Why are there multiple bowl games?
Many reasons. First, bowls are popular for host communities. Even with 32 current bowls, more communities have expressed interest in hosting a game. One reason, despite what some in the media would have you believe, is that bowl games are more popular than ever with record overall attendance and TV viewer ship. Of course the newer bowls don’t expect to be compared with the Rose Bowl as they host teams ranked considerably lower and are typically played in smaller stadiums, however conferences want a large number of bowls to provide opportunities for more schools and players to participate in the bowls and receive the benefits that brings to their schools — Benefits that go far beyond the financials. The NCAA certifies the bowls each year and approves applications for new bowls who meet a set of established criteria. Of course at some point a threshold must be set so as not to dilute the system and the FBA is working with the NCAA on this matter.
