35 College Stadiums That Are More Iconic Than the Teams That Play There

2. Rose Bowl: UCLA (Pasadena, CA)

Few stadiums in the world can rival the prestige and history of the Rose Bowl. While UCLA plays its home games here, the stadium is far bigger than any single team—it is the home of "The Granddaddy of Them All," the annual Rose Bowl Game, one of college football’s most revered traditions. Built in 1922, the Rose Bowl has played host to countless iconic moments in sports history. It has been the site of five Super Bowls, the 1994 FIFA World Cup Final, and even events during the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics. Many of college football’s greatest games have taken place on this field, including the legendary 2006 Rose Bowl where Texas, led by Vince Young, defeated USC in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football games ever played. The stadium’s setting in picturesque Pasadena, with the San Gabriel Mountains serving as a backdrop, makes it one of the most visually stunning venues in sports. Even though UCLA has never dominated college football, the Rose Bowl’s legendary status is firmly cemented in sports history.