Join the Pepsi Challenge at Gulf Coast Jam

May 30, 2025

by Acceleration

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – The iconic Pepsi Challenge, celebrating its 50th anniversary, kicked off yesterday at Frank Brown Park during the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, inviting festival-goers to rediscover the bold, refreshing taste of Pepsi Zero Sugar. Running from May 29 to June 1, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily, this multi-market tour stop at 16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy combines the thrill of live country music with a nostalgic blind taste test pitting Pepsi Zero Sugar against its rival, Coke Zero Sugar.

A Legacy of Taste

First launched in 1975, the Pepsi Challenge became a cultural phenomenon, inviting consumers to compare Pepsi against its competitors in a blind taste test. Now, five decades later, Pepsi is reviving the challenge to spotlight Pepsi Zero Sugar, a zero-calorie cola crafted for crisp, refreshing flavor. The Gulf Coast Jam, a four-day country music festival featuring headliners like Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt, Tyler Childers, and Blake Shelton, provides the perfect vibrant backdrop for this anniversary celebration.

How It Works

The Pepsi Challenge is simple yet engaging:

Blind Taste Test: Participants are handed two unmarked cups—one filled with Pepsi Zero Sugar, the other with Coke Zero Sugar.

Taste and Decide: Attendees take their time to savor each sip, comparing the bold, smooth taste of Pepsi Zero Sugar with its rival.

Make Your Choice: After tasting, participants vote for their favorite. Those who choose Pepsi Zero Sugar are greeted with a celebratory moment, complete with music, lights, or other surprises that amplify the festival energy.

Score Pepsi: Win or lose, every participant walks away with free Pepsi Zero Sugar, because, as Pepsi puts it, “even those with questionable taste deserve a second chance.”

This interactive experience adds a playful twist to the Gulf Coast Jam, encouraging attendees to engage their senses while enjoying the festival’s electric atmosphere.

Tickets

Tickets are required for entry to the Gulf Coast Jam, where the Pepsi Challenge is hosted. With performances running late into the evening, attendees can enjoy the taste test alongside concerts, food vendors, and the warm Gulf breeze. For those planning to attend, tickets are selling quickly, with options ranging from General Admission to Super VIP and Side Stage passes.

Join the Celebration

The Pepsi Challenge tour continues through October, with stops across multiple markets. For a full list of tour locations and dates, visit Pepsichallenge.com. Stay in the loop by following Pepsi on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube (@Pepsi) for real-time updates, exclusive content, and more.

Whether you’re a lifelong Pepsi fan or a curious first-timer, the Pepsi Challenge at Gulf Coast Jam is a chance to celebrate 50 years of bold flavor, good music, and great vibes. So grab a cup, take a sip, and see if you can taste the difference—because at the Pepsi Challenge, every choice is a refreshing one.