General | September 4, 2025 | 10:34

 
The 2025 Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic (APKC) drew 9,055 fans for the season-opening, two-day high school football showcase held Aug. 28-29 at Tom Adams Field on the campus of Wayne State (MI) University in Detroit, marking the second-highest attendance for a four-game format in the history of the event and an increase of 11% over 2024.
 
The 2025 Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic was streamed live to an extended virtual viewing audience, with nearly 50,000 watching on YouTube via State Champs! Network's Gametime Live and on Local 4+, representing a 24% increase. The APKC was also broadcast live on WJR-AM 760 and streamed on the Sportcaster student radio network.
 
In addition to strong attendance and viewership, the event delivered significant digital impact—DetroitSports.org traffic rose by 31.25%, and event coverage reached over 534,000 fans across Instagram and Facebook, driving thousands of interactions and new followers.
 
Founded and organized annually by the Detroit Sports Commission (DSC), the Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic (APKC) has served as Michigan's premier season-opening high school football showcase since 2005. Over the last 20 years, the event has delivered a bowl-game atmosphere for participating teams, marching bands, cheer and dance squads, and fans. Staying true to an inclusive approach, the DSC has featured nearly 100 schools over two decades, representing Detroit, communities across Southeast Michigan, and neighboring states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
 
The Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic has been held in Midtown Detroit at Wayne State University's Tom Adams Field since 2012, following its early years at Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium on Crosby Field. The 2012 matchups at WSU were the first games played under the stadium lights, creating a true bowl game atmosphere.
 
"The success of the 2025 Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic would not have been possible without the support of Amazon as our title sponsor and our many valued partners," said Marty Dobek, executive director of the Detroit Sports Commission. "The Detroit Sports Commission wants to thank the more than 9,000 fans who attended this year's event and helped create an exciting game atmosphere with great high school football teams and top players."
 
The Girls Flag Football Showcase returned to the Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic on Thursday, Aug. 28, to celebrate the rapidly growing sport of girls flag football and offer high school female student-athletes the opportunity to shine. This year's double-header showcase saw the Gibraltar Carlson Marauders emerge victorious in a 24-6 win over the L'Anse Creuse North Lancers, and the St. Joseph Blue Jays defeated the Redford Union Panthers 13-7 in game two. All teams are part of the Michigan High School Girls Flag Football League, founded by the Detroit Lions.
 
Following the girls flag football games, the DSC presented an impactful Girls in Sports event at the WSU Fieldhouse. Designed exclusively for participating teams and their families, the program highlighted the core pillars of physical wellness, mental health, financial literacy, and building connections, and featured a discussion with Amber Clark-Robinson (DB/WR, U.S. National Flag Football Team & Head Coach, University of Saint Mary Women's Flag Football) moderated by Dr. Michele Lewis-Watts. Activation partners included DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, the W. Buchanan Group, Love Yourself, and USA Football.
 
Dobek added, "The Detroit Sports Commission also wants to thank the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation for their support of the Girls Flag Football Showcase and Girls in Sports educational program, as well as the Detroit Lions for championing girls flag football across the state of Michigan."
 
In recognition of the Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic's 20^th year, the Detroit Sports Commission presented ceremonial APKC footballs on the field during the event to individuals who have played a key role in the event's continued success, including:

• Event founder and former DSC Executive Director Dave Beachnau, whose original vision for the event and annual organization of the event has been instrumental in the continuity and success of the Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic.
   
• Current Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) assistant athletic director and former Chelsea H.S. head football coach and athletic director, Brad Bush, for his role in supporting Beachnau in the development of the event pre-2005 and for bringing needed credibility and awareness to the Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic in the early years.
   
• Former University of Michigan and Birmingham Brother Rice wide receiver Grant Perry, for his experience playing in the event twice and on behalf of others who have distinguished themselves on the field, including Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (Detroit Martin Luther King HS), Jourdan Lewis (Cass Tech HS) Devin Gardner (Inkster HS), Bryce Underwood (Belleville HS), Desmond King (East English Village Prep HS) and many others over the 20 years of the event.
   
• Longtime MHSAA football official Bob Czech, for his valuable coordination and organization of assigning referees for the Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic over the past 20 years of the event.
   

For the 2025 Amazon Prep Kickoff Classic, the DSC supported local, minority, and women-owned businesses by contracting Detroit and metro Detroit-based companies to provide products or services. Businesses included Banner Sign Company, Progressive Printing, Make The Turn, Octane Design, Andiamo Pizza Pie, Lunchtime Global, Los Dos Amigos, Hart Medical, Mexican Village, Michigan Ticket Service, PM1, Home City Ice, Scotty's Potties, and Great Lakes Trophies.
 
Additional sponsors for the 2025 APKC included DICK'S Sporting Goods, Milk Means More (United Dairy Industry of Michigan), DTE Energy, Detroit Medical Center, Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Meijer, Absopure, and Kona Ice.