High school football season is almost here, and T-Mobile is bringing a little extra Friday night excitement to East Tennessee.
T-Mobile will host its Friday Night 5G Lights tailgate from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the T-Mobile store, 624 E. Broadway Blvd., Jefferson City. The free community event is designed to celebrate high school football while helping area schools learn about opportunities to win prizes and football field improvements.
Jefferson City is one of just 15 locations nationwide selected for an enhanced version of the tailgate experience, part of events taking place at 500 T-Mobile stores across the country.
Families and football fans can stop by for free food, games and giveaways, along with a live WIVK-FM broadcast and a Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski augmented reality experience. Local high school football players, cheerleaders and band members are expected to participate, and The Rolling Drizzle Food Truck will be on site.
There are some bigger prizes in play, too. Attendees can scan a QR code at the event for a chance to win a full-size football and mini helmet signed by Gronkowski. One prize set is reserved specifically for the Jefferson City event.
But the biggest opportunity may be for the schools themselves.
Through Friday Night 5G Lights, T-Mobile is awarding more than $8.4 million in prizes to high school programs nationwide. Since the program began in 2024, 27 Tennessee high schools have won a combined $135,000. Schools can win weekly $5,000 prizes simply by applying, with additional awards for finalists, division champions and a fan favorite. The grand prize winner will receive a $1 million football field upgrade.
Applications remain open through Sept. 18.
For East Tennessee families, the Jefferson City event offers a chance to celebrate the start of another high school football season — and perhaps help a local school bring home a pretty impressive win before the first whistle even blows.
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