The 2026 Red Lobster/ESPN Band of The Year

[bernard]

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.

2026 Red Lobster Band of the Year Division I Preseason Top 10​

1. North Carolina A&T State University — Blue and Gold Marching Machine
2. Jackson State University — Sonic Boom of the South
3. Norfolk State University — Spartan Legion
4. Southern University — Human Jukebox
5. Bethune-Cookman University — Marching Wildcats
6. Florida A&M University — Marching “100”
7. Texas Southern University — Ocean of Soul
8. Alabama State University — Mighty Marching Hornets
9. South Carolina State University — Marching 101
10. 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.

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HBCU band legends lead Red Lobster Band of The Year committee​

The Red Lobster Band of the Year competition has named its committee leadership ahead of the 2026 championship, bringing prominent figures from several prominent HBCU bands to key roles.

ESPN Events announced Friday that Professor Dowell Taylor will return as a committee co-chair. Taylor is the director of bands emeritus at Jackson State University.

Dr. Kenneth Ruff, director of bands emeritus at North Carolina A&T State University, will join Taylor as co-chair. ESPN Events elevated Ruff after his previous service on the Band of the Year committee.

Florida A&M University will also have a respected former band director helping guide the competition. ESPN Events named Dr. Julian White, a Hall of Fame member and FAMU’s director of bands emeritus, as strategic advisor. White will provide counsel on the competition’s direction, evaluation standards and future development.

Dr. James Oliver, director of bands emeritus at Alabama State University, will lead the Metro Atlanta High School BOTY committee.

“Professor Dowell Taylor, Dr. Kenneth Ruff, Dr. Julian White and James Oliver are highly respected leaders who have made lasting contributions to music education and the marching-band community,” John Grant, executive director of Red Lobster Band of The Year, said in a statement.

HBCU band legends lead Red Lobster Band of The Year committee

Explore the role of HBCU representatives in the Red Lobster Band of the Year competition for 2026 with esteemed committee leadership.

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