LA Bowl Ends After Five Years Amid Bowl Season Changes
College football’s landscape is changing fast, and the recent cancellation of the LA Bowl really drives that home. After five years of matchups at SoFi Stadium, the LA Bowl has wrapped up for good.
Plenty of fans and teams are feeling the loss. It might just be a sign of bigger shifts coming for college football’s postseason.
With the College Football Playoff (CFP) set to expand, folks are already expecting fewer bowl games in the near future. Smaller events like the LA Bowl might be just the beginning.
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End of an Era: The LA Bowl’s Final Game
The LA Bowl was a fixture at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California since 2021. Organizers confirmed that Washington’s win over Boise State in December was the last chapter for this young postseason event.
It brought together teams from the Pac-12 and Mountain West, and fans seemed to genuinely enjoy it. Still, even with its popularity, shifting priorities across college football spelled its end.
Reasons for the Cancellation
Why did the LA Bowl get the axe? There are a few reasons:
- College Football Playoff Expansion: As the CFP grows, attention naturally shifts toward those big-ticket games. That leaves smaller bowls struggling for relevance.
- Unruly December Calendar: December’s packed schedule, plus the single transfer portal window in January, just makes logistics a headache for bowl organizers.
- Player Opt-Outs: More and more players are skipping non-CFP bowls, which kind of takes the wind out of the sails for those games.
- Lack of Eligible Teams: Last season, a surprising number of programs turned down bowl invites. Some games even had to settle for five-win teams just to fill slots.
The Future of Bowl Games
The LA Bowl’s cancellation points to a bigger trend. Nick Carparelli, executive director of Bowl Season, says the number of bowl games depends on how many teams actually want to play.
The bowl system’s always been about supply and demand. If host cities keep stepping up and teams want in, bowls will stick around. But nothing’s set in stone—things could shift pretty quickly.
Market-Driven System
Carparelli puts it bluntly: bowls are market-driven, and always have been. For over a century, it’s been up to host communities and the interest of the teams.
If schools and players decide bowls aren’t worth it, the system adapts. It’s flexible, and maybe that’s its only real superpower.
Impact of Player Opt-Outs
One big headache for bowls right now? Players opting out of non-CFP games. It messes with the competition—star players sit out to prep for the NFL or avoid injury.
Bowl practices can also clash with recruiting, which coaches aren’t thrilled about. Lately, bowls just don’t feel like as much of a reward as they used to.
Looking Ahead: The Future of College Football Postseason
No one knows exactly where all this is heading, but change is coming. The CFP’s expansion is a huge factor, and it’s bound to shake up the postseason scene.
Bigger, high-stakes games will probably get even more attention. That could mean fewer smaller bowls surviving the cut.
Potential Decrease in Bowl Games
For now, there are plans to finish out the 2026 season with 40 bowl games. But after that, who knows?
Smaller events might struggle to stay afloat as the spotlight shifts. At the end of the day, if teams and fans aren’t interested, those games will disappear.
The Role of Host Communities
Host communities are the backbone of bowl games. They pour time and money into making these events happen.
If they stay committed, bowls might stick around. But if enthusiasm drops, expect the number of games to drop, too.
Conclusion: Embracing Change in College Football
The cancellation of the LA Bowl marks the end of an era for college football fans who’ve looked forward to this event over the past five years.
It’s a move that reflects bigger changes happening across college football right now. The bowl system has always had to adapt, sometimes in ways that surprise even longtime fans.
With the College Football Playoff expanding, the postseason scene feels like it’s in constant motion. The number of bowl games could shift up or down, depending on what markets want and what communities and teams are interested in hosting.
For more details on the LA Bowl’s cancellation and what’s next for college football’s postseason, check out the full article on CBS Sports.
