About Holiday Bowl
The Holiday Bowl, inaugurated in 1978, emerged as a crucial fixture for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) after the Fiesta Bowl severed ties with the WAC due to the departure of Arizona and Arizona State. Originally designed to offer an automatic bowl bid to the WAC champion, it initially featured matchups with at-large teams. From 1991 to 1994, the Big Ten Conference secured the second bid if it had enough eligible teams.
From 1998 to 2009, the game featured the #2 Pac-10 and #3 Big 12 teams, but in 2010, the Alamo Bowl outbid the Holiday Bowl for the preferred matchup. Despite this, the Pac-12 and Big 12 maintained their association with the Holiday Bowl, showcasing the #3 Pac-12 team against the #5 Big 12 team from 2010 to 2013.
The landscape shifted again in 2014 when the Big Ten returned to the Holiday Bowl after a two-decade hiatus. The game featured the #3 Pac-12 team against the #4 Big Ten team. In 2019, plans were announced to include an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) team alongside a Pac-12 team from 2020 to 2025.
Sponsors have played a notable role in the Holiday Bowl history, including SeaWorld, Thrifty Car Rental, Chrysler Corporation, Culligan, Pacific Life, Bridgepoint Education, National University, National Funding, San Diego County Credit Union, and DirecTV.
However, recent years posed challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 edition was canceled, and the 2021 edition faced last-minute cancellation due to COVID-19 protocol issues within the UCLA program. This led to a lawsuit in May 2023, where organizers sought $3 million in damages from the Pac-12 and UCLA, highlighting the financial ramifications of event cancellations and payment withholdings.
Holiday Bowl Game Schedule 2024
The Holiday Bowl 2024 was scheduled for December 27th at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. This 45th annual edition, officially named the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl, featured a matchup between the Syracuse Orange from the ACC and the Washington State Cougars from the Pac-12.
Holiday Bowl Game Time
The Holiday Bowl game was scheduled for a prime-time slot, the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl kicked off at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, providing a nationwide audience with the anticipated clash between Syracuse and Washington State.
Holiday Bowl Teams Qualified for 2024
In the highly anticipated 2024 Holiday Bowl, the Syracuse Orange, representing the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), faced off against the Washington State Cougars from the Pac-12 Conference. Syracuse Orange won the match-up, 52-35.
Holiday Bowl Game Tickets
The Holiday Bowl 2024 tickets started at $69. The prime platform for ticket needs was StubHub, the world's largest ticket forum, offering the best seats at affordable prices. Ensure peace of mind with StubHub's FanProtect guarantee. For even more budget-friendly options, consider SeatGeek, where Holiday Bowl tickets, sponsored by Bridgepoint Education, can be found for as low as $69. SeatGeek is your go-to source for Holiday Bowl tickets, whether for the regular season, preseason, playoffs, or parking.
Holiday Bowl Location: Name of Stadium
The 2024 Holiday Bowl will occured at Snapdragon Stadium, a prominent baseball stadium in San Diego, California. Serving as the home ballpark for the San Diego State Aztecs, Snapdragon Stadium is one of the newest state-of-the-art stadiums hosting various events, including concerts, motorsports, golf, football, and rugby. The stadium was constructed in 2020 and has been operational since August 19, 2022.
Holiday Bowl Records
| Team | Record, Team vs. Opponent | Year |
| Most points scored (one team) | 65, Texas A&M vs. BYU | 1990 |
| Most points scored (losing team) | 45, SMU vs. BYU | 1980 |
| Most points scored (both teams) | 91, BYU vs. SMU | 1980 |
| Fewest points allowed | 0, Nebraska vs. Arizona | 2009 |
| Largest margin of victory | 51, Texas A&M vs. BYU | 1990 |
| Total yards | 698, Oklahoma State vs. Wyoming | 1988 |
| Rushing yards | 393, SMU vs. BYU | 1980 |
| Passing yards | 576, BYU vs. Penn State | 1989 |
| First downs | 35, BYU vs. Penn State | 1989 |
| Fewest yards allowed | 109, Nebraska vs. Arizona | 2009 |
| Fewest rushing yards allowed | –12, Texas A&M vs. BYU | 1990 |
| Fewest passing yards allowed | 46, Nebraska vs. Arizona | 2009 |
| Individual | Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent | Year |
| All-purpose yards | ||
| Touchdowns (all-purpose) | 5, Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State vs. Wyoming | 1988 |
| Rushing yards | 235, Raymont Harris, Ohio State vs. BYU | 1993 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 5, Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State vs. Wyoming | 1988 |
| Passing yards | 576, Ty Detmer, BYU vs. Penn State | 1989 |
| Passing touchdowns | 6, Miller Moss, USC vs Louisville | 2023 |
| Receiving yards | 168, Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State vs. Oregon | 2008 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 3, Clay Brown, BYU vs. SMU | 1980 |
| Tackles | 18 (total), Garland Rivers, Michigan vs. BYU 17 (solo), same | 1984 |
| Sacks | 4, Bobby Bell, Missouri vs. BYU | 1983 |
| Interceptions | 2, by several players—most recent: Brandon Foster, Texas vs. Arizona State | 2007 |
| Long Plays | Record, Player, Team vs. Opponent | Year |
| Touchdown run | 76, Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon vs. Oklahoma State | 2008 |
| Touchdown pass | 76, Koy Detmer to Rae Carruth, Colorado vs. Washington | 1996 |
| Kickoff return | 98, shared by: Adoree' Jackson, USC vs. Nebraska Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Iowa vs. USC | 2014 2019 |
| Punt return | 85, Darran Hall, Colorado State vs. Missouri | 1997 |
| Interception return | 48, Vincent Meeks, Texas Tech vs. California | 2004 |
| Fumble return | 82, Jared McGee, Northwestern vs. Utah | 2018 |
| Punt | 64, shared by: Justin Tucker, Texas vs. California Sam Foltz, Nebraska vs. USC | 2011 2014 |
| Field goal | 51, Ray Tarasi, Penn State vs. BYU | 1989 |
Holiday Bowl Winner List
The Holiday Bowl winner list is as follows:
| Date Played | Winning team | Losing team | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 22, 1978 | Navy | 23 | BYU | 16 |
| December 21, 1979 | Indiana | 38 | #9 BYU | 37 |
| December 19, 1980 | #14 BYU | 46 | #19 SMU | 45 |
| December 18, 1981 | #14 BYU | 38 | #20 Washington State | 36 |
| December 17, 1982 | #17 Ohio State | 47 | BYU | 17 |
| December 23, 1983 | #9 BYU | 21 | Missouri | 17 |
| December 21, 1984 | #1 BYU | 24 | Michigan | 17 |
| December 22, 1985 | #14 Arkansas | 18 | Arizona State | 17 |
| December 30, 1986 | #19 Iowa | 39 | San Diego State | 38 |
| December 30, 1987 | #18 Iowa | 20 | Wyoming | 19 |
| December 30, 1988 | #12 Oklahoma State | 62 | #15 Wyoming | 14 |
| December 29, 1989 | #18 Penn State | 50 | #19 BYU | 39 |
| December 29, 1990 | Texas A&M | 65 | #13 BYU | 14 |
| December 30, 1991 | BYU | 13 | #7 Iowa | 13 |
| December 30, 1992 | Hawaii | 27 | Illinois | 17 |
| December 30, 1993 | #11 Ohio State | 28 | BYU | 21 |
| December 30, 1994 | #20 Michigan | 24 | #10 Colorado State | 14 |
| December 29, 1995 | #10 Kansas State | 54 | Colorado State | 21 |
| December 30, 1996 | #8 Colorado | 33 | #13 Washington | 21 |
| December 29, 1997 | #18 Colorado State | 35 | #19 Missouri | 24 |
| December 30, 1998 | #5 Arizona | 23 | #14 Nebraska | 20 |
| December 29, 1999 | #7 Kansas State | 24 | Washington | 20 |
| December 29, 2000 | #8 Oregon | 35 | #12 Texas | 30 |
| December 28, 2001 | #9 Texas | 47 | #21 Washington | 43 |
| December 27, 2002 | #6 Kansas State | 34 | Arizona State | 27 |
| December 30, 2003 | #15 Washington State | 28 | #5 Texas | 20 |
| December 30, 2004 | #23 Texas Tech | 45 | #4 California | 31 |
| December 29, 2005 | Oklahoma | 17 | #6 Oregon | 14 |
| December 28, 2006 | #20 California | 45 | #21 Texas A&M | 10 |
| December 27, 2007 | #17 Texas | 52 | #12 Arizona State | 34 |
| December 30, 2008 | #15 Oregon | 42 | #13 Oklahoma State | 31 |
| December 30, 2009 | #20 Nebraska | 33 | #22 Arizona | 0 |
| December 30, 2010 | Washington | 19 | #17 Nebraska | 7 |
| December 28, 2011 | Texas | 21 | California | 10 |
| December 27, 2012 | Baylor | 49 | #17 UCLA | 26 |
| December 30, 2013 | Texas Tech | 37 | #16 Arizona State | 23 |
| December 27, 2014 | #24 USC | 45 | #25 Nebraska | 42 |
| December 30, 2015 | #23 Wisconsin | 23 | USC | 21 |
| December 27, 2016 | Minnesota | 17 | Washington State | 12 |
| December 28, 2017 | #19 Michigan State | 42 | #21 Washington State | 17 |
| December 31, 2018 | Northwestern | 31 | #20 Utah | 20 |
| December 27, 2019 | #19 Iowa | 49 | #22 USC | 24 |
| December 2020 | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||
| December 28, 2021 | Canceled due to COVID-19 protocols | |||
| December 28, 2022 | #15 Oregon | 28 | North Carolina | 27 |
| December 27, 2023 | USC | 42 | #16 Louisville | 28 |
| December 27, 2024 | #22 Syracuse | 52 | Washington State | |
FAQs on Holiday Bowl
A. The 2024 Holiday Bowl was played at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
A. The 2024 Holiday Bowl took place on Friday, December 27, 2023.
Teams from conferences like the Pac-12, ACC, or Big Ten typically participate.
A. The Holiday Bowl has been operating since 1978.
