LA Bowl shuts down after five seasons as college football bowl season shrinks

The LA Bowl has been discontinued after five years, with Washington's victory over Boise State marking its final game. This decision reduces the number of expected bowl games to 40 by the end of the 2026 season. The LA Bowl, held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, since 2021, featured teams from the Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences. Boise State was the only team to participate twice.

The future of bowl games remains uncertain due to potential College Football Playoff expansions and changing dynamics in college football. Last season, several programs, including Notre Dame, declined bowl invitations. Additionally, some games included five-win teams due to a shortage of eligible teams meeting the six-win requirement. Bowl Season executive director Nick Carparelli emphasized that the number of bowl games is driven by market demand, with host communities and interested teams determining their continuation.

The college football landscape is shifting towards a greater focus on playoffs, affecting the traditional perception of bowl games as rewards. Player opt