Battle of the Bands Returns in 2025 with New Host City and Digital Broadcast
The 2025 HBCU Labor Day Classic Battle of the Bands will be held on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi. This marks the first time the event will take place in Jackson. The event is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM, with doors opening at 5:00 PM and a Parade of Bands set for 5:30 PM.
Participating Institutions
Ten historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will participate in the performance lineup:
• Jackson State University – Sonic Boom of the South
• Southern University – Human Jukebox
• Grambling State University – World-Famed Tiger Marching Band
• Alcorn State University – Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite
• Mississippi Valley State University – Mean Green Marching Machine
• Alabama A&M University – Marching Maroon & White
• Alabama State University – Mighty Marching Hornets
• Langston University – Marching Pride Band
• Talladega College – Great Tornado Band
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff – Musical Machine of the Mid-South
Fanfest and Additional Programming
A Fanfest will begin at 12:00 PM on the same day. The event will include food vendors, merchandise booths, student groups, step teams, and other community activities. Attendance to the Fanfest is free with RSVP.
Broadcast and Media Access
The event will be live-streamed through Urban Edge Network’s free platform. This is the first time the Battle of the Bands will be made available for a global audience through digital broadcasting.
Economic and Cultural Background
The event was previously held in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to organizers, past years have recorded over 50,000 attendees and generated more than $5 million in local economic impact. Organizers selected Jackson as the new host city for 2025, citing regional alignment and facility availability.
Ticketing and Attendance
Tickets are currently available for purchase. Early access and discount pricing are offered on a limited basis. The event is open to the public and expected to draw both local and out-of-state attendees.
