Why is IMG Academy our Preseason High School Football No. 1?
USA TODAY Sports national high school sports reporters Logan Newman and Alex Martin break it down.
- The 2026 high school football season begins in Hawaii on August 7, a week before any mainland state.
- Favorable weather allows Hawaii’s academic year and sports programs to start in early August.
- Games are split between Fridays and Saturdays to accommodate officials and allow for junior varsity doubleheaders.
- The Hawaii state championships are scheduled for November 27 and 28.
Opening night for the 2026 high school football season has arrived.
Well, at least for one state. While the mainland United States will not kick off for at least another week, the 2026 season is getting underway in Hawaii.
The HHSAA begins its season on Friday, Aug. 7, with a trio of games, with defending Open Division champion Campbell headlining the opening weekend. Campbell takes on Waipahu on the road. A slew of more games are scheduled for Saturday.
Hawaii opens its season a full week before Alaska and Nevada kick off their seasons on Aug. 14, while Georgia begins on Aug. 15. In comparison, Connecticut begins its 2026 season on Sept. 11.
“HHSAA structures our interscholastic athletic calendar to accommodate three full sports seasons, concluding in early May prior to commencement ceremonies,” HHSAA executive director Chris Chun told USA TODAY Sports. “In Hawaii, we are fortunate to enjoy favorable weather conditions year-round, allowing our academic year and fall programs to begin in early August.”
That means Hawaii begins its football season well before most states allow schools to open practices for the season.
With football being a contact sport, there is an allotted number of practices required for players before they are eligible to play. Hawaii high schools were allowed to begin practicing on July 20.
“In accordance with safety protocols, HHSAA implements a mandatory 14-calendar-day heat acclimatization period before games begin,” Chun said. “Starting the fall season at this time facilitates a seamless transition for student-athletes into winter sports with minimal disruption to their academic and athletic schedules.”
Opening night, which falls on a Friday, will feature just three games. However, there are 10 games on Saturday. That will be the case for the majority of the season, to accommodate the schedules of officials and the student-athletes.
“The game schedule is split between Friday and Saturday primarily to accommodate officiating crew availability and to allow enough field time for Junior Varsity doubleheaders,” Chun said. “Additionally, since local kickoff times don’t conflict with mainland college football broadcasts due to the Hawaii time difference, splitting the games across both days gives each team proper coverage and field resources without overlapping.”
While the HHSAA playoff start dates vary by league, the state championships are scheduled for Nov. 27 and 28 for the 2026 season.
In the Open Division, the Campbell Sabres look to repeat, as will Kailua in Division I. Meanwhile, in Division II, Kamehameha-Maui will look to complete the three-peat.
