<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> 2017 season matchup </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> TBD (January 1, 2018) </Td> </Tr> <P> The Rose Bowl Game is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 (New Year's Day) at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California . When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2 (15 times now). The Rose Bowl is nicknamed "The Granddaddy of Them All" because it is the oldest bowl game . It was first played in 1902, and has been played annually since 1916 . Since 1945, it has been the highest attended college football bowl game . It is a part of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association's "America's New Year Celebration," which also includes the historic Rose Parade . </P> <P> Beginning with the 2015 game, the official name for sponsorship reasons is the "Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual". Vizio was the previous sponsor from 2012; prior sponsors included AT&T, Sony, and Citi . In 2015, the game was also officially known as the "College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual ." </P>

Why is the rose bowl called the rose bowl