2023 National Battle of the Bands, 8 Marching Bands Announced

Event organizers for the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands announced that this year's event will take place on Saturday, August 26 at NRG Stadium and will kick off at 6:00 PM CST. The event celebrates the rich culture of HBCU marching bands while focusing on generating scholarship dollars for participating HBCU bands and supporting the community through various initiatives.

“Pepsi is honored to enter its third year as title sponsor of the National Battle of the Bands, an inspiring and iconic cultural event for the HBCU Band Community," Kent Montgomery, Senior Vice President of Industry Relations and Multicultural Development said. "As a firm believer in promoting the growth and development of HBCU students, this multi-year partnership provides a powerful platform to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of HBCUs nationwide, and unapologetically celebrate the world-class marching bands that bring tradition, unite generations and inspire future leaders.”

Derek Webber, National Battle of the Bands Creator and CEO, of Webber Marketing, states, "We are committed to making a long-term difference in the communities we serve by collaborating with dynamic partners such as Pepsi, JP Morgan Chase, Cricket, and others on initiatives such as entrepreneur empowerment, job creation, feeding the homeless, youth leadership development, and education through our official events, which are FREE and open to the public."

The NBOTB is the largest HBCU marching band event and the fourth-largest HBCU African American event in the country. Over 2,200 members from the nation's top marching bands will kick off their Fall marching band season while showcasing their unique style, talent, and sound.

The 2023 marching band lineup includes:

• Florida A&M University, Marching "100"

• Langston University, “Marching Pride” Band

• Mississippi Valley State University, Mean Green Marching Machine

• Norfolk State University, The Spartan “Legion” Marching Band

• Southern University, Human Jukebox

• Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands

• Texas Southern University, “Ocean of Soul” Marching Band

• Virginia State University, Trojan Marching Explosion

"Our community is once again excited to welcome the nation's best marching bands to Houston," Harris County – Houston Sports Authority Vice President Chris Massey said. "The NBOTB continues to support our youth through arts and entertainment, educational opportunities, and diversity programming. We are looking forward to continuing to celebrate HBCU culture within the city and making this event bigger and better each year."

To amplify the fan experience, this year's Pepsi National Battle of the Bands has refreshed its website to provide a more interactive user experience and will be introducing a brand-new mobile app. This app will grant fans seamless access to event details, tickets, news, and information during the event weekend and throughout the year. Coupled with the extraordinary performances from our distinguished HBCU bands, the 2023 edition promises an electrifying celebration of HBCU culture and musical brilliance, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience for all attendees.