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What to know about the 3 bowl games happening in AZ this winter

By Teresa K. Traverse

December 3, 2024

Learn about all three bowl games taking place this winter in Arizona: The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, the 2024 VRBO Fiesta Bowl, and the Rate Bowl. 

Every winter, the top college football teams from across the country compete against one another at bowl games held throughout the United States. This year, Arizona will host three of them.

The Grand Canyon State’s near-perfect winter weather makes it an ideal destination for college football. Plus, all three of these games are held over the holidays when most people have time off. Learn more about these three bowl games, from which stadiums they’ll be held in to how to watch online. Let’s play ball! 

1. Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl

When: Dec. 27: Pep rally; Dec. 28: Tailgate and game. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m.

Where: Arizona Stadium: 1 N. National Championship Drive in Tucson at the University of Arizona

Cost: Ticket prices start at $22. Purchase tickets here.

Where to watch on television: The CW Network has exclusive rights to broadcast this game.

Need to know: No food or drink is allowed inside, except unopened bottled water. Re-entry is not permitted.

One of America’s most wholesome (if not the most wholesome) rappers, Snoop Dogg, is hosting the Arizona Bowl in Southern Arizona. This bowl game will see top teams from the Mountain West and the Mid-American Conferences face off. The full name is The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop.

This bowl game was first held in 2015. According to its website, it is the only one in the United States that gives all of its proceeds to nonprofits. Since its inaugural game, it has given millions to over 70 nonprofits. Attendees looking to learn more about these organizations can do so at the Tailgate Festival on Dec. 28, prior to the game. During this time, the nonprofits will host activities and help raise awareness for their respective causes.

And, yes, Snoop Dogg will be at the game. In true hip-hop fashion, he’ll be promoting his line of premium Gin & Juice By Dre and Snoop. This is not Snoop’s first foray into sports and philanthropy. Seventeen years ago, he launched the Snoop Youth Football League. This organization provides an opportunity for inner-city kids to participate in youth football. More than 40 participants have even made it to the NFL.

What to know about the 3 Bowl Games happening in AZ this winter

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

2. 2024 VRBO Fiesta Bowl

When: Dec. 31 at 5:30 p.m.

Where: State Farm Stadium: 1 Cardinals Drive in Glendale

Cost: Ticket prices start at $173. Purchase them here.

Where to watch on television: ESPN

Need to know: The VRBO Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner and Rowe will be held in Central Phoenix on Dec. 28. The two-mile parade starts at 10 a.m. and has been going on for decades. Also, it’s free to the public. This year, Anthony Robles will serve as grand marshal. Born without his right leg, Robles went on to become a championship-winning wrestler at Arizona State University. 

Consider closing out 2024 at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl, which is officially known as the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. Founded in 1971, the Fiesta Bowl has a long history in Arizona. It was originally started as a way to give teams in the Western Athletic Conference a chance to play a postseason game. It gained more significance in the 1980s with higher profile match-ups. The bowl moved to State Farm Stadium back in 2007—giving the teams the opportunity to play in a real NFL stadium. The Fiesta Bowl is also a nonprofit that helps support a variety of organizations that serve local communities through youth sports and education.

This year’s game is special for a few reasons. The first is that this Fiesta Bowl is the first-ever college football playoff quarterfinal in the expanded 12-team playoff. The other three quarterfinals will be played on Jan. 1, 2025. This is also the fifth Fiesta Bowl in history that will be played on New Year’s Eve. The teams who will be playing will be announced in December.

Fun fact: If you’re interested in learning more about the Fiesta Bowl, there’s a museum where you can learn all about this organization located at the Scottsdale Waterfront. Admission is free. For even more history on this bowl game, check out these vintage posters advertising past Fiesta Bowls!

3. Rate Bowl

When: Dec. 26 at 3:30 p.m.

Where: Chase Field: 401 E. Jefferson Street in downtown Phoenix

Cost: Ticket prices start at $70. Purchase tickets here

Where to watch on television: ESPN

The first annual Rate Bowl was held on New Year’s Eve in 1989. It is the only scheduled postseason bowl matchup between teams from the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences. It was the first bowl game to be played at an MLB ballpark in 2000. The Rate Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl are both presented by the nonprofit Fiesta Bowl Organization, which benefits numerous Arizona nonprofits. 

Fun fact: After the game, the 75,000-square-foot natural glass playing field will be donated to a community in need. Last year, the field was donated to the Fighter Country Foundation at Luke Air Force Base. Watch the baseball field being transformed into a football field in this video.

What to know about the 3 Bowl Games happening in AZ this winter

Photo courtesy of the Fiesta Bowl.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. x?republication pixel=true&post=&ga=G NWLBHRL

 

READ MORE: Here’s what you need to know about the Arizona State University women’s basketball team

Author

  • Teresa K. Traverse

    Teresa K. Traverse is a Phoenix, Arizona-based writer and editor. Her work also has appeared in national print outlets including Weight Watchers, Bust and Parenting magazines and on sites like Tripadvisor, Wine Enthusiast, SFGate, Brides, Rachael Ray Every Day, Bustle, Racked, ForRent.com, WeddingWire, Refinery29, The Daily Meal, Oxygenmag.com, USA Today and Fast Company. She's the managing editor of Sedona Monthly. In her spare time, she loves hiking, reading magazines and spending quality time with her long-haired Chihuahua, Rocket. Visit teresaktraverse.com to check out more of her work.

CATEGORIES: SPORTS
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