December 21, 2025
The Rose Bowl has long been one of college football’s most expensive tickets, and this year’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup between Indiana and Alabama is no exception. While prices are elevated compared to other CFP quarterfinal games this season, they remain reasonable by Rose Bowl standards, especially when viewed against historical trends — and data suggests there’s still room for prices to soften as kickoff approaches.
Where To Buy Rose Bowl Tickets
Primary market face-value tickets are sold out.
On the secondary market, TicketIQ has Fee-Free Rose Bowl tickets with a Refund Guarantee. Our Refund Guarantee states that if an event is canceled or deemed unfit for fans to attend, TicketIQ will refund ticket buyers as soon as 15 days. That means that you can buy from TicketIQ worry-free. TicketIQ also has Fee-free tickets for all college bowl and college football playoff games.
How Rose Bowl Prices Compare to This Year’s CFP Quarterfinals
Among the remaining College Football Playoff games, the Rose Bowl currently sits near the top of the pricing spectrum. While several CFP quarterfinal matchups have get-in prices under $200, Rose Bowl tickets are holding closer to the mid-$200s and above, reflecting the game’s prestige, venue, and national appeal.
That premium is expected. The Rose Bowl has consistently priced higher than most non-championship CFP games due to:
- Its New Year’s Day tradition
- The Pasadena destination factor
- Strong neutral-fan demand
Still, compared to other Rose Bowls over the last decade, this year’s prices are not extreme — particularly when factoring in the teams involved.
Historical Context: How This Rose Bowl Stacks Up
Looking at recent Rose Bowl pricing (excluding COVID-impacted seasons and older anomalies), average prices for marquee matchups featuring powerhouse programs like Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, and Oregon have frequently climbed well above current levels.
Notably:
- Oregon, a regional powerhouse with a long Rose Bowl history, has consistently driven higher prices when involved.
- Matchups featuring two massive, travel-heavy fan bases have produced some of the most expensive Rose Bowls of the last decade.
- Even so, many Rose Bowls have seen prices decline in the final two weeks before kickoff as inventory builds and sellers adjust expectations.
That late-cycle softening matters this year — especially given the current demand profile.
Alabama vs. Indiana: A Demand Mismatch
This year’s matchup presents an unusual dynamic.
Alabama: Experience Drives Down Interest
Alabama fans are among the most experienced postseason travelers in college football. With multiple Rose Bowl appearances in recent years, Crimson Tide fans tend to approach secondary-market pricing with discipline. That familiarity often limits price spikes, even in iconic venues.
Indiana: Historic Moment, But Measured Spending
Indiana, meanwhile, is in unfamiliar territory. While the Hoosiers boast a large student body and alumni base comparable to programs like Michigan, their football fan base is unaccustomed to postseason success at this level. That has translated into excitement — but also caution.
Many Indiana fans appear to be waiting before committing fully, potentially saving travel budgets for a possible semifinal or championship run rather than spending aggressively at the quarterfinal stage.
Section and Sideline Breakdown
Team sideline pricing offers a clean snapshot of fan urgency.
- Alabama fans (East sideline, Sections 1–8)
- Cheapest available seat: $358
- Indiana fans (West sideline, Sections 16–20)
- Cheapest available seat: $477
That difference isn’t driven by sun exposure or seat quality — it’s a demand signal. Indiana’s side of the stadium is currently modestly more expensive at the lowest price point, indicating slightly higher urgency among Hoosier fans to sit near their team.
However, the gap is narrow, suggesting measured enthusiasm rather than overwhelming demand.
Will Prices Drop Before Kickoff?
History suggests there’s a strong chance.
Even in Rose Bowls featuring two national brands, prices have often:
- Peaked shortly after matchups were set
- Drifted downward in the final two weeks
- Created short buying windows close to game day
Given that this year’s prices are starting from a lower baseline than many recent Rose Bowls — and given Indiana’s cautious fan spending — similar late-cycle pressure could emerge again.
Bottom Line: Expensive, But Not Overheated
This Rose Bowl is:
- More expensive than most CFP quarterfinals
- Reasonably priced compared to historical Rose Bowls
- Not showing signs of runaway demand
Indiana fans appear moderately more excited than Alabama fans, but not at levels that historically push Rose Bowl prices into extreme territory. With inventory still building and travel decisions still being made, buyers willing to wait may see better opportunities closer to kickoff.
For one of college football’s most iconic stages, this year’s Rose Bowl market looks premium — but rational.
