T-Mobile to help small-town high school football programs through Friday Night 5G Lights

Since April 2021, T-Mobile has assisted small-town high school football teams through their Friday Night 5G Lights program. To date, they have connected rural communities with 5G Internet and invested over $16 million nationwide. This year, they are opening the program to help more schools that need the most assistance.

Based on the program’s official website, T-Mobile will have a pre-registration period for high school football teams until July 16. Schools in towns with a population of 150,000 or less are eligible to register.

On July 17, the application period starts, and high school football programs can submit their pitch on why they deserve the grant. From this day until September 12, T-Mobile will grant a weekly $5,000 prize and branded giveaways for selected schools. Having more social media content about the school increases its chances.

From September 25 to October 23, T-Mobile will select the finalists, and the voting period will be open. While the finalists will already receive a $25,000 grant, there will be a grand winner who will receive more prizes.

Last year’s Friday Night 5G Lights saw 1,749 entries from 50 states. Sixteen finalists received a $25,000 grant, and Oklahoma’s Inola High School was declared the winner. The Longhorns finished their 2024 high school football season with a 3-7 record.

Meanwhile, the full list of Friday Night 5G Lights finalists from 2024 is as follows.

1. Beaumont United High School (Texas)

2. Crest Ridge High School (Missouri)

3. Dumas High School (Texas)

4. Greenwood High School (Arkansas)

5. Hughson High School (California)

6. Inola High School (Oklahoma)

7. Loveland High School (Colorado)

8. Manchester West High School (New Hampshire)

9. Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf

10. Paradise High School (California)

11. Ridgeview High School (Oregon)

12. Saks High School (Alabama)

13. Salisbury High School (North Carolina)

14. Superior High School (Arizona)

15. Ware High School (Massachusetts)

16. Warren Central High School (Kentucky)

Interested high school football programs can pre-register for the 2025 T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights contest here.