T-Mobile will announce which high school takes home a $1 million football field upgrade at the end of October. Until October 24, there are 25 finalists from across small-town America that are competing for votes, each with its own story of resilience, community, and pride.
The field is narrowed
Image by T-Mobile
The Friday Night 5G Lights competition drew more than 2,100 entries, representing nearly one in five small-town high schools across the US. T-Mobile narrowed the field to 25 schools, each earning a $25,000 grant and a celebratory home game. NFL champions Patrick Mahomes and Rob Gronkowski are backing the contest, encouraging communities to rally around their teams.
The grand prize goes beyond a $1 million stadium upgrade. The winner will also receive a renovated weight room from Gronk Fitness, expert consultation on game-day experiences, and a trip for 16 representatives to the SEC Championship Game.
The final reveal of the renovated field is planned for 2026.
It's more than just a game
For many of these schools, football is more than a sport – it is a lifeline for community pride. The finalists were chosen for both creativity and heartfelt stories about how new facilities could change their towns, T-Mobile says.
In Dexter, Maine, harsh weather has left the Tigers' field dangerously uneven, turning Friday nights into a safety risk rather than a celebration. In Dierks, Arkansas, the Outlaws have played for more than 20 years on outdated facilities, with local farmers, welders, and teachers still showing up to cheer them on.
In Monroe, Louisiana, flood damage left River Oaks High School with poor drainage and unsafe track conditions, discouraging student participation. In Sunray, Texas, the Bobcats' stadium was battered by storms, with repairs far exceeding what insurance would cover, leaving the town in need of a gathering place to heal.
Vote more
That $1 million prize isn’t just about new turf or shiny bleachers. For these towns, it’s about hope, pride, and a stronger sense of who they are. From Dexter to Sunray, the stories make it clear just how much football is woven into the fabric of small-town America.
Voting runs through October 24 at FridayNight5GLights.com, with fans allowed to cast one vote per day. Weekly challenges add extra points, and for the first time a Fan Favorite Award chosen by T-Mobile employees will give one school an additional $25,000.
The winner will be revealed on October 30.
Should T-Mobile start more such initiatives?
Yes.
100%
No.
0%
Travel Easy with Nomad eSIM – 25% Off
25% off eSIM data-only plans & global coverage - enter code IPHONE25, sign up required
Sebastian, a veteran of a tech writer with over 15 years of experience in media and marketing, blends his lifelong fascination with writing and technology to provide valuable insights into the realm of mobile devices. Embracing the evolution from PCs to smartphones, he harbors a special appreciation for the Google Pixel line due to their superior camera capabilities. Known for his engaging storytelling style, sprinkled with rich literary and film references, Sebastian critically explores the impact of technology on society, while also perpetually seeking out the next great tech deal, making him a distinct and relatable voice in the tech world.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: