Pepsi® is once again hitting the road, bringing the iconic Pepsi Challenge to its multi-stop HBCU Tour - and this time with the addition of the crisp and refreshing taste of Pepsi® Zero Sugar Wild Cherry across select stops.
So far in 2025, the Pepsi Challenge has been a massive success. After visiting 30+ cities to date and giving out almost 100,000 samples,
100% of markets have preferred the taste of Pepsi Zero Sugar – even Atlanta!
Now the Pepsi Challenge is arriving at SWAC Classics, inviting students, alumni, and fans the chance to find out what we already know to be true: Pepsi Zero Sugar and Pepsi Zero Sugar Wild Cherry tastes better than the competition.
To celebrate, Pepsi is launching a limited-edition Pepsi Challenge HBCU Capsule Collection, exclusively on Pepsi Drops and on-site. The capsule features custom-designed items, including a jersey, hat, T-shirt, and collectible pins - all available only while supplies last. Fans can enter for a chance to win items from the collection by visiting Pepsi.com or by attending a tour stop.
The tour will kick off at the Orange Blossom Classic on August 30 in Miami in a match-up between Howard and Florida A&M University, with additional stops planned at select SWAC Classics throughout the fall.
At the Orange Blossom Classic and across stops, fans can enjoy Pepsi Zero Sugar and Pepsi Zero Sugar Wild Cherry custom mocktails, delicious bites, and music from local DJs - plus another chance to win exclusive pieces from the Pepsi Challenge HBCU Capsule Collection - for plenty of opportunities to join the fun and claim bragging rights.
The Pepsi Challenge HBCU Tour Stops Include: • August 30: Orange Blossom Classic - Miami, FL
• September 13: SWAC Classic - Jackson, MS
• November 23: Florida Classic - Orlando, FL
• December 7: SWAC Championship - location to be determined
“The Pepsi Challenge has always been about backing the refreshing flavor of Pepsi by letting people’s taste buds decide. Fans across the country have already chosen Pepsi over the competition again and again, and we’re bringing that winning streak to the HBCU tour. The competition may be fierce on the field, but when it comes to taste, Pepsi Zero Sugar Wild Cherry is the undefeated fan favorite,” said Gus Reyna, Vice President, Marketing Pepsi at PepsiCo.
How The Pepsi Challenge Works: • Blind Taste Test: Challengers are presented with two unmarked cups – Cup A and Cup B – containing either Pepsi Zero Sugar or Pepsi Zero Sugar Wild Cherry and the corresponding competition.
• Taste and Decide: Challengers sample both cups, taking their time to decide which they prefer.
• Make Your Choice: Challengers select the cola with the best-tasting, most-refreshing flavor.
• Bragging Rights: Fans at the SWAC Classics will find out which team owns bragging rights for the best taste.
The Pepsi Challenge has long been a part of the brand’s legacy, inviting consumers to trust their taste buds. This HBCU tour continues that tradition with a twist.
To stay current on the latest news about Pepsi, please follow Pepsi on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube (@Pepsi).
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Thursday, August 21st 2025 at 5:57PM
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