COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2026
PROVEN ONCE AGAIN
Nick Carparelli Reflects on Ratings Growth, Player Experience and the Future of the Postseason
B
owl Season writer Kevin McNamara caught
This year we saw television ratings increase 13
up with executive director Nick Carparelli at
percent over the prior year and up 25 percent in the
the end of this year’s bowl schedule to discuss
past two years. This came during the first two years of
several important topics ranging from the health
the expanded College Football Playoff where a lot of
of existing bowls, the
people felt the interest in
growth of the College
bowl games was going to
Football Playoff and the
decline. Clearly that was
seemingly insatiable
not the case.
demand for post-season While the CFP
college football.
deservedly catches It looks like this Bowl
the eyes of the sports
Season was another
world, what are those
success on many fronts.
naysayers missing?
Television ratings and
CARPARELLI: The
interest were clearly on
bowl system continues
the rise and trending
to provide great
upwards. NICK CARPARELLI: It seems that every year
Celebrating the first season of the Coca-Cola and Bowl Season partnership.
there are questions
opportunities for a larger number of institutions and football programs and it’s also proving to
about the value of the Bowl Season and then once
continue to be very, very valuable. The TV partners
Bowl Season is over the value is proven pretty clearly.
are obviously pleased, but the value of these games COCA-COLA BOWL SEASON | January 2026
1