The Cricket Celebration Bowl Returns to Atlanta

In the Community

Published on 12/11/2025

Key Takeaways:

South Carolina State Bulldogs and Prairie View A&M University Panthers to compete at the 2025 Cricket Celebration Bowl.

Cricket Wireless debuts the 5G Mace, delivering an immersive,360-degree marching band experience for fans.

Cricket celebrates its fifth year as title sponsor of the bowl and third year sponsoring Band of the Year.

The 2025 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) football season will reach its grand finale in Atlanta as the Cricket Celebration Bowl weekend returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Band of the Year showcase takes place Friday, December 12, followed by the highly anticipated matchup between the South Carolina State University Bulldogs and Prairie View A&M University Panthers on Saturday, December 13 at noon ET.

This year, Cricket Wireless is redefining the gameday experience with the introduction of the 5G Mace. Drum majors from Southern University and South Carolina State University will wield the mace equipped with a 360-degree camera, offering fans an immersive view of the performance. Adding to the experience, Cricket influencer and former HBCU drum major Isaac Williams will share the history of the mace and give fans behind the scenes access on social media.

“At Cricket Wireless, we’re committed to empowering students and communities,” said Angela Rittgers, president of Cricket Wireless. “By blending our 5G capabilities and tradition, we’re helping fans experience the heart and soul of gameday in a new, exciting way.”

ESPN Events Executive Director John Grant said, “The Celebration Bowl shines a national spotlight on the rich tradition and talent of HBCUs. Having sponsors like Cricket Wireless is vital—they not only help elevate the game experience but also invest in the students and communities that make this event so special.”

As a proud sponsor of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Cricket is extending invitations to 150 members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) to attend the Celebration Bowl. With a shared commitment to college and workforce readiness, our aim is to spark interest in post-secondary education.

“The Celebration Bowl is often a Club member’s first glimpse of college life, introducing them to the vibrant culture, school spirit, and excitement of marching bands,” said Gregory Bannister, director of Teen Engagement & Sports at BGCMA. “It highlights opportunities in sports, broadcasting, and more. We’re thankful to Cricket for making this experience possible for the past five years. Sponsorships like this truly make a difference.”

Beyond the Game

Get to know the newest class of Cricket Campus Ambassadors! Representing 11 schools, these students work with local Cricket Field Marketing Managers and Authorized Retailers to grow their marketing skills. The Cricket Campus Ambassador Program empower students to lead marketing campaigns on their campuses.

About Cricket Wireless

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