bernard
THEE Realist
The Red Lobster Band of the Year competition is heading into its fourth year, and the 2026 HBCU marching band season begins with a familiar name at the top of the Division I preseason rankings.
The North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine is ranked No. 1 in the 2026 Red Lobster Band of the Year Division I preseason media poll.
For the second consecutive year, media outlets that cover HBCUs and HBCU marching bands voted on a preseason poll ahead of the season. Twenty-two media outlets participated, ranking bands overall and across five categories: musicality; pictures, drill and design; percussion; drum majors; and auxiliaries.
North Carolina A&T has plenty of history with the competition. The Blue and Gold Marching Machine won the inaugural Division I Red Lobster Band of the Year championship in 2023. A&T returned to the championship in 2024, finishing as runner-up to the Florida A&M University Marching “100.”
The Southern University Human Jukebox enters 2026 as the reigning champion after capturing the 2025 Division I title.
hbcugameday.com
The North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine is ranked No. 1 in the 2026 Red Lobster Band of the Year Division I preseason media poll.
For the second consecutive year, media outlets that cover HBCUs and HBCU marching bands voted on a preseason poll ahead of the season. Twenty-two media outlets participated, ranking bands overall and across five categories: musicality; pictures, drill and design; percussion; drum majors; and auxiliaries.
North Carolina A&T has plenty of history with the competition. The Blue and Gold Marching Machine won the inaugural Division I Red Lobster Band of the Year championship in 2023. A&T returned to the championship in 2024, finishing as runner-up to the Florida A&M University Marching “100.”
The Southern University Human Jukebox enters 2026 as the reigning champion after capturing the 2025 Division I title.
2026 Red Lobster Band of the Year Division I Preseason Top 10
- North Carolina A&T State University — Blue and Gold Marching Machine
- Jackson State University — Sonic Boom of the South
- Norfolk State University — Spartan Legion
- Southern University — Human Jukebox
- Bethune-Cookman University — Marching Wildcats
- Florida A&M University — Marching “100”
- Texas Southern University — Ocean of Soul
- Alabama State University — Mighty Marching Hornets
- South Carolina State University — Marching 101
- Tennessee State University — Aristocrat of Bands
HBCU media poll: Red Lobster Band of The Year (D1) 2026
Explore the 2026 HBCU marching band season and see why North Carolina A&T is ranked No. 1 in the Red Lobster Band of the Year.
hbcugameday.com