Inaugural LA Bowl Game Canceled Due To COVID-19
Dec 7, 2020, 2:13 PM
A general view of the roof and screen at SoFi Stadium before the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers on November 29, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The first ever LA Bowl game will have to begin a new bowl tradition until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The LA Bowl officials announced on Twitter that the 2020 inaugural game has been canceled.
“The inaugural LA Bowl has been postponed to 2021,” the statement read. “While the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented us from having the game this year, we look forward to hosting teams from the Mountain West and Pac-12 conferences at SoFi Stadium next December.”
— LABowlGame (@LABowlGame) December 7, 2020
During Mountain West and Pac-12 Media Days in 2019, the two conferences announced a bowl game agreement for the postseason game to be played at the brand new, state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium, which is the home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams in the NFL.
The Pac-12 released the following statement on Monday:
“The Pac-12 shares the disappointment of our student-athletes and fans in the postponement of the inaugural LA Bowl due to the current pandemic,” the statement read. “At the same time, we are looking forward to the LA Bowl in 2021 which promises to be an incredible national stage in one of the world’s best sporting venues for one of our Pac-12 teams to showcase their talents.”
Statement regarding LA Bowl: https://t.co/SXPTPYqRS2 pic.twitter.com/TN6HCThMkQ
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) December 7, 2020
The Mountain West released the following statement on Monday after the LA Bowl was canceled.
“The Mountain West was excited to be a part of the inaugural LA Bowl at the conclusion of the 2020 college football season,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has postponed the game. The Mountain West looks forward to partnering with the LA Bowl in 2021 and showcasing one of its teams against the Pac-12 in the state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium.”
https://t.co/23wZXgBv0Q pic.twitter.com/fOdnMUzH7s
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) December 7, 2020
According to Yahoo! Sports, this is the 11th bowl game in 2020 to be canceled due to the pandemic. It’s the fifth bowl games with Pac-12 ties to be canceled.
- Bahamas Bowl (C-USA vs. MAC)
- Celebration Bowl (MEAC vs. SWAC)
- Fenway Bowl (AAC vs. ACC)
- Hawai’i Bowl (AAC vs. Mountain West)
- Holiday Bowl (ACC vs. Pac-12)
- Las Vegas Bowl (Pac-12 vs. SEC)
- Los Angeles Bowl (Pac-12 vs. Mountain West)
- Pinstripe Bowl (ACC vs. Big Ten)
- Quick Lane Bowl (ACC, Big Ten, MAC)
- Redbox Bowl (Big Ten vs. Pac-12)
- Sun Bowl (ACC vs. Pac-12)
The Pac-12 announced on December 3, a partnership with the SEC and the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.
