15-05-2025
'This is going to be special': National HBCU Battle of the Bands coming to FAU Stadium
Some of the top Historically Black College and University marching bands in the United States will participate in a national band competition at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton in January 2026.
Under the contract recently approved by Palm Beach County, at least six collegiate bands from HBCUs will perform at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on Jan. 17, which also is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The schools have not been revealed yet, but some of the more popular schools are Florida A&M, Grambling and Bethune-Cookman.
A similar "Battle of the Bands" in Houston last year generated an estimated economic impact of more than $20 million for that area, a figure county officials hope to replicate here.
'This is going to be a great event,' said County Commissioner Gregg Weiss. 'These musicians are incredibly talented."
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The Houston event, held at NRG Stadium at the beginning of the football season in August, generated 22,000 room nights and had a "media value" of more than $19 million, according to an economic impact statement prepared for Houston.
HBCUs are known for their marching bands. The contract will result in the county hosting one of only two national competitions, with the other one being offered in Houston.
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The Boca Raton event will be branded "Battle of the Bands in the Palm Beaches' and occur on Martin Luther King Day for the next five years. Bed taxes of up to $6.4 million will be used to fund the program. The tax is paid by tourists who visit the county. Some of the costs will be recouped through food and beverage, ticket and parking sales; the county will receive 35% of that revenue.
Visitors from several HBCU schools are expected to spend the weekend in Palm Beach County. They are expected to include nearly 8,000 family members of competing band members. More than 2,200 band members are expected to participate.
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Event sponsors will be responsible for all of the costs involving the planning, organization and production of the event. They will also have to provide a detailed economic impact report documenting the economic contributions of the event.
George Linley, executive director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, noted that the collegiate bands will be participating in other events throughout the weekend, as they do in Houston.
Those ancillary events are expected to include:
A career fair designed to connect students with HBCUs and potential employers in STEM fields that focus on the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math.
An "Emerging Entrepreneur Experience" supporting emerging entrepreneurs by providing networking opportunities, resources, and expert guidance.
A Homeless Outreach Program that will result in the distribution of hundreds of meals.
Linley noted that on Jan. 19, two days after the Battle of Bands event at FAU, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens will host the college football championship. The football game will be used 'as a catalyst' to boost the FAU event.
The sponsor of the event is required to record the Battle of the Bands and, within 45 business days, present the recording on The Palm Beaches YouTube channel. The event will also be streamed.
The bands compete in front of an audience, but no winners are selected.
"This really going to be something special," said Emanuel Perry, executive director of the Tourist Development Council. "It is going to attract people from all over the country."
Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and issues impacting homeowner associations. You can reach him at mdiamond@ Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: HBCU Battle of the Bands event coming to FAU Stadium in Boca Raton
