Business Wire·Nov 12, 2026, 9:08 AM ET

From Tornado Devastation to a $1 Million Victory: Wisconsin’s Menasha High School Wins T-Mobile's Friday Night 5G Lights

T-Mobile officially crowned Menasha High School in Menasha, Wisconsin, as the 2026 Friday Night 5G Lights grand prize winner after receiving over 3.2 million votes.
Menasha High School secured a $1 million prize for a football field makeover & celebration, bringing its total winnings to $1.37 million including prior division awards.
The victory follows a severe tornado in July 2026 that destroyed Calder Stadium & displaced families, prompting a community-wide recovery & voting campaign.
Over 400 local businesses turned magenta to support the school, while notable figures like Patrick Mahomes, Rob Gronkowski, Charlie Berens, Eric Hinske, & George Koonce offered public endorsements.
Menasha High School joins Inola High School (2024) & Dierks High School (2025) as only the third school to win the grand prize in the program's history.
The competition featured four division champions: West (Lakeside High School), Midwest (Menasha High School), East (Buffalo Gap High School), & South (Covington High School), each receiving $250,000.
Baldwin High School in Kansas won the Team Magenta Fan Favorite award with $25,000, bringing their total winnings to $55,000.
The 2026 program awarded over $8.4 million in total prizes, with upgrades to Menasha's stadium scheduled for the 2027 football season.
T-Mobile's broader mission includes bridging the digital divide through initiatives like Hometown Grants, Project 10Million, & expanded broadband options.