Aloha Stadium is expecting a large crowd for Friday’s state championship football games, urging fans to get their tickets early.
Iolani and Lahainaluna will kick off at 4:30 p.m., followed by Mililani and Punahou.
The Stadium’s media relations department sent out a release on Thursday saying they expect to exceed 25,000 paying customers, beating the 20,934 who watched the games last year. Here are the stadium’s recommendations:
“The Main Parking Gate 1 and 3 will open to the public at 3:00 p.m. North Kam Gate 2 and Lower Salt Lake Gate 4 will open at 6:00 p.m. Tailgating will be allowed with the following guidelines: 1) Limited to ONE stall (including tables and chairs); 2) No open flames; 3) No Alcohol; 4) No Tents; 5) No Saving of Stalls. Turnstile Gate 1 & 4 will open to the public at 3:30 p.m. followed by Turnstile Gate 5 & 8 opening at 6:00 p.m.
Fans can avoid long lines at the Box Office by purchasing tickets at any First Hawaiian Bank (while supplies last) during regular business hours or on game day at the Stadium Main Box Office starting at 9:00 am. Satellite Box Offices 5 & 8 will open at 6:00pm. Cash only for all ticket purchases.
For all the latest traffic updates follow the Aloha Stadium via Facebook (Aloha Stadium Hawaii), Twitter (@AlohaStadiumHI), call the Aloha Stadium at (808) 483-2500 or visit www.alohastadium.hawaii.gov for more information.”
The most popular Prep Bowl was Waianae’s 14-6 win over Kamehameha in 1978, a fracas witnessed by 32,812 people. Punahou was involved in the state championship game with the most attendance, beating Leilehua 38-7 in front of 25,571.
The first state title game was the one with the lowest attendance, with the HHSAA reporting a crowd of only 10,864 when Saint Louis shut out Kahuku 19-0 at Aloha Stadium. Every Oahu Prep Bowl and state championship game has been held at Aloha Stadium except the first two Prep Bowls, which took place at Honolulu Stadium.
Below is a line chart of the attendance for every Oahu Prep Bowl and state championship game:
The HHSAA could’ve helped ticket lines by allowing youth tickets to also be sold at the bank. Anyone with a family (ie. most fans) HAS to stand in line at the stadium to get tix for their kids.
DUMB.