2019 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!

AUGUST

John Merritt Classic
8/31/19; Mississippi Valley State vs. Tennessee State; Nashville, TN; http://www.merrittclassic.com

SEPTEMBER

MEAC-SWAC Challenge
9/01/19; Bethune-Cookman vs. Jackson State; Atlanta, GA; http://espnevents.com/meac-swac/

Jake Gaither Classic
9/01/19; Florida A&M vs. Fort Valley State; Tallahassee, FL; http://www.goldenbullsports.com

Atlantic Union Bank Battle of the States
9/07/19; Norfolk State vs. Virginia State; Norfolk, VA; https://nsuspartans.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=170

Labor Day Classic
9/07/19; Tuskegee University vs. Alabama State; Memphis, TN; http://pvpanthers.com

Louis Crews Classic
9/07/19; Alabama A&M vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff; Huntsville, AL; weblink

Southern Heritage Classic
9/14/19; Tennessee State vs. Jackson State; Memphis, TN; http://www.southernheritageclassic.com

Chicago Football Classic
9/14/19; Howard vs. Hampton; Chicago, IL; http://www.chicagofootballclassic.biz

Eddie McGirt Classic
9/14/19; Johnson C. Smith vs. Benedict; Charlotte, NC; https://goldenbullsports.com/index.aspx?path=football

West End Classic
9/14/19; Livingstone College vs. Elizabeth City State; Salisbury, NC; http://bluebearathletics.com/

Augusta City Classic
9/21/19; Benedict vs. Savannah State; Augusta, GA; https://www.facebook.com/AugustaCityClassic/

Lucille Brown Youth Bowl
9/28/19; Virginia Union vs. Winston-Salem State; Richmond, VA; https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGE_P5WJ6F9FwhycdmrV8FTSg9h99S1hUUsk8vkrtZOBfvmg/viewform

Down East Viking Football Classic
9/28/19; Elizabeth City State vs. Florida State; Rocky Mount, NC; http://www.ecsu.edu/events

Circle City Classic
9/28/19; Kentucky State vs. Jackson State; Indianapolis, IN; http://www.circlecityclassic.com

Upstate HBCU Classic
9/28/19; Fort Valley State vs. Benedict; Columbia, SC; https://www.benedict.edu/mec-category/football/

Gulf Coast Challenge
9/28/19; Alabama A&M vs. Central State; Mobile, AL; https://aamusports.com/news/2019/3/14/alabama-am-releases-2019-football-schedule.aspx

State Fair Classic
9/28/19; Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M; Dallas, TX; https://www.dallassports.org/microsites/state-fair-classic/index.html

OCTOBER

Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic
10/12/19; Tuskegee vs. Morehouse; Columbus, GA; http://www.tuskegee-morehouse.com

State Fair Showdown
10/19/19; Texas Southern vs. Southern; Dallas, TX; http://statefairshowdown.com/

Whitewater Classic
10/26/19; Tuskegee vs. Lane; Phenix City, AL; https://pcwhitewaterclassic.com

Magic City Classic
10/26/19; Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M; Birmingham, AL; http://www.themagiccityclassic.com

NOVEMBER

Commemorative Classic
11/09/19; Johnson C. Smith vs. Livingstone; Charlotte, NC; http://commemorativeclassic.net

Raleigh Classic
11/09/19; Shaw vs. St. Augustine’s; Raleigh, NC
http://www.shawbears.com/sports/fball/

Fountain City Classic
11/09/19; Albany State vs. Fort Valley State; Columbus, GA; http://www.fvsusports.com

CIAA Championship
11/16/19; CIAA North Champion vs. CIAA South Champion; Salem, VA

SIAC Championship
11/16/19; SIAC East Champion vs. SIAC West Champion; https://thesiac.com

Florida Classic
11/23/19; Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman; Orlando, FL; http://www.floridaclassic.org

Soul Bowl
11/23/19; Jackson State vs. Alcorn State; Jackson, MS; https://gojsutigers.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=17

St. Louis Heritage Classic
11/23/19; Kentucky State vs. Lincoln (MO); St. Louis, MO; https://www.facebook.com/events/362632164392855/

Turkey Day Classic
11/28/19; Alabama State vs. Prairie View A&M; Montgomery, AL; http://www.bamastatesports.com

Bayou Classic
11/30/19; Grambling State vs. Southern; New Orleans, LA; http://www.mybayouclassic.com

DECEMBER

SIAC Football Championship; TBD; http://www.thesiac.com

SWAC Football Championship
12/7/19; TBD; Houston, TX; http://www.swac.org

Celebration Bowl
12/21/19; SWAC Champion vs. MEAC Champion; Atlanta, GA; https://www.thecelebrationbowl.com