Rose Bowl Announces First In-Person Attendance Events Under State’s New Reopening Rules

Rose Bowl Manager Darryl Dunn said Saturday that under new California Department of Public Health orders announced late last week the stadium will host the return of the in-person Rose Bowl Flea Market on April 11 and confirmed the Bowl’s first scheduled major sporting event will come August 28 when UCLA hosts the University of Hawaii.

“The new guidelines and tier protocols that were announced by the Governor [were] very exciting as this may allow patrons to get back to attend events inside our beloved stadium,” Dunn said in an email.

“At this time we are planning the Rose Bowl Flea Market and hope people come to the event on April 11,” he said.

Under the guidance announced Friday, outdoor sports and live performance venues can reopen on April 1, with capacity limits based on the county’s tier ranking.

For counties in the most restrictive “purple” tier, outdoor venues will be limited to a total of 100 people, with only local residents permitted, advance reservations or tickets required and no concessions or concourse sales allowed.

But when counties reach the less-restrictive “red” tier, capacity will be increased to 20%, with primarily in-seat concessions allowed. In the even less-restrictive “orange” tier, 33% capacity will be allowed, and in the top “yellow” tier, capacity will increase to 67%.

Only in-state visitors will be permitted to the venues in counties in the “red,” “orange” and “yellow” tiers.

“We are working on opportunities that could result in some events coming to the Rose Bowl, but we are awaiting further details in order to determine the economic feasibility of events with limited fans,” Dunn said.

Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s Health and Human Services secretary, voiced a note of optimism about reopening.

“With case rates and hospitalizations significantly lower, the arrival of three highly effective vaccines and targeted efforts aimed at vaccinating the most vulnerable communities, California can begin gradually and safely bringing back more activities, especially those that occur outdoors and where consistent masking is possible,” Ghaly said.

“Even with these changes, California retains some of the most robust public health protocols in the country.”