2026 Black College Football Classics
Bayou Classic played annually at the Superdome in New Orleans; credit USCG
Black College Football Classics are unlike other football bowl games, such as the Rose Bowl or Orange Bowl. Accompanied by parades, concerts before the game, and alumni social events that often include golf tournaments. They are black cultural institutions. Though most of the football games are outstanding, the real show is the halftime Battle of the Bands. Savvy fans get their concession refills before Half Time.
Established classics attract large crowds of alumni, fans, pro scouts, national sports networks, and corporate sponsorships. Some classics fill up hotel rooms in the city. So make your travel plans early!
2026 Black College Football Classic Dates and Locations
AUGUST
MEAC/SWAC Challenge
8/29/26; Howard vs. Alabama A&M; Atlanta, GA; https://www.meacswacchallenge.com
John Merritt Classic
8/29/26; Jackson State at Tennessee State; Nashville, TN; https://tsutigers.com
Red Tails Classic
8/30/26; Tuskegee vs. West Alabama; Montgomery, AL; https://montgomerykickoffgames.com/redtailsclassic/
Grambling majorettes at the game; (c) Soul Of America
SEPTEMBER
Lewis Crews Classic
9/05/26; Miles College vs. Alabama A&M; Huntsville, AL; https://aamusports.com/sports/football
Pete Richardson Classic
9/05/26; Kentucky State vs. Southern; Baton Rouge, LA; https://gojagsports.com/sports/football
Port City Classic
9/05/26; Tuskegee vs. Fort Valley State; Mobile, AL; https://goldentigersports.com/sports/football
HOPE Labor Day Classic
9/05/26; Edward Waters at Jackson State; Jackson, MS; https://gojsutigers.com/sports/football
Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic
9/06/26; Albany State vs. Johnson C. Smith; Canton, OH; https://www.profootballhof.com/
Orange Blossom Classic
9/06/26; Florida A&M vs. South Carolina State; Miami Gardens, FL; https://www.orangeblossomclassic.com
SWAC Labor Day Classic
9/06/26; Texas Southern vs. Prairie View; Houston, TX; https://www.profootballhof.com/
Legacy Series
9/12/26; Alabama A&M @ Tennessee State; Huntsville, AL; https://aamusports.com/sports/football
Southern Heritage Classic
9/12/26; Alcorn State vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff; Memphis, TN; https://southernheritageclassic.com
Chicago Football Classic
9/12/26; Lincoln (PA) vs. Mississippi Valley State, Chicago, IL; https://www.chicagofootballclassic.org
Aggie-Eagle Classic
9/12/26; North Carolina A&T vs. North Carolina Central; Durham, NC; https://ncataggies.com/sports/football/schedule/2026
HBCU New York Football Classic
9/13/26; Morehouse vs. Howard; East Rutherford, NJ; https://hubison.com/sports/football
Morgan State University football team in action
Battle for Greater Baltimore
9/19/26; Morgan State vs. Towson; Towson, MD; https://morganstatebears.com/sports/football
W.C. Gorden Classic
9/19/26; Tuskegee vs. Jackson State; Jackson, MS; https://gojsutigers.com/sports/football
Battle of the Bay
9/19/26; Norfolk State vs. Hampton; Norfolk, VA; https://nsuspartans.com/sports/football
Boombox Classic
9/26/26; Jackson State vs. Southern; Baton Rouge, LA; https://gojsutigers.com/sports/football
State Fair Classic
9/26/26; Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M; Dallas, TX; https://www.statefairclassicfootball.com
OCTOBER
Truth and Service Classic
10/03/26; Howard vs. Hampton; Washington, DC; https://hamptonpirates.com/sports/football
Gulf Coast Challenge
10/03/26; Jackson State vs. Alabama A&M; Mobile, AL; https://www.thegulfcoastchallenge.com
Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic
10/03/26; Tuskegee vs. Morehouse; Montgomery, AL; https://morehouseathletics.com/sports/football/
Las Vegas HBCU Classic
10/25/26; Grambling State vs. Jackson State Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV; https://www.allegiantstadium.com/events/detail/lvhbcuclassic
Magic City Classic
10/31/26; Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M; Birmingham, AL; https://bamastatesports.com/sports/football
NOVEMBER
Fountain City Classic
11/07/26; Fort Valley State vs. Albany State, Columbus, GA; https://fountaincityclassic.com
CIAA Football Championship
11/14/26; Teams TBD; Durham, NC; https://theciaa.com/tournaments/
Soul Bowl
11/21/26; Jackson State vs. Alcorn State; Lorman, MS; https://alcornsports.com/sports/football
Florida Classic
11/21/26; Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman; Orlando, FL; https://floridaclassic.org
Turkey Day Classic
11/26/26; Tuskegee vs. Alabama State; Montgomery, AL; https://bamastatesports.com/sports/football
Bayou Classic
11/28/26; Grambling State vs. Southern; New Orleans, LA; https://mybayouclassic.com
DECEMBER
SWAC Football Championship
12/05/26; Highest-seeded Team Location TBD; https://swac.org
Celebration Bowl
12/12/26; HBCU National Championship; Atlanta, GA; https://www.thecelebrationbowl.com