Rob Gronkowski, left, and Patrick Mahomes meet with high school football players as part of T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights program, a nationwide competition offering prizes to eligible small-town high schools. Photo courtesy of T-Mobile.

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Local football players, cheerleaders and band members will help kick off the high school football season Saturday, Aug. 15, during a free community tailgate in Yuba City.

T-Mobile will host the Friday Night 5G Lights Tailgate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its store at 1260 Bridge St., Suite 100. The Yuba City event is one of more than 500 being held nationwide.

The tailgate will feature games, giveaways, a Kona Ice food truck and a live remote broadcast from KSFM-FM. Attendees can also participate in an augmented reality experience featuring former NFL player Rob Gronkowski and enter for a chance to win a football and mini helmet signed by Gronkowski.

The event also gives area schools an opportunity to learn about T-Mobile's Friday Night 5G Lights competition, which will award more than $8.4 million in prizes to eligible small-town high schools.

Representatives will provide on-site assistance to schools interested in applying for the program.

The nationwide competition includes a $1 million football field transformation for one school. Applications remain open through Sept. 18 at http://FridayNight5GLights.com.

T-Mobile launched Friday Night 5G Lights in 2024. According to the company, more than 750 high schools have received funding through the program during its first two years.

Inola High School in Oklahoma received a $1 million football field transformation in 2024, while Dierks High School in Arkansas received the award in 2025.

More information about the competition and eligibility requirements is available at http://FridayNight5GLights.com.