Players getting unified of purpose before the game
2018 Black College Football Classics
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, they are black cultural institutions. Though most of the football games are outstanding, the real show is the half time 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 all hotel rooms in a big city. So make your travel plans early!
SEPTEMBER
Labor Day Classic
9/01/18; Tuskegee University vs. Alabama State; Memphis, TN; http://pvpanthers.com
Jake Gaither Classic
9/01/18; Florida A&M vs. Fort Valley State; Tallahassee, FL; http://www.goldenbullsports.com
Union Bank & Trust Labor Day Classic
9/01/18; Norfolk State vs. Virginia State; Norfolk, VA;
Louis Crews Classic
9/01/18; Alabama A&M vs. Miles; Huntsville, AL;
John Merritt Classic
9/01/18; Bethune-Cookman vs. Tennessee State; Nashville, TN; http://www.merrittclassic.com
MEAC-SWAC Challenge
9/02/18; Prairie View A&M vs. North Carolina Central; Atlanta, GA; http://espnevents.com/meac-swac/
Southern Heritage Classic
9/08/18; Tennessee State vs. Jackson State; Memphis, TN; http://www.southernheritageclassic.com
Winston-Salem Classic
9/08/18; Winston-Salem State vs. Catawba; Winston-Salem, NC;
Bayou Classic
9/08/18; Tuskegee vs. Albany State; Phenix City, AL;
Eddie McGirt Classic
9/08/18; Johnson C. Smith vs. Benedict; Charlotte, NC;
Okefenokee Classic
9/08/18; Fort Valley State vs. Valdosta State; Waycross, GA;
Whitewater Classic
9/08/18; Tuskegee vs. Albany State; Albany, GA
Down East Viking Football Classic
9/15/18; Elizabeth City State vs. Winston-State State; Rocky Mount, NC; http://www.ecsu.edu/events
Circle City Classic
9/22/18; Howard vs. Bethune-Cookman; Indianapolis, IN; http://www.circlecityclassic.com
Palmetto Capital City Classic
9/23/18; Fort Valley State vs. Benedict; Columbia, SC; http://www.palmettoccc.com
Chicago Football Classic
9/22/18; Morehouse vs. Miles; Chicago, IL; http://www.chicagofootballclassic.biz
West End Classic
9/22/18; Livingstone College vs. Lincoln (PA); Salisbury, NC; http://bluebearathletics.com/
Gulf Coast Challenge
9/22/18; Alabama A&M vs. Southern; Mobile, AL;
W.C. Gorden Classic
9/29/18; Jackson State vs. Alabama A&M; Jackson, MS;
State Fair Classic
9/29/18; Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M; Dallas, TX;
A typical Battle of the Bands show at Black College Football Classics
OCTOBER
Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic
10/06/18; Tuskegee vs. Morehouse; Columbus, GA; http://www.tuskegee-morehouse.com
Magic City Classic
10/27/18; Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M; Birmingham, AL; http://www.themagiccityclassic.com
NOVEMBER
Commemorative Classic
11/03/18; Johnson C. Smith vs. Livingstone; Charlotte, NC; http://commemorativeclassic.net
Raleigh Classic
11/03/18; Shaw vs. St. Augustine’s; Raleigh, NC
http://www.shawbears.com/sports/fball/
Fountain City Classic
11/03/18; Albany State vs. Fort Valley State; Columbus, GA; http://www.fvsusports.com
Florida Classic
11/17/18; Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman; Orlando, FL; http://www.floridaclassic.org
Turkey Day Classic
11/22/18; Alabama State vs. Mississippi Valley State; Montgomery, AL; http://www.bamastatesports.com
Bayou Classic
11/24/18; Grambling State vs. Southern; New Orleans, LA; http://www.mybayouclassic.com
SIAC Football Championship; TBD; http://www.thesiac.com
CIAA Football Championship; TBD; http://www.theciaa.com
DECEMBER
SWAC Football Championship; TBD; Houston, TX; http://www.swac.org
Black College Football Classics page will be updated at the season progresses.
