The Pepsi National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB)—one of the crown jewels of HBCU band culture—is packing its drums, brass, and pageantry for a new stop in South Florida. The event is officially expanding its stage to The Palm Beaches during MLK Weekend 2026, marking the first-ever Palm Beaches Edition of the storied HBCU band showcase.The main event goes down Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida, with a full weekend of festivities running January 15–18. For HBCU fans, that means sunshine and the best marching bands in the land.“This expansion is a milestone moment in the event’s legacy,” said Derek Webber, CEO of Webber Marketing and Executive Producer of NBOTB. “It allows us to amplify the music, pride, and excellence of HBCUs on an even larger scale.”In its 12-year run, NBOTB has featured 29 different HBCU marching bands and delivered over $2.1 million in scholarships. What started as a showcase has become a statement — a yearly reminder that HBCU band culture leads the rhythm.
