\nT-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) today announced the Top 40 Division Finalists in its Friday Night 5G Lights competition, kicking off an exciting new phase where small-town schools across the country will compete division by division for a shot at the ultimate prize: a $1 million home field upgrade.<\/p>\n
\nNew this year, the Top 40 schools are divided into four divisions \u2014 West, Midwest, South and East \u2014 with 10 schools representing each region. Every finalist will receive $25,000 for their school and a T-Mobile-hosted Home Game Celebration, while fans can vote daily to help their favorite school advance. One Division Champion from each region will score $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym valued at $90,000 and \u201cThe Big Deal\u201d student leadership award prize of $5,000 \u2014 and remain in the running for the $1 million grand prize.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe’ve seen how high school football brings people together in towns across the country, and this year’s response to Friday Night 5G Lights proved it again,\u201d said Jon Freier, Chief Operating Officer, T-Mobile. \u201cWe heard from nearly 2,500 schools hoping to fix things like aging bleachers, outdated lights and worn turf, and while each application reflected a unique community, they all shared a common thread \u2014 pride, need and a community ready to rally behind their team.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBehind every finalist is a community story \u2014 something Friday Night 5G Lights ambassador and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes knows well from his own small-town football roots.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cFriday nights can bring an entire town together,\u201d Mahomes said. \u201cI grew up seeing how much high school football means to families, students and communities, and these 40 schools are carrying that same energy. Now it\u2019s on their communities to rally, vote and help them keep moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meet the Top 40 Division Finalists<\/b><\/p>\n
\nThe finalists were selected based on community impact, need, creativity, school pride, social media participation and overall community engagement. Together, they represent small-town schools across the country seeking upgrades that would improve safety, accessibility, student opportunity and community connection.<\/p>\n
East<\/b><\/p>\n Midwest<\/b><\/p>\n South<\/b><\/p>\n West<\/b><\/p>\n How to Vote, Rally Support and Help Schools Win<\/b><\/p>\n Phase 1: Top 40 Division Finalist Voting<\/b><\/p>\n \nStarting today, Oct. 8, through Oct. 25, fans nationwide can vote once per day for their favorite Division Finalist at FridayNight5GLights.com<\/a> or through the T-Life app<\/a>, with a valid mobile phone number. The school with the most votes in each division\u2014 West, Midwest, South and East \u2014 will be named a Division Champion.<\/p>\n \nEach Division Champion will receive $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym upgrade valued at $90,000 and \u201cThe Big Deal\u201d Student Leadership Award, valued at $5,000, recognizing a student selected by the school for helping lead and inspire their community\u2019s Friday Night 5G Lights contest efforts.<\/p>\n \nAs fans get ready to vote, Friday Night 5G Lights ambassador and four-time Super Bowl champion Rob \u201cGronk\u201d Gronkowski is encouraging communities to bring the energy.<\/p>\n \n\u201cThis is where the competition really heats up,\u201d Gronkowski said. \u201cForty schools, four divisions, $250,000 for each divisional winner and a shot at the $1 million grand prize field upgrade \u2014 that\u2019s big-time Friday night energy. These schools have already shown amazing spirit, and now it\u2019s time for their communities to show up and vote. Every vote counts, and I can\u2019t wait to see how they rally together for this next round.\u201d<\/p>\n Phase 2: Top 4 Division Champion Voting<\/b><\/p>\n \nThe Top 4 Division Champions \u2014 one from each division\u2014 will be announced on Oct. 29 and advance to the final voting round. During the final round, fans can vote once per day from Oct. 29 through Nov. 8 to help decide the grand prize winner. One school will take home the ultimate prize: a $1 million home field upgrade and an epic tailgate celebration. The grand prize winner will be announced on Nov. 12.<\/p>\n More Ways to Rally Support<\/b><\/p>\n \nFinalists can also continue showing their school spirit on social media by tagging their school and @TMobile and using #FN5GL and #Entry. Schools have the opportunity to earn bonus votes by completing Spirit Week Challenges, including showing off T-Mobile\u2019s signature magenta and sharing why their school and community deserve to win. Weekly rankings will be posted on FridayNight5GLights.com, giving communities a chance to track progress and rally support.<\/p>\n \nFans can also get in the game through the Friday Night 5G Lights digital experience<\/a>, where they can pose with Gronk in augmented reality, watch blooper highlights and explore the action under the bright lights from their phone.<\/p>\n \nT-Mobile also plans to recognize standout schools through Spirit Spotlight Awards, providing an additional $5,000 in funding to six non-finalist schools that brought their best stories to life through video and social media, to be announced on Oct. 29.<\/p>\n \nOne finalist will also receive the T-Mobile Employee Fan Favorite Award, a $25,000 cash prize awarded to the school with the most T-Mobile employee fan support.<\/p>\n \nAnd the impact is already reaching far beyond the Top 40. Through T-Mobile\u2019s $5K Fridays sweepstakes, 1,000 schools nationwide each scored $5,000 \u2014 totaling $5 million in funding to support upgrades that matter most to their students and communities. Whether it\u2019s new athletic gear, refreshed learning spaces, improved facilities or spirit-building projects, schools are turning Friday night excitement into real improvements this season.<\/p>\n Championing Small-Town America<\/b><\/p>\n \nT-Mobile is committed to helping people stay connected wherever they live \u2014 and Friday Night 5G Lights is one piece of T-Mobile\u2019s broader mission to connect and invest in communities across the country.<\/p>\n \nThrough programs like Hometown Grants<\/a> and Project 10Million<\/a>, T-Mobile is helping bridge the digital divide and support community-led projects that help small towns thrive.<\/p>\n \nT-Mobile is also expanding broadband choice through T-Mobile 5G Home Internet<\/a>, T-Mobile Business Internet<\/a> and SuperBroadband<\/a>, and T-Mobile Fiber<\/a> \u2014 bringing fast, reliable connectivity options to small towns, rural communities, businesses and schools. And with T-Satellite with Starlink<\/a>, T-Mobile is helping connect people in some of the hardest-to-reach places.<\/p>\n \nWith initiatives like Friday Night 5G Lights, T-Mobile continues to amplify small-town voices, celebrate community pride and showcase what\u2019s possible with America’s Best Network<\/a>.<\/p>\n \nLearn more and keep tabs on the competition at FridayNight5GLights.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n \nFollow the T\u2011Mobile Newsroom on X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> to catch the latest company updates.<\/p>\n About T-Mobile<\/b><\/p>\n \nAs the supercharged Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is powered by an award-winning nationwide 5G Advanced network that connects more people, in more places, than ever before. With T-Mobile\u2019s unique value proposition of best network, best value and best experiences, the Un-carrier is redefining connectivity and fueling competition while continuing to drive the next wave of innovation in wireless, broadband and beyond. Headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. For more information, visit https:\/\/www.t-mobile.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20261007189452\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Media Contact Investor Relations Contact KEYWORDS:<\/b> United States North America Washington<\/p>\n INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> 5G Other Philanthropy Hispanic Telecommunications Networks Internet Football Consumer Philanthropy Consumer Electronics Social Media Technology Mobile\/Wireless Sports Marketing Communications Carriers and Services Primary\/Secondary Education<\/p>\n\n
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