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Fiesta Sports Foundation

Nikki Bella Grand Marshal Announcement Photo

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Fiesta Sports Foundation Names WWE Superstar Nikki Bella as Grand Marshal of the 2025–26 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe

Scottsdale Native, WWE Hall of Fame Member Returns Home to Lead State’s Largest Parade

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (December 10, 2025) – Leading into the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, WWE® Superstar, television personality, entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author Nikki Bella will serve as Grand Marshal for the 53rd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, taking place Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 10 a.m. in Central Phoenix.
 
Bella is one of the most recognizable women in sports entertainment. A two-time WWE Divas Champion, she holds the record as the longest-reigning Divas Champion in WWE history, helping her become one of the most influential female athletes and earn induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021.
 
Raised in Arizona and a graduate of Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Bella excelled as a soccer player and a rodeo champion before embarking on a professional career at WWE in 2007 that would make her a global star. Bella has remained deeply connected to Arizona throughout her life, frequently returning for community initiatives, philanthropic work and family ties.
 
The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe Grand Marshal honors an individual or group whose actions align with the Fiesta Sports Foundation's commitment to driving economic growth, championing charitable causes and executing innovative experiences.
 
"Nikki Bella embodies strength, resilience, entertainment and heart – all qualities that resonate deeply with our community and with what this parade represents," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. "Her Arizona upbringing and extraordinary career make her an inspiring choice to lead this year's celebration, and we look forward to welcoming fans as she brings her superstar energy to Central Phoenix."
 
Outside the ring, Bella has built a multifaceted career that has established her as a cultural icon. She starred in the hit reality series Total Divas and Total Bellas, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. As an entrepreneur, she has launched multiple lifestyle and beauty ventures, created her own wine label and continued to champion female empowerment and business leadership. She is also a New York Times best-selling author and co-host of The Nikki & Brie Show podcast for SiriusXM.
 
"Being named Grand Marshal of the Fiesta Bowl Parade is such an incredible honor – and being able to celebrate with the state that helped shape who I am makes it even more special," Bella said. "I am so excited to join everyone in Arizona to create lifelong memories at the Parade and into the CFP Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl festivities."
 
Bella joins a list of previous Fiesta Bowl Parade grand marshals including Charles Barkley, Jerry Colangelo, Alice Cooper, Richard Jefferson, Randy Johnson, Al McCoy, Jake Plummer, Anthony Robles, Kerri Strug, Diana Taurasi and more.

Recognized as one of the state's highest-attended single-day events annually, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe features larger-than-life balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, community groups and more. The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe will be broadcast live on Arizona's Family 3TV and statewide across its digital platforms on Saturday, January 6. Admission is free to the public.
 
"Nikki's rise from Scottsdale to the global stage is a powerful inspiration for women everywhere and we are thrilled to have such a proud Arizonan leading our Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Board Chair Judy Bernas. "This year's Fiesta Bowl Parade is one of our most vibrant celebrations yet, bringing the best of Arizona to life for fans lining the streets and those watching from home."
 
For details on attendance, participation or sponsorship opportunities, visit FiestaSportsFoundation.org/Parade.
 
ABOUT THE FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION
Since 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.

ABOUT Vrbo
In 1995, Vrbo introduced a new way for people to travel together, pairing homeowners with families and friends looking for places to stay. We were grounded in one purpose: To give people the space they need to drop the distractions of everyday life and simply be together. Since then, we've grown into a global community of homeowners and travelers, with unique properties around the world. Vrbo makes it easy and fun to book cabins, condos, beach houses and every kind of space in between. Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers homeowners and property managers exposure to over 750 million visits to Expedia Group sites each month. To learn more, visit www.vrbo.com.

ABOUT LERNER & ROWE INJURY ATTORNEYS
Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys is a powerhouse law firm in representing personal injury clients. Attorneys Glen Lerner and Kevin Rowe have grown their law firm into one of the largest personal injury firms in the country, with over 50 attorneys and nearly 400 support employees located in Arizona, Indiana, Illinois, Nevada, California, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Alabama, and Tennessee. The law firm's reputation for excellence can be attributed to the high levels of respect, dignity, and customer service shown to victims and family members hurt in an accident.
 
For those injured outside one of the previously listed states, Lerner and Rowe has an established network of attorneys across the country, ready to help. The firm takes pride in nourishing these relationships, as they know a personal injury attorney can make all the difference in obtaining fair compensation for the pain and suffering inflicted upon the victims of tortious conduct.
 
For more information about Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys, please call (602) 977-1900. To connect with the law firm socially, follow Lerner and Rowe on TwitterInstagram, and TikTok, or become a fan of its Facebook page. Also, visit lernerandrowegivesback.com to learn more about the many other community services that the lawyers and legal support team of Lerner and Rowe actively support.
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Judy Bernas

#71 Judy Bernas

Freshman

Players Mentioned

Judy Bernas

#71 Judy Bernas

Freshman