Want a $1M Football Field Upgrade? Enter Your School To Win Big!

On July 17, T-Mobile launched the return of Friday Night 5G Lights, the nationwide competition that turns high school football into a celebration of hometown pride.

Last season, nearly 1,750 high schools from across the country joined in, showcasing school spirit on and off the field. From magenta jerseys and signs to dyed hair and jam-packed stands, communities rallied hard — and millions of votes poured in.

In Inola, Oklahoma — a town of less than 2,000 — students hustled like never before, even calling every other school in the state to build support. Their passion paid off with a life-changing win.

This year’s competition promises even more energy, prizes and chances for small towns to shine.

What Your School Could Win

Over $4 million in prizes are up for grabs this season, including:

• 450 schools will each win $5,000 through weekly $5K Fridays giveaways – with 100 winners the first week alone
• 25 finalists will each score $25,000 and a T-Mobile-hosted home game
• One “Fan Favorite” finalist will receive an extra $25,000, as voted on by T-Mobile employees
• One grand prize winner will receive:
• A $1 million football field upgrade
• A renovated weight room from Gronk Fitness
• A consultation with stadium experience experts
• An all-expenses-paid trip to the SEC Championship Game for select students and school officials
• A tailgate party in 2026 to reveal the finalized upgrades

Mahomes, Gronk and More Are Teaming Up

This year, T-Mobile is bringing even more star power. Alongside returning ambassador Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski, three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is joining the fun — plus top college athletes and high school football standouts.

How To Enter

If your high school is located in a U.S. town with a population under 150,000, you’re eligible. A teacher, coach or administrator must submit an application at FridayNight5GLights.com, including a short story or essay explaining why your school deserves an Un-carrier-style field transformation.

• Submissions are open now through Sept. 12
• All eligible schools are automatically entered for a chance to win one of the weekly $5K Fridays cash prizes — with 100 winners in Week 1 and 50 winners per week after that
• 25 finalists will be selected and announced on Sept. 25
• Public voting runs Sept. 24 through Oct. 24, with one vote per person per day
• Finalists can earn Bonus Votes through weekly “Social Plays” posted on the site
• The grand prize winner and T-Mobile fan favorite will be announced Oct. 30

Help your school win big and put hometown pride on the national stage. Learn more and apply today at FridayNight5GLights.com!

Looking for another way to get in on the fun? Use the tool below to upload a photo of your favorite local athlete or coach and watch them transform into a one-of-a-kind avatar — from game day hero to futuristic MVP and more. Just a heads up: it may take a minute or two to generate your image, but it'll be worth the wait!