Miles College and Alabama State bands set for 2027 Battle of the Bands

Miles College’s Purple Marching Machine and Alabama State University’s Mighty Marching Hornets have been confirmed to compete in the 2027 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands. The event is scheduled for January 16, 2027, in Palm Beach, Florida, during MLK Weekend.

These two Alabama-based Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) join a lineup of five confirmed bands, which includes Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters University, and Florida A&M University. The weekend festivities are expected to include an entrepreneur conference, a job fair, and various fan experiences alongside the musical competition.