The Polynesian Bowl, one of the top high school football all-star games in the country, is set to hold the game on a new O‘ahu location.
The game has been held on an annual basis on O‘ahu since 2017, with the exception of 2021, which was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Aloha Stadium was the site from 2017 to 2020, while Kamehameha's Kunuiakea Stadium hosted from 2022 to 2025.
In 2026, the University of Hawai‘i's Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex will host the game for the first time. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16. It will also once again be televised nationally on NFL Network.
"It's really exciting, because this is the best roster we've ever had. It continually gets better when you watch NFL games on Sundays, and you see how many Polynesian Bowl alumni are actually playing in those games," Polynesian Bowl Director of Football Rich Miano told Aloha State Daily. "You start to realize this game, what its origins were and where it is now in terms of players, in terms of it being at (UH-Mānoa) with the best venue in the state of Hawai‘i, things continue to get bigger and better as we continue to do this thing."
Come Jan. 16, an action-packed day is promised on the UH-Mānoa campus. The No. 2 Hawai‘i men's volleyball team will play Rockhurst at 11 a.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center, followed by Roberts Wesleyan at 7 p.m. The Polynesian Bowl is sandwiched between the two matches at 4 p.m., making for a potentially hectic day on lower campus.
Since its inception in 2017, the game has attracted the best players in the country. Although the selection committee prioritizes players with Polynesian descent, as well as 25 of the best high school football players in Hawai‘i, the rest of the roster is filled with the rest of the country's best players.
Past rosters have featured future NFL standouts in Tua Tagovailoa, Penei Sewell, Tetairoa McMillan, and Travis Hunter, who went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024.
The 2026 Polynesian Bowl roster can be viewed at this link.
After arriving on Sunday, players will spend the week on O‘ahu for a week of daily practices and activations that includes a tour of Pearl Harbor, an afternoon at the Polynesian Cultural Center, community service at Shriner's Children's hospital and free time at Waikīkī Beach.
Polynesian Bowl showcase
While the Polynesian Bowl game is reserved for the country's best players, other high schoolers in Hawai‘i will get an opportunity to showcase their talents. On Saturday, Jan. 10, the Polynesian Bowl showcase will be held at Punahou's Alexander Field. Offensive lineman and defensive lineman will compete from 2:30 to 4 p.m., while skill players will go from 4 to 6 p.m. The showcase is free for players from Hawai‘i in the Class of 2026 and 2027, and players will also receive a free T-shirt and lunch. Players can register for the showcase through their Hawai‘i high school head coaches.
Coaches from the NCAA Division II and III level, as well as from the NAIA and junior college ranks are invited to attend. Expenses will be covered for coaches who are there to evaluate and potentially offer scholarships and financial aid to student-athletes.
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
