After gift-giving festivities wrap up, San Diegans have another seasonal event waiting to kick off: the 44th annual DIRECTV Holiday Bowl. On Wednesday, Dec. 27, the University of Louisville Cardinals will face the University of Southern California Trojans at 5 p.m.

Much like last year, Petco Park will swap its baseball diamond for a gridiron and increase audience capacity to ~50,000. This transformation is part of the ballpark's 5-year agreement, signed in 2021, to host the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl. If something about this sounds unfamiliar, it's the title sponsor; San Diego County Credit Union held that role from 2017 to 2022.

DIRECTV waves hello to the Holiday Bowl. | Photo via @seaneloriverad9

You may be wondering, why isn't a San Diego team playing? The selection process has many steps, but the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl features teams from the Atlantic Coast and the Pac-12 conferences. No San Diego universities are full members of either — the SDSU Aztecs are in the Mountain West conference.

Balloons and surf boards — seems like a San Diego celebration. | Photos courtesy of David Frerker, DIRECTV Holiday Bowl

Join 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:

Tuesday, Dec. 26, 5-7 p.m. | The Snapdragon Bowl Bash brings a battle of the bands to the Gaslamp Quarter.
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 10 a.m. | The San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade presented by Kaiser Permanente — billed as "America’s Largest Balloon Parade" — marches down North Harbor Drive.
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 5 p.m. | The 2023 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl kicks off, followed by the booming 101.5 KGB Sky Show — tickets are still available.

The events tend to bring big crowds, so the MTS Trolley is offering services to and from the festivities. If you're staying home for the Holiday Bowl, the game will be broadcast on FOX.