Grambling majorettes at the game; (c) Soul Of America

2024 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 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!

2024 Black College Football Classics Dates & Locations

AUGUST

Labor Day Classic
8/31/24; Texas Southern vs. Prairie View; Prairie View, TX; https://www.profootballhof.com/

John Merritt Classic
8/31/24; Mississippi Valley State at Tennessee State; Nashville, TN; https://tsutigers.com

SEPTEMBER

Red Tails Classic
9/01/24; Tuskegee vs. Johnson C. Smith; Montgomery, AL; https://montgomerykickoffgames.com/redtailsclassic/

Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic
9/01/24; Virginia State vs. Benedict; Canton OH; https://www.profootballhof.com/

Orange Blossom Classic
9/04/24; North Carolina Central vs. Alabama State; Miami Gardens, FL; https://www.orangeblossomclassic.com

W.C. Gorden Classic
9/05/24; Lane vs. Jackson State; Jackson, MS; https://gojsutigers.com/sports/football

Pete Richardson Classic
9/07/24; Savannah State vs. Southern; Baton Rouge, LA; https://gojagsports.com/sports/football

Battle for Greater Baltimore
9/07/24; Morgan State vs. Towson; Towson, MD; https://morganstatebears.com/sports/football

Lewis Crews Classic
9/07/24; Kentucky State vs. Alabama A&M; Huntsville, AL; https://aamusports.com/sports/football

Battle of the Bay
9/14/24; Norfolk State vs. Hampton; Norfolk, VA; https://nsuspartans.com/sports/football

Boombox Classic
9/14/24; Jackson State vs. Southern; Jackson, MS; https://gojsutigers.com/sports/football

HBCU New York Football Classic
9/14/24; Morehouse vs. Howard; East Rutherford, NJ; https://hubison.com/sports/football

Southern Heritage Classic
9/14/24; Tennessee State vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff; Memphis, TN; https://southernheritageclassic.com

Aggie-Eagle Classic
9/21/24; North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T; Durham, NC; https://nccueaglepride.com/sports/football

Battle for the Real HU
9/21/24; Howard vs. Hampton; Hampton, VA; https://hamptonpirates.com/sports/football

State Fair Classic
9/28/24; Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M; Dallas, TX; https://www.statefairclassicfootball.com

OCTOBER

Gulf Coast Challenge
10/05/24; Jackson State vs. Alabama A&M; Mobile, AL; https://www.thegulfcoastchallenge.com

Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic
10/05/24; Tuskegee vs. Morehouse on October; Columbus, GA; https://morehouseathletics.com/sports/football/

Magic City Classic
10/26/24; Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M; Birmingham, AL; https://bamastatesports.com/sports/football

NOVEMBER

Fountain City Classic
11/09/24; Fort Valley State vs. Albany State, Columbus, GA

CIAA Football Championship
11/16/24; Salem, VA; https://theciaa.com/tournaments/

Soul Bowl
11/23/24; Jackson State vs. Alcorn State; Lorman, MS; https://alcornsports.com/sports/football

Florida Classic
11/23/24; Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman; Orlando, FL; https://floridaclassic.org

Turkey Day Classic
11/28/24; Tuskegee vs. Alabama State; Montgomery, AL; https://bamastatesports.com/sports/football

Bayou Classic
11/30/24; Grambling State vs. Southern; New Orleans, LA; https://mybayouclassic.com

DECEMBER

SWAC Football Championship
12/21/24; Location TBD; https://swac.org

Celebration Bowl
12/17/24; SWAC Champion vs. MEAC Champion; Atlanta, GA; https://www.thecelebrationbowl.com

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