UCLA at the Rose Bowl (File Photo – Ken Lund)
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the City of Pasadena filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking to enforce a lease agreement between the Rose Bowl Stadium and UCLA. The city’s action follows an announcement from UCLA indicating its intent to breach the terms of a lease that was signed in 2010 and amended in 2014.
By News Desk
The lease agreement, which runs through 2044, contains clear language stating that UCLA does not have the option to terminate the contract before its expiration. However, a representative from UCLA recently notified both the City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Stadium that the university intends to take steps that would violate the agreement.
In response, the City of Pasadena emphasized its commitment to upholding the terms of the lease, citing its role in protecting the public interest and the rights of local residents. “The City expects UCLA to honor the terms of the agreement,” said a statement from the City Council. “We will do everything in our power to protect and defend the City’s contractual rights.”
Pasadena officials expressed disappointment over UCLA’s decision to pursue termination of the lease, especially given the long-standing partnership between the university and the stadium. For over 40 years, UCLA and the Rose Bowl have worked together, and the Rose Bowl has consistently exceeded its obligations under the agreement, including ongoing renovations and improvements to the stadium.
“The Rose Bowl has acted with transparency and integrity throughout this partnership,” the City’s statement continued. “Significant time, effort, and financial resources have been invested in maintaining and improving the stadium, ensuring it remains one of the most important venues in sports.”
The potential fallout from UCLA’s attempt to end the lease could have far-reaching consequences, both economically and reputationally. Local officials are concerned that such a move could damage the stadium’s legacy as one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the world, as well as negatively impact the region’s economy.
Known as “America’s Stadium,” the Rose Bowl remains one of the top-ranked college football stadiums in the country and hosts a wide array of major sports events and entertainment attractions year-round.
Despite the legal action, Pasadena and the Rose Bowl expressed a desire to maintain a positive relationship with UCLA moving forward. “We look forward to continued partnership with UCLA for years to come,” the statement concluded.
The whole reason UCLA is at Rose Bowl is because they didn’t want to go back to being third fiddle to USC and the relocated Raiders. So, do they honestly think they will control anything at Sofi in terms of preferred dates or even retaining parking revenue?
I did a Lot of work in that place in the Bowl’s ongoing effort to up grade. This is short-sighted, as while Sofi is close to UCLA, there are plenty of grads etc. in this area, and they do not share the place. And it is indisputable that it has one of the most picturesque settings