This year’s Holiday Bowl will achieve some firsts.
The football game and parade are being held in January for the first time, and the two teams participating are facing each other in the Holiday Bowl for the first time.
This guide highlights the teams in the 46th annual Holiday Bowl, along with information on attending the game, how to watch and other events around the game, including the Holiday Bowl Parade.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (1) throws the ball against Arizona State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The teams
This year’s Holiday Bowl features the Arizona Wildcats and the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs. Arizona will be on the east sideline and SMU on the west sideline. Each will share a $5.9 million payout.
This will be Arizona’s third time playing in the Holiday Bowl, previously in 1998 and 2009, and SMU’s second trip, the first in 1980.
Arizona finished its regular season with a 9-3 record and enter into the game with a five-game winning streak. SMU enters the contest with an 8-4 record, winning six of its last eight games.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan and SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee pose for a photo during a press conference ahead of the 2025 Holiday Bowl, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Attending the game
Snapdragon Stadium will host the Holiday Bowl, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2.
The first 10,000 attendees to enter the Snapdragon gates will receive complimentary SeaWorld San Diego tickets. Gates open at 3 p.m.
Pregame festivities begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. with performances by Arizona’s and SMU’s marching bands and parachute jumpers. There will be no public tailgate this year.
The halftime show is scheduled to have a crowd sing-along and marching bands.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting holidaybowl.com or by calling 619-283-5808. Tickets start at $79.55 each.
Public transportation and parking
Fans can take the Metropolitan Transit System’s Green Line to Snapdragon Stadium, exiting at the Stadium Station. One-way fares cost $2.50; day passes for adults are $6. Park and ride locations and trolley schedules can be found at sdmts.com/rider-info/events/holiday-bowl-game-0
For those who choose to drive to the game, parking spaces are sold in advance starting at $38.60 at snapdragonstadium.com/visit/directions-parking-and-transportation.
There are also ride share pick-up and drop-off areas inside Gate 1 on Mission Village Drive.
TV and radio
The game will be broadcast nationally on Fox television and Sirius XM Channel 83, Fox Sports Radio.
Thousands gather to watch marching bands, floats, giant balloons and other entertainment during the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Ana Ramirez / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The parade
The Holiday Bowl Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 2. It features both university marching bands, floats, dance units and giant balloons. The parade runs along Pacific Highway and passes by the San Diego County Administration Building and ends at the intersection of North Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway.
The public can view the parade along the side of Pacific Highway or at $30 grandstand seating areas, available at holidaybowl.com. The parade will also be streamed on CBS 8+ app and at holidaybowl.com.
Because of the parade, Harbor Drive from Grape Street to Broadway will be closed on Jan. 2 from 7:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
5K run and walk
Before the Holiday Bowl Parade, a 5K run and walk event is held. The race starts at North Harbor Drive and Ash Street. The route takes participants south on North Harbor Drive, behind the San Diego Convention Center, Seaport Village and ends at Ruocco Park.
There will be awards for the top three finishers in each division, and all participants will receive a finisher medal.
To register for the 5K, visit holidaybowl.com/5k-walk-run.
Bowl bash
On New Year’s Day, the Holiday Bowl Band Bash takes place at SeaWorld San Diego. The SMU and Arizona marching bands and cheer squads will compete in a friendly competition.
Those attending the Holiday Bowl can register for free tickets to the Band Bash at holidaybowl.com/bowl-bash/snapdragon-bowl-bash.
The event is limited to the first 1,000 people who sign up and can show proof of a Holiday Bowl game ticket. The Band Bash begins at 4 p.m.
Holiday Bowl history
The inaugural Holiday Bowl was played Dec. 22, 1978, with Navy beating BYU 23-16 at what was then known as San Diego Stadium.
In years past, the Holiday Bowl matched up teams from the Big 12 and Big Ten against a Pac-12 team. This is the third year that a team from the ACC has competed.
The Holiday Bowl debuted at Snapdragon Stadium in 2024. The game was played at Petco Park in 2022 and 2023.