Carrier Cup: Brian Kelley to Headline ‘America250 Summer Kickoff Concert’ Aboard USS Yorktown
Celebrating America250 at SFC Carrier Cup presented by Huk, tickets are now on sale
CHARLESTON, S.C. (May 8, 2026): Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) today announced that Diamond selling country music superstar Brian Kelley will headline “America250 Summer Kickoff Concert” on Friday, May 29 during the SFC Carrier Cup presented by HUK, a three-day event taking place May 29-31 aboard the historic USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.
The concert is part of SFC’s efforts to honor the United States’ 250th anniversary as an official programming partner of America250, the national, nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The concert is slated for Friday, May 29 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown CV-10 aircraft carrier, adding a marquee entertainment experience to a patriotic weekend celebrating the nation’s military community aboard one of the country’s most historic naval vessels.
“It’s a massive blessing to be celebrating America’s 250th and kick it off with a concert for our troops and fans on board,” Kelley said. “It’s going to be a jam-packed weekend and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
“America’s 250th anniversary is an opportunity to bring people together in celebration of the service, traditions, and shared experiences that define our nation,” said Jen Condon, Executive Vice President at America250. “The SFC Carrier Cup aboard the USS Yorktown creates a unique setting to honor America’s military community while engaging fans through music, sport, and patriotic celebration as part of the Semiquincentennial.”
Concert tickets are on SALE and available in two pricing tiers: General admission for $115, and a VIP package called the 1776 Club for $250. The VIP package includes an exclusive area featuring a premium stage side viewing, open bar, commemorative credential, swag bag, and a special gift from Kelley himself.
Besides his success as a chart-topping country artist, Brian Kelley has a personal connection to the league as a co-owner in SFC’s Gulf Coast Cowboys Angling Club, competing in the professional sportfishing league’s Gulf Division.
“As an angling club owner, competitor, and a beloved musician, Brian Kelley is an extended member of our SFC family; so to have him perform at the Carrier Cup, elevates what is already shaping up to be a truly unforgettable weekend in Charleston,” said SFC Commissioner and CEO Mark Neifeld. “This concert on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown, as part of our celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, is exactly the kind of unique experience SFC is committed to delivering, by bringing together sports, entertainment, and a deep appreciation for our military community in one extraordinary setting.”
SFC Carrier Cup Friday Schedule
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM: Competition Hours (Lines In & Lines Out)
10:00 AM: SFC Fanshop opens at USS Yorktown
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: SFC Watch Party LIVE! from the USS Yorktown Flight Deck
6:00 PM: USS Yorktown Doors Reopen for Concert Guests
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: America250 Summer Kickoff Concert featuring Brian Kelley
The SFC Carrier Cup presented by HUK is a three-day offshore fishing tournament with the live broadcast set and fan festival staged directly from the flight deck of the USS Yorktown. The event honors active-duty and retired service members while showcasing Charleston’s rich military history as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration. Taking place during Week Three of SFC’s Atlantic Division season, the SFC Carrier Cup brings together seven professional angling clubs competing in real-time, with live coverage airing across YouTube, the ESPN App, Disney+, and Hulu via ESPN+.
Hosted at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, the USS Yorktown, commissioned in 1943 and a decorated World War II aircraft carrier, provides a historic backdrop for this landmark event. America250 is supporting the Carrier Cup celebration through promotional efforts and military appreciation initiatives tied to the weekend.
As part of the initiative, America250 and SFC have teamed up to provide complimentary Fan Fest and concert tickets for active duty and retired military members, which will be distributed locally through various military service groups and non-profit organizations.
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About Sport Fishing Championship:
Founded in 2021, Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) is a competitive sportfishing league of 16 professional angling clubs, competing internationally across North America. SFC’s celebrity-driven club ownership table includes accomplished athletes and entertainers such as Scottie Scheffler, Austin Dillon, Raheem Mostert, Talor Gooch, Harold Varner III, Ben Simmons and Brian Kelley. SFC aspires to grow the sport by focusing on engaging fans through innovation and building Community.
About America250:
America250 is the national nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in celebrating and commemorating the Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is spearheaded by the congressionally-appointed U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and its sole-supporting nonprofit organization, America250.org, Inc., together known as America250. This multi-year effort kicked off with
America’s Invitation on July 4, 2023: a national public engagement campaign inviting all Americans to share their stories and their hopes and dreams for the future of this country. Leading up to July 4, 2026, America250 is working to provide opportunities for all Americans to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look to the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. To learn more, visit America250.org, and follow us on X, Instagram,Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
About Brian Kelley:
DIAMOND-selling superstar Brian Kelley enters the next chapter of a record- breaking, history-making career with new releases “Queen Of 30A,” “93 In The Keys” and “Bought A Boat,” following Sunshine State of Mind Season Two, Chapter One (Nashville South Records). Coming off SURF POST SESSIONS SPRING BREAK 2026 – live from the Tribe Kelley Surf Post in Grayton Beach, FL, which is owned by the Ormond Beach native and his wife Brittney – and after headlining the SUNSHINE STATE OF MIND TOUR, Kelley continues to diversify his thriving enterprise with collaborations including Tribe Kelley (with Brittney), Papa Surf Burger Bar (with Brittney; Jason and Brittany Aldean; Tom and Chris Glavine), and a partnership with Real American Beer. He is also a proud co-owner of the Gulf Coast Cowboys Angling Club – a professional sportfishing team of Sport Fishing Championship league. First known as the Florida half of the GRAMMY-nominated Florida Georgia Line, the ACM Breakout Artist of the Decade Award recipients garnered 19 career #1s and became the first and only duo to achieve two RIAA DIAMOND singles in Country music history (#1s: 16X PLATINUM “Cruise” and 14X PLATINUM “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha). Surpassing 17 billion global streams, selling more than 40 million tracks and 4.8 million albums worldwide, plus playing to over 4 million fans, FGL has been honored by AMA, Billboard, CMA, and CMT Music Awards, as well as having a Florida Georgia Line: Mix It Up Strong exhibit at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.