The Rose Bowl Game is one of the most iconic settings in sports, as the Southern California sunset hits the San Gabriel Mountains to create a beautiful New Year’s Day visual as the game reaches its end.
However, it’s not looking like that scenic moment will happen on Jan. 1, 2026.
The 2026 Rose Bowl features No. 1 Indiana taking on No. 9 Alabama in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup, and it will be a game unlike most with a storm coming as the new year begins. As a result, heavy rain is expected in Pasadena, California, which could not only ruin the views, but have a major impact on the game itself.
‘Rain expected to close out 2025 and usher in 2026 could soak New Year’s events in Pasadena, including the Rose Parade and college football,’ AccuWeather said on Dec. 31.
Here’s what to know for the Rose Bowl Game forecast:
Indiana-Alabama Rose Bowl weather forecast
The National Weather Service said ‘a strong winter storm will bring moderate to heavy rainfall’ to Pasadena and Southern California beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 31 and Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Rain already hit the region early New Year’s Eve. The NWS has a flood watch in effect from Dec. 31 at 10 p.m. PT through 10 p.m. PT on Jan. 1.
Rain and thunderstorms are possible in the area before 4 p.m. PT and there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. ‘Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall,’ the NWS added.
The field was covered in tarp the morning of New Year’s Day.
‘Wear rain gear for the parade and football game,’ AccuWeather says for people attending.
Will it rain during the Rose Bowl?
Yes, the National Weather Service said there is a 100% chance of precipitation.
Rose Bowl hourly forecast
The Rose Bowl will kick off at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET, but the rain will begin well before the game starts and is expected to continue throughout the contest.
Here’s an hourly breakdown of weather, according to AccuWeather, as of Dec. 31:
All times Pacific
11 a.m.: 60 degrees (rain, 73% chance of precipitation)
12 p.m.: 61 degrees (cloudy, 49% chance of precipitation)
1 p.m.: 62 degrees (showers, 60% chance of precipitation)
2 p.m.: 64 degrees (showers, 60% chance of precipitation)
3 p.m.: 63 degrees (cloudy, 49% chance of precipitation)
4 p.m.: 62 degrees (cloudy, 34% chance of precipitation)
5 p.m.: 61 degrees (cloudy, 34% chance of precipitation)
6 p.m.: 59 degrees (cloudy, 37% chance of precipitation)
What Indiana, Alabama said about Rose Bowl rain
Both coaches were asked on Dec. 31 about the potential weather effects for the contest. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said his team hasn’t played in rain much this season and it will have to adjust based on the severity of it.
‘You try to prepare and practice with a wet ball and things like that, whether it’s snapping the football, catching the football, throwing it, whatever it is. But in the end, we’ve just got to adapt,’ DeBoer said. ‘Obviously ball security and turnovers are something that I think everyone would acknowledge would be critical when the factors could be rain like it looks to be.’
‘I don’t see it changing our game plan very much,’ he said.
