The 2025 PEPSI National Battle of the Bands returns to Houston on Saturday, August 23 at NRG Stadium, with official events kicking off Friday, August 22—celebrating the best in band culture, youth talent, and community impact.
“Each year, we strive to elevate the platform and the experience,” said Derek Webber, CEO of Webber Marketing and Executive Producer of the National Battle of the Bands. “NBOTB is more than a performance—it’s a movement that celebrates tradition, talent, and the cultural impact of HBCUs across the country.”
This year’s featured band lineup includes:
- Alabama A&M University – Marching Maroon & White
- Albany State University – Marching Rams Show Band
- Florida A&M University – Marching “100”
- Jackson State University – Sonic Boom of the South
- Langston University – Marching Pride Band
- North Carolina A&T State University – Blue & Gold Marching Machine
- Prairie View A&M University – Marching Storm
- Texas Southern University – “Ocean of Soul”
Presale tickets will be available starting Wednesday, May 14, and ending on Thursday, May 15, at 11:59 p.m. CST. To obtain the presale code, please join our email list at NationalBattleoftheBands.com. Public sales will begin at 10:00 a.m. CST on Friday, May 16, with ticket prices starting at just $25. Those interested in purchasing group tickets and suites are encouraged to do so early, while supplies last. For additional details, visit NationalBattleoftheBands.com.
“We’re excited to welcome the 2025 National Battle of the Bands back to Harris County for another unforgettable year,” said Ryan Walsh, CEO of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority. “This event brings incredible energy, talent, and tradition to our community, and we look forward to hosting fans and bands from across the nation at NRG Stadium.”
“PepsiCo has long supported HBCUs—honoring the rich cultural traditions they uphold, like the National Battle of the Bands. With many of our own employees being HBCU alumni, we see today’s students as the heartbeat of our future, and we’re proud to champion their passions and preserve their legacy,” said Kent Montgomery, Senior Vice President, Industry Relations.
2025 NBOTB Weekend Highlights Include:
- Emerging Experience Entrepreneur Conference (Friday, August 22 at The Deluxe Theater from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.): Powered by JPMorgan Chase, connecting innovators and small business leaders. Free with registration.
- Fan Experience (Saturday, August 23 at NRG Center from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.):
A free, community-focused event that brings the energy of the NBOTB weekend to life. The Fan Experience houses the following major activations:- The Pepsi Experience: An interactive experience with national artist performances, live entertainment, and a vibrant marketplace of vendors and partners.
- HBCU College & Career Fair: A resource-rich event that connects students with HBCUs and career opportunities through admissions info, on-site reps, and more.
- Stroll Off Competition: A dynamic showcase of step and stroll culture, celebrating Black Greek Letter Organizations and HBCU tradition.
- NBOTB Cares Community Outreach (Saturday, August 23): Giving back through initiatives such as Feeding the Homeless and youth engagement.
Returning this year is the NBOTB Hall of Fame, honoring individuals who have significantly contributed to the legacy and success of HBCU marching band culture.
For tickets, event details, and more information about the 2025 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands, please visit our official website at NationalBattleoftheBands.com. Stay in rhythm with the latest updates and announcements by following us on social media: @NationalBattleOfTheBands on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and @NationalBOTB on Twitter.
About National Battle of the Bands
The National Battle of the Bands exists to enhance the exposure of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), their marching bands, and their roles in educating aspiring musicians and developing future leaders. The musical showcase, hosted in collaboration between Webber Marketing and the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, occurs annually in Houston, TX, at NRG Stadium. Since its inception, the event has generated over $1.7 million in scholarships for participating colleges and universities. For more information, visit NationalBattleoftheBands.com.
About the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority
The Harris County – Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA) is responsible for approving upgrades and servicing the debt of the world-class facilities it was created to build. To support this primary mission, HCHSA is a leading proponent in attracting sporting events to Houston and promoting the city as a home for sports-related activities. This ultimately results in enhancing Houston’s economic development, improving the quality of life for its residents, and maintaining the city and county as a premier destination for marquee events. HoustonSports.org
About Webber Marketing and Consulting
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Webber Marketing & Consulting (WMC), LLC is the largest marketing agency of record for HBCUs. Specializing in strategic outreach program development, on-site event execution, experiential marketing, and media, WMC delivers programs that provide measurable results, improve market position, and build for future successes. Learn more at WebberMarketing.net.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit Pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.
