Charlotte, N.C. (March 30, 2026) – Today, the Carolina Panthers announced an exciting lineup featuring defending state champions and title contenders in the 2026 Keep Pounding High School Classic presented by Belk at Bank of America Stadium. Scheduled for Saturday, August 29, the event will once again be a doubleheader, this year featuringmatchups between the Indian Land Warriors and Northwestern Trojans (4:00 p.m. kickoff) and the Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders versus the Hough Huskies (8:00 p.m. kickoff). General admission tickets are $8 and are available now via Ticketmaster.com.
"The Keep Pounding High School Classic presented by Belk continues to celebrate the important role high school football plays in communities across the Carolinas," said Kristi Coleman, chief executive officer of Tepper Sports & Entertainment and president of the Carolina Panthers. "Bank of America Stadium will once again set the stage for the ultimate high school football experience, featuring two high-powered matchups that provide the energy and excitement of top-level high school football."
In 2024, the Carolina Panthers and Belk announced a muti-year partnership that placed a particular emphasis on the Panthers community pillars, including the naming rights to the Keep Pounding High School Classic.
"At Belk, we love celebrating the communities we serve and the experiences that unite us," said Don Hendricks, chief executive officer of Belk. "We're proud to partner with the Carolina Panthers on this event, which shines a spotlight on the passion and potential of young athletes across our region. We're excited to bring it to life together again this year."
Matchups for The Keep Pounding High School Classic presented by Belk are officially set! View photos of the moment when Cardinal Gibbons, Northwestern, Indian Land, and Hough punched their tickets to compete in this year's Keep Pounding High School Classic, set for August 29th at Bank of America Stadium.
Last year, the Carolina Panthers announced a multi-year partnership with Whataburger that focuses on the support of youth and community programs, including the 'Whataburger Player of the Game' award. For the second consecutive year, the award will be presented following the conclusion of each game during the on-field trophy ceremony.
The Indian Land Warriors (S.C.) enter 2026 off the back of an 11-2 season and a 5A state semifinal appearance as they continue their ascension into the state's elite programs. The defending state champion Northwestern Trojans (S.C.) are gunning for their third straight 5A state title after posting a 13-1 record en route to a 55-13 victory in the state championship.
The Hough Huskies (N.C.) capped off their 14-0 2025 campaign with their first ever 8A state title and enter the 2026 season as one of the nation's top high school football programs, while the Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders (N.C.) come into 2026 with a loaded roster and high expectations, fresh off a 12-2 season and state semifinal appearance.
Click here to secure your tickets to the 2026 Panthers Keep Pounding Classic!
