2025 Black College Football Classics
Morgan State University football team
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 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!
2025 Black College Football Classic Dates & Locations
AUGUST
MEAC/SWAC Challenge
8/23/25; Southern vs. North Carolina Central; Atlanta, GA; https://www.meacswacchallenge.com
Labor Day Classic
8/30/25; Texas Southern vs. Prairie View; Houston, TX; https://www.profootballhof.com/
John Merritt Classic
8/30/25; North Carolina A&T at Tennessee State; Nashville, TN; https://tsutigers.com
Orange Blossom Classic
8/30/25; Florida A&M vs. Howard; Miami Gardens, FL; https://www.orangeblossomclassic.com
Grambling majorettes at the game; (c) Soul Of America
Red Tails Classic
8/31/25; Tuskegee vs. Winston-Salem State; Montgomery, AL; https://montgomerykickoffgames.com/redtailsclassic/
Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic
8/31/25; Virginia Union vs. Miles; Canton, OH; https://www.profootballhof.com/
SEPTEMBER
Pete Richardson Classic
9/06/25; Alabama State vs. Southern; Baton Rouge, LA; https://gojagsports.com/sports/football
Battle for Greater Baltimore
9/06/25; Morgan State vs. Towson; Baltimore, MD; https://morganstatebears.com/sports/football
Lewis Crews Classic
9/06/25; Alcorn State vs. Alabama A&M; Huntsville, AL; https://aamusports.com/sports/football
W.C. Gorden Classic
9/13/25; Tuskegee vs. Jackson State; Jackson, MS; https://gojsutigers.com/sports/football
HBCU New York Football Classic
9/13/25; Morehouse vs. Howard; East Rutherford, NJ; https://hubison.com/sports/football
Legacy Series
9/13/25; Alabama A&M @ Tennessee State; Nashville, TN
Aggie-Eagle Classic
9/20/25; North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T; Greensboro, NC; https://nccueaglepride.com/sports/football
Battle for the Real HU
9/20/25; Howard vs. Hampton; Washington, DC; https://hamptonpirates.com/sports/football
Boombox Classic
9/27/25; Jackson State vs. Southern; Baton Rouge, LA; https://gojsutigers.com/sports/football
Southern Heritage Classic
9/27/25; Alcorn State vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff; Memphis, TN; https://southernheritageclassic.com
State Fair Classic
9/27/25; Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M; Dallas, TX; https://www.statefairclassicfootball.com
Circle City Classic:
9/27/25; Morgan State vs. Miles; Indianapolis, IN; https://circlecityclassic.com
OCTOBER
Battle of the Bay
10/04/25; Norfolk State vs. Hampton; Norfolk, VA; https://nsuspartans.com/sports/football
Gulf Coast Challenge
10/04/25; Jackson State vs. Alabama A&M; Mobile, AL; https://www.thegulfcoastchallenge.com
Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic
10/04/25; Tuskegee vs. Morehouse on October; Columbus, GA; https://morehouseathletics.com/sports/football/
Magic City Classic
10/25/25; Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M; Birmingham, AL; https://bamastatesports.com/sports/football
Las Vegas HBCU Classic
10/25/25; Grambling vs. Jackson State, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV; https://www.allegiantstadium.com/events/detail/lvhbcuclassic
NOVEMBER
Fountain City Classic
11/08/25; Fort Valley State vs. Albany State, Columbus, GA; https://fountaincityclassic.com
Port City Classic
11/15/25; Alabama State vs. Mississippi Valley State; Mobile, AL; https://www.mobilesportsauthority.com/2025-port-city-football-classic/
CIAA Football Championship
11/15/25; Salem, VA; https://theciaa.com/tournaments/
Soul Bowl
11/22/25; Jackson State vs. Alcorn State; Jackson, MS; https://alcornsports.com/sports/football
Florida Classic
11/22/25; Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman; Orlando, FL; https://floridaclassic.org
Turkey Day Classic
11/27/25; Tuskegee vs. Alabama State; Montgomery, AL; https://bamastatesports.com/sports/football
Bayou Classic
11/29/25; Grambling State vs. Southern; New Orleans, LA; https://mybayouclassic.com
DECEMBER
SWAC Football Championship
12/06/25; Location TBD; https://swac.org
Celebration Bowl
12/13/25; SWAC Champion vs. MEAC Champion; Atlanta, GA; https://www.thecelebrationbowl.com