HONOLULU – The 23rd annual Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl will be played on Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026, at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus.

The game will kick off at 2 p.m. HT/7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Conference affiliations for the matchup will be set at a later date. Tickets are expected to go on sale later this summer.

The Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl is known for high-scoring, thrilling offensive performances and close games. Last year’s contest was no exception, as the hometown Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors delivered a spectacular 35-31 victory over the California Golden Bears. In a true Christmas Eve miracle, the Rainbow Warriors erased a 21-point first-half deficit, tying the largest comeback in program history.

The victory was sealed when backup quarterback Luke Weaver threw a 22-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with just 10 seconds remaining to electrify the sold-out crowd. Starting quarterback Micah Alejado orchestrated the bulk of the comeback, passing for 274 yards and three touchdowns while Hawai'i Bowl MVP Pofele Ashlock hauled in 14 receptions for 123 yards and two critical touchdowns.

Last year’s game was played in front of over 15,000 fans at a sold-out Ching Complex while drawing 2.7 million viewers across all platforms on ESPN. The viewership numbers marked a 40 percent increase over the 2024 game while making it the most-watched Hawai‘i Bowl since 2013.

In addition to promoting the island way of life by sponsoring events intrinsic to Hawai‘i, the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl supports many non-profit organizations through the Hawai‘i Bowl Foundation. More than $1 million has been awarded to local charities since the inception of the Hawai‘i Bowl Foundation. Additionally, through the Extra Yard for Teachers program, the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl has partnered with Teach for America Hawai’i to support teachers, schools and students.

Ching Complex will play host to the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl for the fifth consecutive year while the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District is being completed. Aloha Stadium, the former home of the bowl game, hosted the event annually from 2002 to 2019.

The bowl game was created in 2002 after the hometown University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors finished the 2001 season with a 9-3 record and were not invited to a bowl game. UH has participated in the bowl a record 10 times.

About ESPN Events

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In the 2025-26 academic year, the 35-event schedule included three early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events, two college volleyball events, the premiere regular season college softball and gymnastics events, as well as the Band of the Year National Championship. Collectively, these events accounted for over 400 hours of live programming on ESPN platforms, reaching 60 million viewers and attracting more than 650,000 annual attendees. Each year, the portfolio of events features more than 20 Division I conferences and hosts over 4,000 participating student-athletes. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.

About Sheraton® Hotels & Resorts

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts makes it easy for guests to feel welcome at over 425 hotels and resorts in 70 countries and territories around the world. As the most global brand within Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of extraordinary hotel brands sitting at the center of hundreds of communities around the world, Sheraton has a rich heritage in creating a sense of belonging for guests, wherever they are in the world. Sheraton is currently undergoing a major brand transformation, creating a signature community experience for the next generation of travelers and locals alike at properties across the globe. The new vision for Sheraton features intuitive design, tech-forward experiences, and upgrades to everything from public space and F&B to flexible meeting space. For more information, please visit www.sheraton.com,and stay connected on Facebook, and @sheratonhotels on X and Instagram. Sheraton is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

About Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort

Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort is an oceanfront resort located steps from renowned Waikiki Beach, and moments away from the area's top attractions, upscale shopping, family activities and exotic natural destinations, including Diamond Head crater. After a day spent exploring, relax in one of the resort's beautifully designed outdoor pools, pamper yourself with soothing spa treatments or dine at one of four on-site restaurants. In the evening, retreat to spacious newly-renovated beachfront accommodations, an open-air lanai and spectacular views. If visiting for event-planning reasons, take advantage of our resort's 16 contemporary meeting rooms featuring state-of-the-art audiovisual technology.

About Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP

Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP is a long-standing owner and steward of six landmark hotels and resorts across Hawai‘i and California. Its portfolio includes some of the most iconic properties in hospitality: the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa – the first hotel in Waikiki; The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort – affectionately known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific”; and San Francisco’s Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, celebrating 150 years of timeless elegance. Kyo-ya also owns the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Waikiki Beach, which recently completed a major renovation of its Ainahau Tower. The company has invested more than $150 million in recent years to enhance and preserve its Waikiki portfolio. Deeply committed to honoring the legacy of its properties, Kyo-ya continues to invest in the future of hospitality, preserving cultural integrity, supporting local communities through the Kyo-ya Hotels Foundation, and helping ensure Hawaii and San Francisco remain world-class destinations for generations to come.

About Collections of Waikīkī

Collections of Waikīkī is a thoughtfully-curated boutique shopping center featuring over 60 retailers and spas spanning four iconic resorts-- Sheraton Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, and Princess Kaiulani. Just steps away from the shoreline, this shopping experience encapsulates what it feels like when world-class resort destinations meet vibrant culture, couture, and charm. For more information, visit collectionsofwaikiki.com.