The Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) will be held at SoFi Stadium on February 1, 2025. There will be six HBCU marching bands that will perform in the showcase and fans have until August 15 to vote for two marching bands at https://www.hondabattleofthebands.com/home.
Fans have 20 bands to choose from, including the Florida A&M University Marching 100, the Prairie View A&M Marching Storm, the Grambling State Tiger Marching Band, and the Clark Atlanta Mighty Marching Panthers.
Honda chose two marching bands for the showcase and the chosen universities are also given a chance to choose one band each. The four bands that are slated for the event are the Alabama State Marching Hornets, the Southern University Human Jukebox, the Alabama A&M Marching Maroon and White, and the North Carolina A&T Blue and Gold Marching Machine.
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“We are thrilled to welcome Honda Battle of the Bands to our great city,” said Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts. “Over the years we have crowned NBA, NFL, and Olympic champions. Now, the City of Inglewood will be home to a new group of champions when six HBCU marching bands take the field at SoFi Stadium in 2025.”
HBOB announced that SoFi will be the host on April 30, 2024. The event was created in 2003, it is one of the many ways that Honda shows its commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Honda created the “Drive the Legacy” initiative which includes HBOB, the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and other events.
Honda is also a member of the HBCU Partnership Challenge, an initiative where industry, government and HBCUs can collaborate to build partnerships for HBCUs. The motor company is also sending a $500,000 grant to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). Honda and TMCF have been partners, providing scholarships to HBCU students.
Honda has been helping HBCU students for 35 years, giving $14 million in grants and being a beneficiary to over 300,000 HBCU students.
“I appreciate Honda’s commitment to supporting and showcasing the dynamic music and culture of America’s HBCUs. Honda Battle of the Bands has become a wonderful and energizing tradition that allows students to create, compete and come together in solidarity with fellow HBCUs,” said California State Senator Steven Bradford. “The financial support provided by Honda is critical to the mission of our nation’s HBCUs.”
Several HBCU marching bands have visited Southern California in recent years. The Alabama State football team battled UCLA in September 2022 with the Marching Hornets performing during halftime. North Carolina Central University battled UCLA last season with the Sound Machine marching band headlining during halftime.
Southern, Alabama State and Florida A&M has been featured in the Tournament of Roses Parade in recent years. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.
