When the less-than-successful stretch engulfed UCLA, and when fans sat clustered together to hide an empty stadium, Rose Bowl was still an identity the program carried with pride. “Rose Bowl is UCLA, and UCLA the Rose Bowl,” the school would write as the iconic stadium celebrated its centenary three years back; a century that saw the grand debut of “Downfall of Troy,” and the exultation of Brandi Chastain.

…A century that housed “The Granddaddy of Them All,” and celebrated the Olympians twice– for four decades, the Bruins called the best stadium in college football their home. But now, the program is ready to move on, drawn to the shinier SoFi Stadium. Only the program.

In a report shared by UCLA beat writer Ben Bolch, the fans’ loyalty to Pasadena is glaring. Of 1,040 votes, 79.5% favor staying at the Rose Bowl, while only 20.5% support the move to SoFi.

Yes, playing at the Rose Bowl seems hardly convenient to the Bruins. It sits 26 miles from campus, and its massive 90,000-seat capacity often leaves sections looking empty. SoFi Stadium, by contrast, sits just 12 miles from campus. Moreover, the modern venue offers UCLA a total of 70,000 seats with 13,000 premium seats and 260 luxury suites and promises new sponsorship and revenue opportunities.

But fans aren’t digging the advantages.

Since 1982, the Bruins have gone on to win five Rose Bowls and stood witness to Maurice Jones-Drew’s 322-yard Masterclass in 2004. One wouldn’t forget the team winning four in a row at the Rose Bowl against USC in the ’90s, either.

The history, tradition, and defining moments outweigh the financial gains SoFi might be offering. Jackie Robinson, the only Bruin to letter in four sports, Chastain, the soccer icon who won the Women’s World Cup, and Keith Jackson, the legendary football broadcaster– all find their statues dedicated in the premises, adding to the richness.

There’s a reason SI named it the ‘greatest stadium in college football history.’

But even with all of that, UCLA sees SoFi Stadium, home to the NFL’s Chargers and Rams, as the future of Bruins football. For now, though, the debate over tradition versus revenue continues to dominate headlines and fan discussions alike.

UCLA fans make their stance crystal clear

UCLA is planning to buy out its lease with the Rose Bowl Operating Company and the City of Pasadena, with costs estimated between $60 million-80 million. But as it doesn’t expire until June 2044, legal complications are already emerging. On October 29, the city filed a lawsuit, claiming UCLA is violating its long-term agreement. Now, that could potentially expose the school to over $1 billion in damages.

It is not helping with an already disappointed crowd.

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Fans are not in denial of the Rose Bowl’s issues, but can going to SoFi solve all of these? One fan put it best, saying, “Problems with the Rose Bowl (in a #UCLA football context): far from campus, too many seats to fill, old (but renovations are scheduled). SoFi Stadium solves exactly ZERO of these issues. Still far, still huge. Still gonna be empty seats. And now we don’t get to see this 💔”

Considering UCLA might largley house students from out of states or out of country, it’s no secret that the football popularity is low on campus. Those interested will make their way to the stadium, 16 miles away for 26. “Moving to SoFi will not fix their attendance issue. Pauley Pavillion is rarely sold out. People don’t care about UCLA sports like they used to.”

But the faithfuls still do exist. “We’ve had our season tickets for 19 years. We are there EVERY game. Tailgating. Spending $ at the store, in the Rose Bowl. Unfortunately we will not renew if they go to SoFi,” another expressed.

From the 2006 13-9 win over the Trojans that denied them national championship contention to Josh Rosen’s legacy game that helped the Bruins stage one of the greatest comebacks against Texas in 2017, the stadium has held one too many moments close to heart for the ULA fans.

“I grew up going to @UCLAFootball games at @RoseBowlStadium…. The news today is a shot to the heart of all UCLA faithful. I won’t be able to take my kids tailgating and we’re losing one of the last great traditions of college football,” one more echoed. The Rose Bowl significance is so large, Trojans Wire writes that the USC should schedule at least a game each season in the stadium to keep the history alive.

Still, not all fans view the decision to move home games through the same lens. The Rose Bowl sits in a miniature valley that is surrounded by residential area. Getting there was quite the task for a large crowd. So one fan’s out here picking out the positives: “It’s much easier to go from the west side to Inglewood than Pasadena. And you could conceivably take public transportation too. As far as seating, SoFi has fewer seats so it would mitigate the empty stadium feel.”

Since this decision hasn’t been implemented yet, fans can focus on the rollercoaster season of the Bruins that currently reads 3-6.