other.”

“Rather than deliver an official statement that the Bruins will stay in Pasadena, where they’ve been since 1982, UCLA offered season ticket renewals at the stadium and called it a day.”

“If 2026 is it for UCLA at the Rose Bowl, then the Bruins final game at the stadium will be November 28th against the USC Trojans, which will be new head coach Bob Chesney’s first look at his crosstown rival.”

Trojan fans don’t know if 2026 will be the last time USC matches up with UCLA at the Rose Bowl. But now, at least they know that the future of the rivalry being played at the stadium is in jeopardy and can savor every moment of watching the game at the Rose Bowl in 2026, knowing it could be the last time.

This is also an interesting development as it relates to the Olympics in 2028. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is not expected to be ready for USC to play its home games there in 2028. If UCLA is still at the Rose Bowl in 2028, then it seems even more likely that USC would play its home games at SoFi Stadium.

We’ll obviously continue to keep an eye on this story at Trojans Wire and UCLA Wire.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: UCLA football quietly acknowledges it will play at Rose Bowl in 2026