Metallica have announced the winners of the 2025 Collegiate Edition of their annual Marching Band Competition, celebrating innovative performances of the band's music from college marching bands across the United States.
Launched last year, the competition challenged bands at all collegiate levels to create the most exciting, unique, and technically impressive interpretations of Metallica songs. This year's edition introduced a major new incentive: the Division 1 first-place winner will record both a Metallica song and the EA SPORTS College Football Theme Song, which will appear in the next installment of EA SPORTS College Football.
The University of South Carolina was named the Division 1 first-place winner, earning $50,000 in instruments and equipment, along with the opportunity to collaborate with EA SPORTS on the upcoming game.
"Authenticity isn't just a component, it's a commitment," said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive and President of Music for Electronic Arts. "Because Metallica recognizes the power and importance of both music education and sports culture, our For Whom The Band Tolls Competition is a groundbreaking partnership on so many levels. We look forward to working with my beloved USC Marching Band on EA SPORTS College Football as we enrich the school's music program and shape the sound of next season's college football experience."
Jay N. Jacobs, PhD, Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina, called the win a historic moment for the program.
"This is a historic moment in the 105-year history of The Carolina Band," Jacobs said. "Metallica went the extra mile to spotlight the unique cultural contributions marching bands bring to the world, and our students were thrilled to bring Metallica's powerful music to 80,000 Gamecock fans."
Winners in each division received instruments and equipment provided by Metallica and sponsors including Sweetwater, TAMA, Hal Leonard, KHS America, and others.
2025 Metallica Marching Band Competition Winners
Division 1
1st Place: University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) – $50,000 in prizing + opportunity to record for EA SPORTS™ College Football
2nd Place: Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA) – $25,000 in prizing
3rd Place: University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (Champaign, IL) – $10,000 in prizing
Division 2 / Division 3
1st Place: Riverside City College (Riverside, CA) – $40,000 in prizing
2nd Place: Bridgewater College (Bridgewater, VA) – $20,000 in prizing
3rd Place: Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion, IN) – $10,000 in prizing
Fan Favorite
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign – $10,000 in prizing
The winners were announced via Metallica's official YouTube channel. The Metallica Marching Band Competition is an annual national initiative aimed at supporting music education while spotlighting the creativity and cultural impact of collegiate marching bands.
For more information, visit metallicamarchingband.com.
