Magic Johnson is the latest athlete to be Rose Parade grand marshal. Here's what to know
A Lakers legend mints a New Year's tradition from Pasadena, becoming the most recent athlete to serve as Rose Parade grand marshal.
No. 32 for the Los Angeles Lakers is about to lead No. 137 for the Tournament of Roses. Earvin “Magic” Johnson galvanized Inglewood crowds during his NBA playing days, and he’ll pace Pasadena through the annual Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. The Hall of Fame point guard and L.A. luminary is the grand marshal for the 2026 festivities.
Johnson is the latest pro athlete to accept the honor, and his duties conclude during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game between Alabama and Indiana at the Rose Bowl. Here’s what viewers should know.
How to watch the 2026 Rose Parade
- Location: Pasadena, Calif.
- Time: 11 a.m. ET, Thursday
- TV: ABC, Fox, NBC, CNN, Great American Family, Telemundo, Univision (national); KTLA (in market)
- Streaming: Fubo Sports Network (Stream Free Now)
ABC, Fox and Great American Family are currently available on Fubo. ABC, Fox and NBC are also available for free over the air.
Known as “America’s New Year celebration,” the Rose Parade program dates back to 1890 and is shown across major television networks. It includes marching bands, horseback riders and floral floats, with a network of community volunteers (“White Suiters”) maintaining the operations. Johnson was officially announced as grand marshal on Oct. 8. Fittingly, this year’s tagline is “The Magic in Teamwork,” though there’s also an underlying recovery effort in the wake of the Eaton and Palisades fires.
Last year’s grand marshal was also pulled from the sporting world. Billie Jean King, the all-time tennis great with 39 Grand Slam titles, marshaled a 2025 theme of “Best Day Ever!” U.S. Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez was one of three selected in 2020. And a trio of Olympians — sprinter Allyson Felix, swimmer Janet Evans and diver Greg Louganis — led the 2017 ceremony.
For the 2015 parade, Olympian and World War II hero Louis Zamperini was chosen as grand marshal two months before he died in July 2014. He was still honored during the parade, where he was represented by his family. A year prior, Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully was the 2014 grand marshal in one of the most memorable recent turns. As expected, his golden voice was suited for such responsibilities.