If you’re trying to plan your fall around the university of hawaii football schedule, you’ve probably noticed it feels a bit like trying to solve a puzzle while the pieces are still being carved. Being a Rainbow Warriors fan isn't just about showing up at a stadium. It’s a logistical marathon. Honestly, between the timezone math, the ongoing stadium saga at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex, and the fact that half the Mountain West is basically packin' their bags for the Pac-12, keeping track of who we play—and where—is a full-time job.
Most folks just look for a list of dates. But if you’ve actually been to a game lately, you know the "schedule" is more of a vibe.
The 2025 Reality Check: Why This Season Hits Different
The 2025 season is basically the "Last Dance" for the Mountain West as we know it. We're looking at a 12-game slate. No 13-game "Hawaii Rule" bonus this time around, which is kinda a bummer for those of us who love that extra week of football.
Here is the thing: the 2025 schedule is front-loaded with some serious heavy hitters. We start at home against Stanford on August 23. It’s the second time in three years the Cardinal have come to the islands. Last time didn't go great, but there’s a different energy around Timmy Chang’s squad lately.
After that, the team heads to Tucson to face Arizona on August 30. If you’re planning to travel, hydrate. That desert heat is no joke, even for guys used to the humid Manoa sun.
The middle of the season is where it gets interesting for local fans. We get a nice three-game homestand in September. Sam Houston (Sept 6) and Portland State (Sept 13) lead right into the Mountain West opener against Fresno State on September 20. This is the last time the Bulldogs come to town as a conference rival before they head off to the Pac-12. It’s gonna be emotional. Or at least very, very loud.
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Breaking Down the 2025 Matchups
- Aug 23: Stanford (Home) - The season opener and a massive test for the defense.
- Aug 30: at Arizona (Away) - A tough Power 4 road trip.
- Sept 6: Sam Houston (Home) - "Country Western Night" at the Ching Complex.
- Sept 13: Portland State (Home) - Homecoming. We haven't lost to an FCS team in 22 tries.
- Sept 20: Fresno State (Home) - The Battle for the Golden Screwdriver starts the MW slate.
- Sept 27: at Air Force (Away) - First trip to Colorado Springs since 2016. Bring a jacket.
- Oct 11: Utah State (Home) - Following a bye week. We need to snap that losing streak against the Aggies.
- Oct 18: at Colorado State (Away) - Another high-altitude battle in Fort Collins.
- Nov 1: at San Jose State (Away) - Playing for the Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy.
- Nov 8: San Diego State (Home) - Another "departing" MW member visiting the islands.
- Nov 22: at UNLV (Away) - The "Ninth Island" takeover. Always the biggest road crowd of the year.
- Nov 29: Wyoming (Home) - Senior Night.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 University of Hawaii Football Schedule
While 2025 is about goodbyes, the 2026 university of hawaii football schedule is all about weird new beginnings. The Mountain West is adding Northern Illinois (NIU) and UTEP. If you told me five years ago we’d be playing NIU in a conference game, I would’ve asked what you were drinking.
In 2026, the Warriors host Air Force, New Mexico, San Jose State, and UNLV.
On the flip side, the road games are... adventurous. We have to go to DeKalb, Illinois to play NIU. That’s a long flight. We also head to UTEP in El Paso, which rekindles an old WAC rivalry from back in the day. The non-conference schedule is already locked in too: a road game at Stanford (Aug 29), home against New Mexico State (Sept 12), a road trip to Arizona State (Sept 19), and a late-season home game against UMass on November 28.
The Stadium Situation: Don't Get Lost
Look, we have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the stadium that isn't there.
Aloha Stadium is being demolished as we speak. It’s a sad sight if you grew up watching the Pro Bowl there. The "New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District" (NASED) is supposedly coming in 2029, but until then, we are cozy (read: cramped) at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
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Capacity is around 15,000. That’s tiny for FBS football.
Because of the limited seating, tickets for the 2025 and 2026 home games are basically gold. If you’re looking at the university of hawaii football schedule hoping to just "walk up" to the gate on game day, you're gonna have a bad time. You've basically got to be on the Spectrum Sports app or the Hawaii Athletics site the second they drop.
How to Actually Watch the Games
If you aren't at the Ching Complex, watching the Warriors is a unique experience.
Spectrum Sports Hawaii still carries the bulk of the local games. If you’re on the mainland, you’re usually looking at the Team1Sports app, which is free but sometimes feels like it's running on a potato. For the bigger games, like the season opener against Stanford, keep an eye on CBS or FS1.
Kansei Matsuzawa, our consensus All-American kicker, is basically a human highlight reel. Even if the offense stalls, watching him work is worth the price of admission.
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What You Should Do Next
If you’re serious about following the Warriors this year, don't just bookmark a PDF of the schedule.
- Download the H-Pass: If you live on Oahu, the H-Pass is usually the best value for getting into the Ching Complex without paying individual game markups.
- Check the Kickoff Times: Hawaii games often start at 6:00 PM HT. For East Coast fans, that’s midnight. Prepare your caffeine accordingly.
- Book the Vegas Trip Early: The UNLV game on November 22, 2025, will sell out the visitor section fast. If you're going to the "Ninth Island," get your flights now.
The Mountain West is changing, and the stadium is a work in progress, but the university of hawaii football schedule remains one of the most unique grinds in college sports. Between the travel miles and the late-night island vibes, there’s nothing else like it.
Keep an eye on the 2026 non-conference dates as they get finalized, especially that trip to Tempe. ASU in September is a different kind of challenge. For now, focus on the Stanford opener. It’s going to set the tone for everything that follows.
Actionable Insight: Double-check the Mountain West app for late-season 2025 flex scheduling. With several teams leaving the conference, TV networks often move Hawaii games to Friday nights or adjust kickoff times with only 12 days' notice to maximize viewership for the "departing" schools.