Gameday need-to-knows for the return of football season

It’s that time of year again, Bruins – football season! The 2026 UCLA Football season kicks off with an away game on Sept. 5 against UC Berkeley. The first home game will be played against San Diego State University on Sept.12 at the Rose Bowl. Keep reading for need-to-know information, from one student to another, about the upcoming season and attending UCLA home games.

The Den Pass is a season ticket to all home UCLA Football and Men’s Basketball games, available for purchase on the UCLA Central Ticketing Office website. The ticket grants entry to the UCLA student section, the Den, and can be paid for via BruinBill. First-year students also have the option to purchase a Fours Up Den Pass, which is the Den Pass for all four years at UCLA at a discounted price.

For round-trip transportation to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on game day, consider Rooter Bus tickets. Rooter Buses begin loading on Charles E. Young Drive North in the designated bus loading area between the intramural fields and Wallis Annenberg Stadium three hours before kickoff and the last bus loads one and a half hours before kickoff. Rooter Bus season tickets are available for $60 and individual game Rooter Bus tickets can cost $15-$20. Season passholders must still make a reservation for each game they want to ride the Rooter Bus by “purchasing” a reservation ticket.

Keep in mind that the Rose Bowl has a clear bag policy for all events and those who do not comply must return bags to their vehicle or check them in outside of the stadium. And for any game-day gear, the UCLA Store on campus is a one-stop shop for officially licensed Bruins accessories and  apparel, including clear stadium-compliant bags. To read more about the policy and what bags are allowed at the Rose Bowl, click the link below.

One part of the game-day experience at the Rose Bowl is the tailgates at the stadium. For more information about where tailgates are allowed and tailgating guidelines, click the link below. Various tailgates are hosted by student organizations around the Rose Bowl and at the adjacent Brookside Golf Course. In the event of spotty cell service, try having a friend drop a pin on a map app at their tailgate location to help find those who are already at the Rose Bowl if your bus arrives later.

Go Bruins and fight fight fight!