Ucla To Play 2026 Football Season At Rose Bowl As Lawsuit Continues

New UCLA coach Bob Chesney will nonstop his first shot play successful a historical venue nan Bruins person agelong called home.

UCLA announced connected Saturday that nan Bruins will play nan 2026 play astatine nan Rose Bowl amid ongoing litigation of nan university’s correct to perchance break its lease and play location games astatine SoFi Stadium.

“We cognize really overmuch crippled time intends to Bruins — to our students, alumni and fans who scheme their autumn astir Saturdays together,” UCLA vice chancellor for strategical communications Mary Osako said successful a statement. “Our privilege is delivering a beardown play acquisition for our student-athletes and our community, and we person awesome momentum successful our shot program.

“During this unprecedented clip successful assemblage athletics, UCLA will ever beryllium guided by what’s champion for our student-athletes and nan Bruin community.”

The California Post was nan first to study UCLA’s determination to play different play astatine nan Rose Bowl.

While nan suit states UCLA has formally notified nan Rose Bowl that it is “moving on” and that “there’s nary measurement we’re staying agelong term,” nan schoolhouse has ne'er publically announced plans to move its location games to SoFi Stadium.

“While we proceed to measure nan semipermanent statement for UCLA shot location games, nary determination has been made,” Osako said successful a connection to The Times successful October.

After a judge denied UCLA’s petition to settee its ineligible conflict pinch nan Rose Bowl operators and metropolis of Pasadena via arbitration, it seemed improbable nan ineligible issues would beryllium resolved successful clip for UCLA play nan 2026 play anyplace but nan Rose Bowl.

The metropolis of Pasadena and nan Rose Bowl Operating Co. filed a lawsuit successful October to unit UCLA to grant its statement and play games astatine nan stadium done nan 2044 season.

The title and consequent filings person alleged that nan assemblage has been moving to play its location games astatine SoFi Stadium, calling nan move “a profound betrayal of trust.” Rose Bowl officials person since added SoFi Stadium and its operator, Kroenke Sports, to nan lawsuit.

UCLA’s lease runs done June 30, 2044, and Pasadena officials opportunity taxpayers person invested much than $150 cardinal successful stadium renovations while precocious refinancing an further $130 cardinal successful bonds for capital improvements.

The iconic Rose Bowl opened successful 1922, is simply a nationalist historical landmark and boasts ample tailgating opportunities, but immoderate fans person complained astir nan aging venue’s uncomfortable seating and deficiency of modern amenities.

The adjacent proceeding successful nan lawsuit is scheduled for Friday arsenic it proceeds toward trial.