How the floats are made and judged
- Every inch of a float is covered in flowers or natural materials such as leaves, seeds and bark. Roses go one by one into vials of water.
- Some floats come from professional builders; others are built by volunteers, such as the Cal Poly universities.
- Judges score design, floral presentation and entertainment value. Twenty-four awards are given, and winners carry banners along the route.
- The top award, the Sweepstakes Trophy, goes to the most beautiful entry overall.
History
The first parade was held in 1890, with flower-decorated carriages. Motorised floats replaced horse-drawn ones around 1920.
Sweepstakes Trophy
| Year | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Cal Poly Universities | 'Jungle Jumpstart', the first self-built float to win the Sweepstakes |
| 2025 | San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance | 'Friendship Across the Earth' |
| 2024 | San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance | 'It All Started With a Roar' |
Photos
Photo: Region 5 Photography, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Region 5 Photography, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
- Tournament of Roses: about the parade
- Tournament of Roses: history
- Tournament of Roses: 2027 theme
- Cal Poly: Sweepstakes award 2026
- Times of San Diego: 2025 Sweepstakes
Checked November 2026. Dates and rules change, so check the official site before you travel or enter.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}