Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has announced the four finalists competing for a $1 million football field upgrade through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights program. The announcement came on October 29, ahead of Kansas City’s Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
The annual initiative, led by Mahomes and former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, supports high school football programs in smaller U.S. communities. More than 2,400 schools entered this year’s competition.
Four High Schools Reach the $1 Million Final
The competition has now reached its final voting stage, with four schools remaining in the running for the top prize:
- Lakeside High School – Nine Mile Falls, Washington
- Menasha High School – Menasha, Wisconsin
- Covington High School – Covington, Louisiana
- Buffalo Gap High School – Swoope, Virginia
The winning school will receive a $1 million upgrade to its football field. Public voting is scheduled to remain open through November 8, giving supporters time to back their chosen school.
Each of the four finalists has already secured $250,000, along with a Gronk Fitness gym and the program’s “The Big Deal” Student Leadership Award.
Friday Night 5G Lights Offers $8.4 Million in Prizes
The Friday Night 5G Lights sweepstakes first launched in 2024. This year’s program is distributing $8.4 million in prizes to participating high schools.
The top 40 finalists each received $25,000. Eight additional schools earned $5,000 awards for going above and beyond in their social media campaigns.
The program is designed to help schools improve their football facilities and give student-athletes access to better resources. It also brings attention to communities where high school football plays a major role.
Why Patrick Mahomes Supports the High School Football Program
Mahomes has a personal connection to the initiative. He played high school football at Whitehouse High School in Texas, where he developed before moving on to Texas Tech.
During his final two high school seasons, he threw for more than 8,000 yards and 90 touchdowns. The Kansas City Chiefs selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
His experience playing football in a smaller community is one reason the quarterback continues to support programs that invest in high school sports.
Chiefs Turn Attention to Broncos After Seahawks Loss
The announcement arrived during a challenging week for Kansas City. The Chiefs suffered their first loss of the 2026 season, falling 20-3 to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7.
Mahomes and the offense struggled to create scoring opportunities in that game. The quarterback now faces another important divisional matchup as Kansas City prepares to host the Denver Broncos on November 1.
Speaking after the Seahawks defeat, Mahomes described the upcoming game as an opportunity for the team to show how it responds. The Chiefs will look to get back on track while the quarterback continues his work both on and off the field.
The high school giveaway adds another community-focused project to Mahomes’ work beyond the NFL. The final voting round will determine which of the four schools receives the full $1 million field improvement.
