Louisville Cardinal Marching Band to Perform National Anthem at 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Opener
Louisville, KY — May 12, 2025
In a moment of extraordinary honor and national pride, the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band has been selected to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the opening ceremony of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The prestigious global event will kick off on June 14, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The announcement marks a major milestone for the Cardinal Marching Band, widely recognized for its musical excellence, spirited performances, and deep-rooted tradition within collegiate athletics. The performance will place the band in front of a global audience, both in-stadium and via international broadcast, as the world unites to celebrate the start of this historic tournament.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be part of such an iconic event,” said Dr. Amy Acklin, Associate Director of Bands at the University of Louisville. “This opportunity is a reflection of the talent and dedication of our students and the reputation our program has built over the years.”
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is the first edition of the tournament to be hosted by the United States, and it will feature 32 of the top club teams from around the globe. The opening ceremony is expected to be a spectacle of color, sound, and culture — with the Louisville band’s performance serving as the ceremonial heartbeat of the occasion.
For the members of the Cardinal Marching Band, this is more than a performance — it is a chance to represent their school, their city, and their country on one of the biggest international stages in sports.
