Bowl game facts for kids

A bowl game is a special college football game played after the regular season ends. Think of it like a championship match or a big celebration for teams that had a great year! In NCAA football, teams usually need to win at least six games during their regular season to qualify for a bowl game. It's a huge honor for college players to compete in these exciting post-season events.

What Are College Football Bowl Games?

College football bowl games are extra games played at the end of the regular season. They are not part of the regular season schedule. Instead, they are like a reward for teams that have done well. These games are often played in famous stadiums across the United States. Many of them have a long history, going back many decades.

How Do Teams Get to Play?

To play in a bowl game, a college football team usually needs to have a winning record. This means they must win more than half of their games during the regular season. For example, if a team plays 12 games, they often need to win at least six of them. Different bowl games invite different teams based on their performance and rankings. Some bowls are very famous and only invite the top-ranked teams in the country.

Why Are Bowl Games Important?

Bowl games are important for many reasons. For the players, it's a chance to show off their skills on a national stage. It can be a big moment for their careers. For the colleges, it brings prestige and attention to their sports programs. Fans love bowl games because they offer exciting matchups between teams that might not play each other during the regular season. These games also bring a lot of money to the cities where they are held, as fans travel to watch their teams play.

Famous Bowl Games

There are many famous bowl games, each with its own history and traditions. Some of the oldest and most well-known include:

• The Rose Bowl: Often called "The Granddaddy of Them All," it's played in Pasadena, California. It usually features teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences.
• The Sugar Bowl: Held in New Orleans, Louisiana, this game is known for its exciting atmosphere.
• The Orange Bowl: Played in Miami, Florida, it's one of the oldest bowl games.
• The Cotton Bowl Classic: This game takes place in Arlington, Texas, and has a rich history.
• The Peach Bowl: Located in Atlanta, Georgia, it has grown to be one of the major bowl games.

These games are often part of the College Football Playoff, which decides the national champion. The College Football Playoff includes semi-final games and a championship game. These are the biggest bowl games of all, determining the best team in college football each year.

Images for kids

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  Action during the 2006 Rose Bowl between Texas and USC

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  Action during the 1939 Cotton Bowl Classic between St. Mary's and Texas Tech

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  President John F. Kennedy (lower left of center) at the 1963 Orange Bowl in Miami

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  1973 Gator Bowl game program

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  2010 BCS National Championship Game between Alabama and Texas

See also

In Spanish: Bowl para niños