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UCLA reportedly plans to leave Rose Bowl for $5.5 billion stadium | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, November 9th 2025 at 13:39 GMT by Sporting News
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UCLA Sets Sights on a New On‑Campus Stadium, Planning to Leave the Rose Bowl

In a move that could reshape the landscape of Southern California college football, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has reportedly announced plans to depart from its historic partnership with the Rose Bowl and build a brand‑new stadium on campus. The proposed venue, projected to cost approximately $55 million and seat around 55,000 fans, represents a bold investment in the Bruins’ athletic future and a significant shift away from the 90,000‑seat coliseum that has hosted UCLA home games for more than five decades.

Why the Rose Bowl?

The Rose Bowl, a 90,441‑seat stadium in Pasadena, has been UCLA’s home since 1928. While the venue is steeped in tradition—hosting the annual Rose Bowl Game, the College Football Playoff national championship, and even the 1994 Super Bowl—it is also aging and less profitable for a modern collegiate program. UCLA currently pays the Rose Bowl a lease fee that runs into the millions each year, a cost that the Bruins’ athletic budget has had to absorb despite rising revenue streams in other sports.

“The Rose Bowl is an iconic venue,” said UCLA Athletic Director John Stiegelmeier in an interview. “But the game day experience, revenue opportunities, and fan engagement it offers are not as aligned with our long‑term vision as an on‑campus stadium would be.”

The New Stadium Concept

The newly conceived stadium will be situated on the UCLA campus, likely near the existing athletic fields in the Westwood area. With a seating capacity of roughly 55,000, the venue will be more intimate and modern, offering improved sightlines, premium seating options, and a 360‑degree concourse for concessions and merchandise. The design emphasizes student and fan experience, with dedicated areas for fan clubs, alumni, and corporate partners.

In addition to football, the stadium is expected to serve as a multi‑purpose venue for other sporting events, concerts, and community gatherings, thereby maximizing its utility and revenue potential. UCLA is actively exploring naming‑rights agreements and corporate sponsorships to offset construction costs—an approach that could bring in significant upfront capital.

Financial Outlook

The projected $55 million price tag includes site preparation, construction, and initial outfitting. While this is a substantial capital outlay, UCLA’s athletic department plans to tap a mix of university funds, donor contributions, and revenue‑sharing models to finance the project. The new stadium’s ownership structure would also give UCLA greater control over ticket sales, concessions, parking, and event scheduling—factors that could drive higher per‑game revenue compared to the Rose Bowl’s lease arrangement.

UCLA’s athletic budget already allocates millions annually to football operations, and the university’s recent investment in athletic facilities—such as the new lacrosse and soccer fields—shows a clear commitment to upgrading campus infrastructure.

Timeline and Milestones

• 2024‑2025: Finalize design and secure necessary approvals from university administration and local authorities.
• 2025‑2026: Launch a capital‑raising campaign targeting alumni, foundations, and corporate partners.
• 2026‑2027: Groundbreaking and construction begins.
• 2028‑2029: Completion of the stadium, with a grand opening event planned for the 2029 football season.

During the transition period, UCLA will continue to use the Rose Bowl for its home games until the new stadium is ready to host.

Implications for the Bruins and the Region

The move to an on‑campus stadium could dramatically alter the Bruins’ home‑field advantage. A smaller, more intimate venue typically produces a louder, more engaging atmosphere—an element that could be especially valuable in the highly competitive Pac‑12 Conference. Additionally, the reduced travel distance for fans (the current 12‑mile commute to Pasadena) could boost attendance and strengthen the bond between the student body and the athletic program.

The shift also signals a broader trend among collegiate programs seeking to modernize their facilities in line with fan expectations and revenue‑generation models. While UCLA’s rival, the University of Southern California (USC), continues to play at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Bruins’ departure from the Rose Bowl will be the first time a major West Coast football program has left the historic venue for an on‑campus replacement in recent memory.

Looking Forward

As UCLA moves forward with the stadium plans, stakeholders—including students, alumni, donors, and local residents—will likely weigh the benefits of a state‑of‑the‑art facility against the loss of a storied tradition. If successful, the project could serve as a model for other universities looking to balance heritage with innovation.

For now, the Bruins are preparing to leave one of college football’s most iconic stages for a new chapter—one that promises to blend modern amenities, increased revenue, and a revitalized fan experience right on the Westwood campus. The coming years will be pivotal as the university navigates the complex logistics of construction, funding, and community engagement, all while maintaining the competitive edge that has defined UCLA football for generations.