Today, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® announced the 23 floats awarded official honors in the 137th Rose Parade® presented by Honda. These awards recognize excellence in a variety of categories and specifications.
South Pasadena Rose Parade Float Wins the ‘Past President Award’ on a historic, rare, rainy new years day with hundreds of thousands in attendance on the parade route in Pasadena. “Most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials”
The 2026 Sweepstakes trophy, the most beautiful entry: encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment, was presented to Cal Poly Universities. This is the seventh time a self-built float has been honored with the Sweepstakes Trophy and the first time for Cal Poly Universities. Since 1924, the Tournament of Roses has recognized one participant with the Sweepstakes Award for the most beautiful entry, encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment.
The 2026 Rose Parade float award-winners are (alphabetically):
| Award | Description | Participant | Builder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americana | Most outstanding depiction of national treasures and traditions | Travel South Dakota | AES |
| Animation | Most outstanding use of animation | Kindness is Free (Powered by Boys & Girls Clubs of WSGV&E) | AES |
| Bob Hope Humor | Most whimsical and amusing float | City of Alhambra | Phoenix |
| Crown City Innovator | Most outstanding use of imagination, innovation and technology | Shrinking (Apple TV and Warner Bros. Television) | Phoenix |
| Director | Most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral materials | The UPS Store | AES |
| Extraordinaire | Most extraordinary float | San Francisco Travel Association | Fiesta |
| Fantasy | Most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination | Rising Together | AES |
| Founder | Most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization | Downey Rose Float Association | Self |
| Golden State | Most outstanding depiction of life in California | Odd Fellows & Rebekahs | Phoenix |
| Grand Marshal | Most outstanding creative concept and float design | San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance | AES |
| International | Most outstanding float from outside the United States | XXXX | XXXX |
| Isabella Coleman | Most outstanding presentation of color and color harmony through floral design | Elks U.S.A. | Phoenix |
| Judges | Most outstanding float design and dramatic impact | Sierra Madre Rose Float Association | Self |
| Leishman Public Spirit | Most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant | America250 | Fiesta |
| Mayor | Most outstanding float from a participating city | La Cañada Flintridge | Self |
| Past President | Most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials | City of South Pasadena | Self |
| President | Most outstanding use and presentation of flowers | OneLegacy Donate Life | AES |
| Princess | Most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length | City of Torrance | Fiesta |
| Queen | Most outstanding presentation of roses | City of Santa Fe Springs | Phoenix |
| Showmanship | Most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment | Shriner Children’s | Phoenix |
| Sweepstakes | Most beautiful entry, encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment | Cal Poly Universities | Self |
| Theme | Most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade Theme | City of Burbank | Self |
| Tournament Volunteer | Most outstanding floral presentation of the Rose Parade Theme among floats 35 feet and under in length | Lions International | Phoenix |
| Wrigley Legacy | Most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment | Trader Joe’s | Phoenix |
Scores are based on criteria such as creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation, and dramatic impact.
This year’s judges – Doris Hardoon, Cathy Hillen-Rulloda and Chaz Perea – reviewed each float during judging sessions that take place during the decorating stages before the parade. The judges used their scores from the judging sessions to determine the trophy recipients. Banners for each award-winning float will be carried in the parade by select members of the Tournament of Roses Troop, which includes Gold Award Girl Scouts and Eagle Scouts.
FTD® is the official floral partner of the Tournament of Roses. The iconic American company has been a valued partner of the Rose Parade for more than 60 years. FTD® brings their exquisite floral vision to life on the antique cars used in the Rose Parade which carry the Rose Parade VIPs down Colorado Blvd., including the Grand Marshal, Tournament of Roses President, Mayor of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Inductees. FTD® is also the sponsor of the Rose Parade Float Awards.
