SoFi Stadium To Host Honda Battle Of The Bands’ West Coast Debut In 2025

The Honda Battle of the Bands, an annual event that showcases talented marching bands from historically Black colleges and universities (HBUC) and draws dozens of thousands of fans, announced it will return next year on one of the biggest stages in the country. The bands will travel to Inglewood, California, to perform at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 1, 2025, marking the first time the event will be held on the West Coast.

“SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park look forward to hosting the first West Coast appearance of Honda Battle of the Bands,” Christy Castillo Butcher, senior vice president of Booking and Programming for SoFi Stadium, YouTube Theater and Hollywood Park, said in a statement. “Our global stage is set to showcase these collegians’ talent and celebrate music and culture.”

Six HBCU marching bands will bring their unique sounds to the Los Angeles area for the 2025 Invitational Showcase. A voting process that includes Honda Battle of the Bands fans, Honda representatives and HBCU band directors and students will determine the six bands participating in the historic showcase.

Fans can vote for their favorite HBCU marching bands beginning July 15 by visiting www.hondabattleofthebands.com. They can also purchase tickets on the website beginning May 15.

For the past 35 years, Honda has supported HBCUs with scholarships, programs and initiatives as we all as the Battle of the Bands. The car company donated $500,000 to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to go toward scholarships for HBCU student musicians across the country. For more about the scholarship program, visit https://www.tmcf.org/students-alumni/scholarship/tmcf-honda-hbcu-scholarship/.

“Honda continues its commitment to powering the dreams and success of HBCU students by providing experiences and opportunities like Honda Battle of the Bands,” Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of corporate social responsibility and inclusion & diversity at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., said in the release. “Bringing Honda Battle of the Bands to California will provide a platform for these young musicians while expanding awareness of the rich legacy of HBCU schools.”

Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, who facilitated and supported the construction of venues such as SoFi Stadium and the soon-to-open Intuit Dome, said he was thrilled to have the Honda Battle of the Bands in his city.

“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,” Butts added.

For up-to-date information about the Honda Battle of the Bands, follow the event’s social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and X.