HUNTSVILLE — North Carolina A&T threw down the gauntlet and the Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White accepted the challenge.

Now, the two bands will compete Feb. 1 at the 2025 Honda Battle of the Bands at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

This week, the Bulldogs accepted a challenge invitation from the North Carolina A&T State University marching band to secure its spot in the annual event.

For over two decades, the Honda Battle of the Bands has been a premiere stage for the showcasing of top HBCU band programs. Six invitations for the 2025 event are being selected in three phases.

Last month, a Honda committee selected two HBCU bands. Each of those bands were then allowed to “challenge” an HBCU band to participate in a face-off in Inglewood. A&M will be one of six HBCU bands to perform

Committee selections and challenge selections include: the Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White; the North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine; the Southern University Human Jukebox; and the Alabama State University band.

The final two bands are being selected via fan voting through Aug. 15 at www.hondabattleofthebands.com.

Honda made a commitment in 2003 to highlight the heart-stopping musical talent of HBCU marching bands. Since then, Honda Battle of the Bands has served as the blueprint for showcasing one of the most recognizable and celebrated examples of HBCU culture and tradition to the rest of the world.

HBOB continues to evolve into a platform built for and by the HBCU community. Known as the marching band homecoming event of the year, HBOB has hosted some of the greatest performances and moments in HBCU battle of the bands history.