Led by island legend and fifth-year head coach Timmy Chang, the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors have more momentum than they’ve had in years. The team is coming off a 9-4 season capped by a dramatic Hawaiʻi Bowl win over Cal.
That breakthrough raised expectations after several uneven seasons, giving the Warriors something meaningful to build on after their first nine-win campaign since 2019. I’m curious to see whether Chang and company can turn last year’s success into something more sustainable.
The viewing setup looks different this season, too. Seven games are slated for national TV on ACC Network, The CW, and FOX networks, while four others will stream on MW+. Fans in Hawaii can also watch select home games free on K5 (KFVE), Hawaii News Now’s local broadcast channel.
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2026 Hawaii football TV schedule
Coming off last season’s bowl victory, the University of Hawaiʻi enters a challenging 2026 schedule featuring road tests at Stanford and Arizona State. It also includes matchups against new Mountain West football members NIU, UTEP, and North Dakota State.
Mountain West play once again highlights Hawaii’s unique geographic challenge, with several long road trips built into the conference schedule. The table below tracks the latest Rainbow Warriors kickoff times and TV channels, with additional broadcast details added as they’re announced.
CFB - Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
At Stanford Cardinal | Saturday, August 29 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
New Mexico State Aggies | Saturday, Sept. 12 | 11:59 p.m. | MW+ |
At Wyoming Cowboys | Saturday, Sept. 26 | 3:00 p.m. | |
San José State Spartans | Saturday, Oct. 3 | 11:59 p.m. | MW+ |
Saturday, Oct. 10 | TBD | TBD | |
New Mexico Lobos | Saturday, Oct. 17 | TBD | TBD |
At Northern Illinois Huskies | Saturday, Oct. 24 | TBD | MW+ |
At UTEP Miners | Saturday, Nov. 7 | TBD | TBD |
North Dakota State Bison | Saturday, Nov. 14 | 11:59 p.m. | |
At Nevada Wolf Pack | Saturday, Nov. 21 | TBD | TBD |
Sacramento State Hornets | Saturday, Nov. 28 | 11:00 p.m. | MW+ |
Best TV plans for watching Hawaii football
Watching Hawaii football is simpler in 2026, but you’ll still need more than one service to cover every matchup. Most nationally televised games will air on ACC Network, The CW, or FOX channels, so a comprehensive live TV service is the best place to start.
MW+ streams Hawaii games that aren’t selected for national TV for viewers in Hawaii and on the mainland. For Hawaii News Now-produced home games, local fans can also watch free statewide on K5, with the same broadcasts available to MW+ subscribers.
Best Overall
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) carries key national channels including ACC Network, The CW, FOX, FS1, ESPN, and TNT. K5 is also available through YouTube TV for local viewers, making it a strong foundation for most of the schedule.
Exclusive Games
MW+ carries Rainbow Warriors games that aren’t selected for national TV. Plans cost $10.99 per month or $79.99 per year, but nationally televised games aren’t included.
Best Free Local Option
If you live on the islands, you can watch select home games free over the air on K5, including KFVE channel 6.1 in areas it serves. You’ll still need another service for games on cable channels or exclusive to MW+.
How to watch Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football FAQ
Where can I watch Hawaii football for free?
Fans in Hawaii can watch select Rainbow Warriors home games for free on K5 with a digital antenna. Depending on your location, games airing on broadcast networks such as The CW may also be available over the air, but other matchups require a paid TV or streaming service.
Can I watch Hawaii football on MW+?
Yes, MW+ is an important part of the Rainbow Warriors' streaming lineup — especially for games that don't receive a national TV assignment. On-demand replays are also available after live broadcasts end.
Where can I stream Hawaii football games if I don't have cable?
YouTube TV is my preferred live TV option for Hawaii football because it carries the key national channels in the schedule. Pair it with MW+ to fill in games that don't receive a national TV assignment, and you're all set for the season.
How do I watch Hawaii football if I live out of state?
Out-of-state fans can use a live TV streaming service for nationally televised Rainbow Warriors games. MW+ handles many of the remaining matchups and works across web, mobile, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and other supported devices.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, cross-referenced the official Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football schedule from Hawaiʻi Athletics with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, he selected our viewing recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use.
This guide is updated regularly throughout the season to ensure our information is accurate. To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
