Image Source: Wisconsin State Journal
Peter Berg is bringing a powerful piece of Wisconsin football history to the screen with “The Mosquito Bowl,” a World War II drama centered on two former University of Wisconsin stars. The film is playing in theaters and is scheduled to begin streaming on Netflix Nov. 25, 2026.
In Madison, the movie’s arrival has prompted a striking transformation at the Kollege Klub, the longtime bar at the corner of North Lake and Langdon streets. The venue is being redesigned as a 1940s-era tavern, complete with vintage decorations, period radios, old-fashioned displays, football memorabilia and photographs connected to the film.
A powerful Peter Berg story rooted in Badgers history
Directed by Peter Berg, “The Mosquito Bowl” is based on author Buzz Bissinger’s nonfiction book about a wartime football game played on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. The story follows young American football players who joined the military and found themselves serving together in the Pacific.
Among the central figures are Dave Schreiner and Bob Baumann, former Wisconsin football players whose athletic achievements were followed by extraordinary military service. Schreiner, a Lancaster native, was a two-time All-American for the Badgers. Baumann played offensive tackle on Wisconsin’s 1942 team and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1943.
Both men became members of the 5th Marine Division. They were among a group of former college football players who took part in the Christmas Eve 1942 football game that inspired the title. The contest offered a brief escape from military life, but the players soon returned to combat.
Schreiner and Baumann were killed in action only weeks apart. Their stories form the emotional foundation of the film, which connects college football, military service, friendship and the devastating human cost of war.
Kollege Klub unveils an immersive WWII tribute
The temporary display at the Kollege Klub gives Madison residents a chance to see the story beyond the movie screen. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Netflix event producers and local partners have filled parts of the bar with props and visual details inspired by the film.
- Photographs of Schreiner, Baumann and other former players
- Movie costumes and football uniforms
- Vintage radios and period advertisements
- Authentic-looking locker room and tavern decorations
- Film props connected to the Guadalcanal storyline
One display includes the uniform worn by the actor portraying Schreiner. The locker is positioned near the bar’s DJ booth and across from jerseys honoring former Wisconsin hockey players Bob Suter and Tony Granato, creating a visual connection between Badgers history across multiple sports.
Jason Klein, an event producer for Netflix, helped coordinate the installation, while Jesus Crespo worked on arranging photographs and other materials. The display is scheduled to remain in place through Nov. 22.
Why The Mosquito Bowl matters to Wisconsin fans
For many Badgers supporters, the movie offers more than a nostalgic look at old football uniforms. It revisits a period when college athletes were quickly pulled from stadiums and campuses into global conflict. Schreiner and Baumann represent the many young men whose athletic careers ended abruptly when they entered military service.
Peter Berg has built a career around stories involving courage, teamwork and pressure, including sports and military dramas. In this project, those themes overlap. Football becomes a way to understand the players’ personalities, relationships and sense of duty before the story moves into the brutal reality of Guadalcanal.
The film also recreates elements of Camp Randall Stadium as it may have appeared during a 1942 Badgers game. Computer-generated imagery and historical photographs help establish the setting, while scenes in the Pacific depict the dangers faced by the players after the game.
Several Madison-area events are planned around the film’s release, including Badgers-themed activities and displays. The promotion is designed to reach both longtime Wisconsin sports fans and viewers discovering the story through Netflix.
When does Peter Berg’s movie arrive on Netflix?
“The Mosquito Bowl” is scheduled to begin streaming on Netflix Nov. 25, 2026. It is also being shown in theaters ahead of its streaming release.
Who are the Wisconsin football players featured in the film?
The story highlights Dave Schreiner and Bob Baumann, former Badgers football players who served in the Marine Corps during World War II. Both died in combat after serving in the Pacific.
What is the real Mosquito Bowl?
The Mosquito Bowl was a football game played by American military personnel on Guadalcanal in 1942. The event became the basis for Buzz Bissinger’s book and Peter Berg’s film.
Where is the Madison tribute display located?
The promotional installation is at the Kollege Klub near North Lake and Langdon streets in Madison. The display is expected to remain available through Nov. 22.
Why is the film significant to Badgers fans?
The movie preserves the wartime stories of former Wisconsin athletes while showing how college football intersected with military service, sacrifice and American history.
