College football loses bowl game after just five seasons

The LA Bowl, an annual college football postseason game held at SoFi Stadium, has been permanently discontinued. Organizers confirmed the decision, marking the end of the event after a five-year run. The cancellation reduces the number of expected bowl games for the 2026 season to 40, reflecting a shift in focus towards the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

Originally debuting in 2021, the LA Bowl paired the Mountain West champion with a Pac-12 opponent. Despite its modern venue and high-profile hosts like former NFL star Rob Gronkowski and comedian Jimmy Kimmel, the bowl struggled to maintain a foothold in a competitive market. The final game saw the Washington Huskies defeat Boise State 38-10.

The discontinuation of the LA Bowl highlights the challenges faced by smaller postseason events, with factors such as player opt-outs and the transfer portal impacting team participation. Nick Carparelli, executive director of Bowl Season, emphasized that the number of games is determined by host