A guide to the parade, tailgate party, 5K run and more

Honoring world champion eater Joey Chestnut as honorary chairman and parade grand marshal is just one of the many spectacles at this year’s DirecTV Holiday Bowl.

This guide highlights events surrounding the big game and provides information about the participating teams, purchasing tickets, team trips, transportation options and some of the history of the Holiday Bowl.

The teams

In the 45th Holiday Bowl, No. 21 Syracuse will face Washington State. Syracuse will make its Holiday Bowl debut and Washington State will make its fifth visit. The Holiday Bowl payout is $5.87 million.

The 21st-ranked Orange finished the 2024 regular season with a record of 9-3. They boast about it the nation’s front runner in quarterback Kyle McCord, who threw for 4,326 yards and 29 touchdowns. Syracuse’s offense is averaging 32.6 points per game this season.

The Cougars had an 8-4 regular season record this year. This is Washington State’s second trip to Snapdragon this season. The first was a 29-26 win over San Diego State on October 26th. The Cougars should use a backup quarterback. RRegular season quarterback John Mateer entered the transfer portal along with two dozen Cougars football players. Mateer led the country with him 44 combined touchdowns during the 2024 regular season; He has since decided to move to Oklahoma.

Syracuse and Washington State have only met once before. In 1979the Orange defeated the Cougars 52-25.

Washington State will be headquartered at the Manchester Grand Hyatt and Syracuse will be staying at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Holiday Bowl officials said.

At the game

Snapdragon Stadium will host the Holiday Bowl for the first time. Kick-off is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. Washington State will be the home team and will be on the west side. Syracuse will occupy the east sideline.

The first 10,000 fans to pass through the stadium gates will receive a free ticket to SeaWorld. Attendees are asked to be in their seats at 4:30 p.m. when pre-game festivities begin, which will include performances by marching bands and skydivers. At halftime there is a sing-along from the crowd and another performance by both bands.

Between the third and fourth quarters, three fans participate in a football throwing contest for a chance to win $100,000 in tuition money.

The Holiday Bowl festivities conclude with the postgame KGB SkyShow.

Game tickets start at $60.30 and can be purchased at holidaysbowl.com via Ticketmaster.

Public transport and parking

Fans can take the Metropolitan Transit System Green Line to Snapdragon Stadium and get off at Stadium Station. A one-way trip costs $2.50; Adult day tickets are $6. For park and ride locations and trolley schedules, see sdmts.com/rider-info/events/holiday-bowl-game-0.

For those wishing to drive to the game, parking is sold in advance starting at $36.20 snapdragonstadium.com/visit/directions-parking-and-transportation.

There are also rideshare pickup and drop-off areas within Gate 1 on Mission Village Drive.

television and radio

The game will be broadcast nationally on Fox television and radio on Sirius XM Channel 83.

5km running and walking

The first event on Friday is the 29th annual Port of San Diego Game Day 5K Run/Walk, which begins at 9:45 a.m. The 5K course begins on Ash Street. Participants drive south on Harbor Drive.

5K participants receive a finisher medal and awards for the best in their age group. To register for the 5K, visit Holidaybowl.com/5k-walk-run.

The parade

The Holiday Bowl Parade begins at 10 a.m. Friday. The Washington State and Syracuse marching bands will perform, as will practice teams and various floats with extra-large balloons. More than 100,000 observers are expected. The viewing is free to the public and grandstand tickets can be purchased for $30 at festagebowl.com/holiday-bowl-parade.

Bowl Bash

Audiences can expect live music, food, giveaways, photo opportunities and a battle of the bands at the fourth annual Bowl Bash on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. This free event pits bands from Syracuse and Washington State against each other on Fifth Avenue and Market Street in the Gaslamp Quarter. The Bowl Bash will also feature street performers, interactive games, photo booths and photo opportunities with the Holiday Bowl trophy.

Tailgate party

An official Holiday Bowl tailgate party will be held in front of Snapdragon Stadium on Friday. The Holiday Bowl Fan Fest is a free event for all ages. There will also be a beer garden for visitors aged 21 and over from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Beer garden admission prices start at $30 and can be purchased at holidaysbowl.com/game-day/tailgate-party.

History of the Holiday Bowl

The first Holiday Bowl was played on December 22, 1978, with Navy defeating BYU 23-16 at what was then known as San Diego Stadium.

In past years, the Holiday Bowl has pitted teams from the Big 12 and Big Ten against a Pac-12 team. This is the third year a team from the ACC has participated.

The Holiday Bowl will make its debut at Snapdragon Stadium this year. The game has been played for the last two years Petco Park.

Originally published: December 23, 2024 at 12:21 pm PST