The century-old Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, soon will undergo an $80 million renovation before the 2028 Olympics, including its iconic sign.
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune gave the details of the forthcoming work:
Phase 1 is estimated to cost $30-35 million and aims to be completed in 2026. Planned projects include a full refurbishment of the stadium’s historic Rose Bowl marquee sign; an overhaul of the seating bowl sound system (its first since the 1990s); the addition of safe standing sections for Bruin students on the east side; upgrades to gas and water infrastructure; as well as cellular service enhancements. This phase also features the construction of a new field-level club in the south end zone.
Phase 2, with an estimated cost of around $45-50 million, will begin shortly after the Olympics. Planned projects include significant improvements to the bowl seating and the installation of the new, state-of-the-art videoboard.
The CEO of the Rose Bowl said six of the eight projects are funded or completed.
Built in 1922, the 92,000-seat Rose Bowl is one of four National Historic Landmark stadiums in the country. It once drew nearly 107,000 for a Rose Bowl college football game in 1973.
It has served as a venue for many iconic events, including the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, the 1994 Men’s World Cup, the 1999 Women’s World Cup, Super Bowls, college football championship games and big rock concerts, including a U2 show in 2009 that drew 97,000 people. UCLA’s football team also uses the Rose Bowl as its home field.
The Rose Bowl is just a mile north of Colorado Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Pasadena. If you can’t attend a game or show, the stadium offers tours each Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
(Image of the Rose Bowl entrance by Michael Li via Flickr)