Holiday Bowl Festivities Keep the Holidays Going in San Diego! The annual college football game takes over Snap Dragon Stadium and brings more fun to downtown San Diego, including the Holiday Bowl Parade. The 2024 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl is scheduled for Friday, December 27, 2024, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. This year’s matchup features the Syracuse Orange (9-3) from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) against the Washington State Cougars (8-4) from the Pac-12 Conference. Plus the first 10,000 fans to enter the gates at Snapdragon Stadium for the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl will receive a FREE SeaWorld San Diego admission ticket that is valid through January 31, 2025.
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THE DIRECT TV HOLIDAY BOWL
Get Ready for the Game
For the first time ever, Snapdragon Stadium will host the Holiday Bowl! Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. this Friday. Washington State will take the west sideline as the home team, while Syracuse will line up on the east.
Arrive early! The first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive a free ticket to SeaWorld. Make sure you’re in your seat by 4:30 p.m. to enjoy exciting pregame festivities, including marching band performances and thrilling parachute jumpers.
Halftime will feature a crowd sing-along and another spectacular show from the bands. Plus, between the third and fourth quarter, three lucky fans will compete in a football throwing contest for the chance to win $100,000 in tuition! The night wraps up with the dazzling KGB SkyShow fireworks display after the game. Tickets start at just $60.30 and are available now at holidaybowl.com through Ticketmaster. Don’t miss out on the fun!
There are many ways to tackle this festive celebration — even if you’re not watching the game. These are some of the biggest events on the roster:
Thursday, Dec 26 / Holiday Bowl Bash: The excitement starts early with the fourth annual Bowl Bash on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Gaslamp Quarter (at Fifth Avenue and Market Street). This free event has it all: live music, food, giveaways, street performers, interactive games, photo booths, and even the Holiday Bowl trophy! Don’t miss the thrilling Battle of the Bands as Syracuse and Washington State go head-to-head in a musical showdown. holidaybowl.com/bowl-bash/snapdragon-bowl-bash/.
Friday, Dec. 27 / Game Day 5K Run/Walk: Start your Friday with some fitness fun at the 29th annual Port of San Diego Game Day 5K Run/Walk! The race kicks off at 9:45 a.m. at Ash Street, with a scenic course heading south along Harbor Drive. All participants will receive a finisher’s medal, and top finishers in each age division will earn special awards. Don’t miss this exciting way to start your game day! Ready to join? Sign up at holidaybowl.com/5k-walk-run.
Friday, Dec. 27 / Holiday Bowl parade: Kick off your Friday morning with the spectacular Holiday Bowl Parade at 10 a.m.! Enjoy performances by the Washington State and Syracuse marching bands, dazzling drill teams, colorful floats, and larger-than-life balloons. Over 100,000 people are expected to join the fun! Viewing is free to the public, but if you’d like a reserved seat in the grandstand, tickets are available for $30 at holidaybowl.com/holiday-bowl-parade.
Friday, Dec. 27 /Tailgate Party: Get ready for game day with the official Holiday Bowl Tailgate Party outside Snapdragon Stadium on Friday. The Holiday Bowl Fan Fest is a free, family-friendly event packed with fun for all ages. For fans 21 and older, the beer garden will be open from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Tickets for the beer garden start at $30 and can be purchased at holidaybowl.com/game-day/tailgate-party.
Friday, Dec. 27 / Holiday Bowl: Snapdragon Stadium will host the Holiday Bowl for the first time. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday. The Holiday Bowl festivities conclude with the KGB Sky Show at the end of the game. Game tickets start at $60.30 and can be purchased at holidaybowl.com through Ticketmaster.
