How To Watch the Hawaii Bowl
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Sports Editor Taylor Kujawa, our resident TV expert with over eight years of covering sports.
Get ready for the 2025 Hawaii Bowl
For me, the holiday season doesn’t officially peak until I’m watching football played in paradise while wrapping last-minute gifts. The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl is a unique Christmas Eve tradition that serves as the ultimate nightcap for the pre-Christmas bowl slate. Played in Honolulu, this game typically features a matchup between the Mountain West and Conference USA, bringing together teams that are happy to trade mainland winters for island humidity.
Because of the relaxed atmosphere, these games have a reputation for starting slow and ending in absolute chaos. It’s often the only live sporting event on TV that night, meaning you’ll be watching alongside every other die-hard fan in the country. If you want to see which team handles the “island time” distraction best, you’ll need to know where to tune in.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the 2025 Hawaii Bowl. I’ve broken down the exact channel info and the best streaming plans below.
What channel shows the Hawaii Bowl?
You can watch the 2025 Hawaii Bowl live on ESPN. Coverage begins on Wednesday, December 24, at 8:00 p.m. ET, which is a breezy 3:00 p.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Time.
If you prefer streaming, the game is also available on the ESPN app with an eligible login. This is a lifesaver if the main living room TV is already booked for a marathon of holiday movies. Plus, you can always stream classic Christmas movies once the game wraps up.
Best TV plans for watching the Hawaii Bowl
Since this game is on ESPN, you need a pay-TV provider or a specific streaming subscription. A digital antenna won’t work here.
For the best overall experience, I recommend Hulu + Live TV. It bundles ESPN with virtually every other channel you need for bowl season, plus it includes ESPN Select and Disney+ at no extra cost. That means you get the Hawaii Bowl broadcast alongside a massive library of movies and shows.
If you are looking to save money for holiday shopping, Sling TV‘s Orange plan is your best budget live TV service. It’s significantly cheaper than Hulu + Live TV and gets you the essential ESPN channels. Alternatively, the new standalone ESPN Unlimited streaming subscription is a solid choice if you strictly want sports without the lifestyle channels.
How to watch the Hawaii Bowl FAQ
How can I watch the Hawaii Bowl for free?
Since the Hawaii Bowl is on ESPN, you can’t watch it with a digital antenna. Your best free viewing option is to sign up for a free trial from a live TV streaming service like Fubo or YouTube TV.
Can I stream the Hawaii Bowl on the ESPN app?
Yes, you can stream the game on the ESPN app by logging in with an existing TV provider account or by subscribing to ESPN Unlimited.
Where is the Hawaii Bowl played?
The Hawaii Bowl takes place in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Aloha Stadium used to host the bowl game, but the venue ceased hosting major events in 2020 ahead of its planned demolition in 2026.
What conferences play in the Hawaii Bowl?
The game features a tie-in between the Mountain West Conference and Conference USA.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team researched the Hawaii Bowl’s official broadcast rights and cross-referenced them with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. We then selected our viewing recommendations based on our hands-on testing, identifying the most cost-effective and straightforward ways for you to watch the game.
To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
