A history of every HBCU football classic

Every year HBCU football teams around the country play in games known as "classics," showcasing the sport at select venues and even highlighting historic rivalries. Here's a look at the history of some of HBCU football's premier classic games.

All stats and records are updated through the 2024 college football season

Celebration Bowl

Location: Atlanta, GA
First game: 2015
Most recent result: 2024 — Jackson State def. South Carolina State 28-7

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
North Carolina A&T	4-0	1.00
Florida A&M	1-0	1.00
South Carolina State	1-1	.500
North Carolina Central	1-1	.500
Grambling State	1-1	.500
Jackson State	1-2	.333
Howard	0-1	0.00
Alcorn State	0-3	0.00

Notable games

• 2024 Celebration Bowl
• 2023 Celebration Bowl
• 2022 Celebration Bowl
• 2021 Celebration Bowl

MEAC/SWAC Challenge

Location: Atlanta, GA
First game: 2005
Most recent result: 2024 — Florida A&M def. Norfolk State 24-23

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Bethune-Cookman, Southern	3-0	1.00
South Carolina State	3-2	.600
Florida A&M	2-1	.667
North Carolina A&T	1-0	1.00
Hampton, North Carolina Central, Prairie View A&M	1-1	.500
Alabama State, Jackson State	1-2	.333
Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Delaware State, Howard, Mississippi Valley State, Norfolk State	0-1	0.00
Grambling State	0-2	0.00

Notable games

• Click or tap here for 16 of the best MEAC/SWAC Challenge moments
• 2021 MEAC/SWAC Challenge
• 2022 MEAC/SWAC Challenge
• 2023 MEAC/SWAC Challenge
• 2024 MEAC/SWAC Challenge

Bayou Classic

Location: New Orleans, LA
Teams: Southern vs. Grambling State
First game: 1974
Most recent result: 2024 — Southern def. Grambling State 24-14

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Southern	27-24	.529
Grambling State	24-27	.471

Notable games

• Click or tap here to see memorable moments, all-time history of the Bayou Classic

Florida Classic

Location: Orlando, FL
Teams: Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M
First game: 1978
Most recent result: 2024 — Florida A&M def. Bethune-Cookman 41-38

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Florida A&M	26-19	.577
Bethune-Cookman	19-26	.422

Notable games

• Click or tap here to see memorable moments, all-time history of the Florida Classic

Orange Blossom Classic

Location: Miami, FL
Team: Florida A&M
First game: 1933
Most recent result: 2024 — North Carolina Central def. Alabama State 31-24

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record		Win PCT
Florida A&M	27-22-1		.550
Prairie View A&M	4-1		.800
Jackson State	3-2		.600
Morgan State	2-0		1.00
Grambling State	2-3		.400
Alcorn State, Jacksonville State, Lincoln (PA) North Carolina A&T, Virginia Union	1-0		1.00
North Carolina Central, Wiley	1-1		.500
Central State (OH)	1-1-1		.500
Hampton, Kentucky State, Virginia State	1-2		.333
Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Delaware State, Langston, South Carolina State, Tennessee State, Texas College, Tuskegee	0-1		0.00
Howard, Maryland-Eastern Shore	0-2		0.00

Notable games

• 2022 — Jackson State routs Florida A&M 59-3
• 2023 — Florida A&M defeats Jackson State 28-10

Florida Beach Bowl

Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
First game: 2023
Most recent result: 2023 — Fort Valley State def. Johnson C. Smith 23-10

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Fort Valley State	1-0	1.00
Johnson C. Smith	0-1	0.00

Labor Day Classic

Location: Montgomery, AL
Team: Alabama State
First game: 2017
Most recent result: 2023 — Alabama State def Southern 14-10

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Alabama State	5-1	.833
Tuskegee	1-0	1.00
Miles	0-4	0.00
Southern	0-1	0.00

Labor Day Classic

Teams: Prairie View A&M vs. Texas Southern
First game: 1985
Most recent result: 2024 — Texas Southern def. Prairie View A&M 27-9

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Texas Southern	21-18	.538
Prairie View A&M	18-20	.474
Hampton	0-1	0.00

Aggie-Eagle Classic

Teams: North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T 
First game: 1922
Most recent result: 2024 — North Carolina Central def. North Carolina A&T 66-24

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
North Carolina A&T	55–37–5	.593
North Carolina Central	37-55-5	.407

Pete Richardson Classic

Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Team: Southern
First game: 2018
Most recent result: 2024 — Southern def. Savannah State 42-10

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Southern	5-1	.833
Jackson State	1-0	1.00
Florida Memorial	0-1	0.00
Miles	0-1	0.00
Edward Waters	0-1	0.00
Langston	0-1	0.00
Savannah State	0-1	0.00

Southern Heritage Classic

Location: Memphis, TN
Team: Tennessee State
First game: 1990
Most recent result: 2024 — Tennessee State def. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 41-28

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Tennessee State	19-14	.576
Jackson State	12-17	.414
Mississippi Valley State	1-0	1.00
Grambling State	1-0	1.00
Arkansas-Pine Bluff	0-1	0.00

Jake Gaither Classic

Location: Tallahassee, FL
Team: Florida A&M
First game: 2017
Most recent result: 2022 — Florida A&M def. Albany State 23-13

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Florida A&M	4-0	1.00
Albany State	0-1	0.00
Texas Southern	0-1	0.00
Fort Valley State	0-2	0.00

Battle of the Bay

Teams: Norfolk State vs. Hampton
First game: 1963
Most recent result: 2024 — Hampton def. Norfolk State 37-7

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Norfolk State	28-28-1	.500
Hampton	28-28-1	.500

HBCU New York Football Classic

Location: East Rutherford, NJ
First game: 2022
Most recent result: 2024 — Howard def. Morehouse 35-21

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Howard	2-0	1.00
Albany State	1-0	1.00
Morehouse	0-3	0.00

Turkey Day Classic

Location: Montgomery, AL
Team: Alabama State
First game: 1924
Most recent result: 2024 — Alabama State def. Tuskegee 34-6

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Tuskegee	49-36-3	.574
Alabama State	45-52-3	.465
Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Prairie View A&M	1-0	1.00
Mississippi Valley State	1-1	.500
Edward Waters, Fayetteville State	0-1	0.00
Johnson C. Smith, Miles, Stillman	0-2	0.00

Louis Crews Classic

Location: Huntsville, AL
Team: Alabama A&M
First game: 2010
Most recent result: 2024 — Alabama A&M def.Kentucky State 49-7

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Alabama A&M	10-4	.714
Tuskegee	1-4	.200
Austin Peay, Prairie View A&M	1-0	1.00
Arkansas-Pine Bluff	1-1	.500
Central State, Kentucky State, Miles, Lane, South Carolina State, Texas Southern	0-1	0.00
Grambling State	0-2	0.00

Arlington Football Showdown

Location: Arlington, TX
Teams: Southern vs. Texas Southern
First game: 2021
Most recent result: 2022 — Texas Southern def. Southern 24-0

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Texas Southern	2-0	1.00
Southern	0-2	0.00

John Merritt Classic

Location: Nashville, TN
Team: Tennessee State
First game: 1999
Most recent result: 2024 — Tennessee State def. Mississippi Valley State 41-21

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Tennessee State	4-1	.800
Alabama A&M	4-2	.667
Eastern Illinois, Lane	1-0	1.00
Bethune-Cookman	1-1	.500
Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Edward Waters, Florida A&M, Gardner-Webb, Kentucky State, Prairie View A&M, South Carolina State	0-1	0.00
Mississippi Valley State, Southern	0-2	0.00
Alabama State	0-4	0.00

State Fair Classic

Location: Dallas, TX
Teams: Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M
First game: 1925
Most recent result: 2024 — Prairie View A&M def. Grambling State 36-34 (5OT)

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Prairie View A&M	44-46-4	.489
Grambling State	28-12	.700
Wiley	8-22-5	.300
Bishop	9-8	.529
Langston	2-0-2	.750
Tennessee State	2-0	1.00
North Carolina A&T	1-0	1.00
Elizabeth City State	0-1	0.00
Texas Southern	0-3	0.00

Truth & Service Classic

Location: Washington, D.C.
Team: Howard
First game: 2021
Most recent result: 2024 — Hampton def. Howard 27-20

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Hampton	3-0	1.00
Harvard	1-0	1.00
Howard	0-4	0.00

BoomBox Classic

Teams: Southern vs. Jackson State
First game: 1929
Most recent result: 2024 — Jackson State def. Southern 41-13

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Southern	35-35	.500
Jackson State	35-35	.500

Magic City Classic

Location: Birmingham, AL
Teams: Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M
First game: 1940
Most recent result: 2024 — Alabama State def. Alabama A&M 27-19

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Alabama A&M	41-37-4	.524
Alabama State	37-41-4	.476

Soul Bowl — Capital City Classic

Teams: Jackson State vs. Alcorn State
First game: 1927
Most recent result: 2024 — Jackson State def. Alcorn State 48-10

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Jackson State	49-38-2	.562
Alcorn State	38-49-2	.438

W.C. Gorden Classic

Team: Jackson State
First game: 2008
Most recent result: 2023 — Jackson State def. Bethune-Cookman 22-16

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Jackson State	10-6	.625
Grambling State	3-1	.750
Alabama A&M, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Southern	1-0	1.00
Alabama State, Bethune-Cookman, Concordia, Edward Waters, Florida A&M, Stillman, Texas Southern	0-1	0.00
Delta State	0-2	0.00

Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic

Location: Canton, OH
First game: 2019
Most recent result: 2024 — Virginia State def. Benedict 23-7

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Alabama A&M, Central State, Grambling State, Virginia State, Virginia Union	1-0	1.00
Benedict, Tennessee State, Winston-Salem State	0-1	0.00
Morehouse	0-2	0.00

Red Tails Classic

Location: Montgomery, AL
Teams: Tuskegee
First game: 2021
Most recent result: 2024 — Johnson C. Smith def. Tuskegee 21-13

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Johnson C. Smith	1-0	1.00
Fort Valley State	2-1	.670
Tuskegee	1-3	.250

Fountain City Classic

Location: Columbus, GA
Teams: Fort Valley State vs. Albany State
First game: 1989
Most recent result: 2024 — Albany State def. Fort Valley State 20-15

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Albany State	26-9	.743
Fort Valley State	9-26	.257

Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic

Location: Birmingham, AL
Teams: Morehouse vs. Tuskegee
First game: 1902
Most recent result: 2024 — Tuskegee def. Morehouse 42-0

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Tuskegee	75-30-7	.701
Morehouse	30-75-7	.299

Down East Viking Football Classic

Location: Rocky Mount, NC
Team: Elizabeth City State
First game: 1998
Most recent result: 2024 — Fayetteville State def. Elizabeth City State 31-7

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Elizabeth City State	10-14	.417
Fayetteville State	8-2	.800
Benedict, Shaw, Winston-Salem State	1-0	1.00
Livingstone, North Carolina Central	1-1	.500
Saint Augustine's	1-3	.250
Chowan, Morehouse	0-1	0.00

Eddie C. McGirt Classic

Location: Charlotte, NC
Team: Johnson C. Smith
First game: 2013
Most recent result: 2024 — Johnson C. Smith def. Lincoln (PA) 52-6

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Johnson C. Smith	4-3	.571
Walsh (OH)	1-0	1.00
Bowie State, Lincoln (PA)	1-1	.500
Elizabeth City State, Kentucky State	0-1	.000

Gulf Coast Challenge

Location: Mobile, AL
Team: Alabama A&M
First game: 2018
Most recent result: 2024 — Jackson State def. Alabama A&M 45-38

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Jackson State	3-0	1.00
Southern	1-0	1.00
Alabama A&M	2-4	.333
Central State, Tuskegee	0-1	0.00

Circle City Classic

Location: Indianapolis, IN
First game: 1984
Most recent result: 2024 — North Carolina Central def. Norfolk State 37-10

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Kentucky State	6-1	.857
Central State	4-4	.500
Alcorn State, North Carolina Central	3-0	1.00
Mississippi Valley State	2-1	.670
Florida A&M	2-2-1	.500
Alabama A&M, North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State	2-2	.500
Tennessee State	2-5	.400
Albany State, Winston-Salem State	1-0	1.00
Tuskegee	1-1	.500
Grambling State	1-2	.333
Howard	1-3	.250
Jackson State	1-3-1	.300
Alabama State, Benedict, Norfolk State	0-1	0.00
Bethune-Cookman, Hampton, Southern	0-2	0.00

Commemorative Classic

Teams: Livingstone vs. Johnson C. Smith
First game: 1892
Most recent result: 2024 — Livingstone def. Johnson C. Smith 15-10

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Johnson C. Smith	49-34-3	.587
Livingstone	34-49-3	.413

Raleigh Classic

Teams: Saint Augustine's vs. Shaw
First game: 2016
Most recent result: 2023 — Shaw def. Saint Augustine's 21-14

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Shaw	4-3	.571
Saint Augustine's	3-4	.429

Heritage Bowl

Location: Atlanta, GA
First game: 1991
Most recent result: 1999 — Hampton def. Southern 24-3

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Southern	4-2	.667
Grambling State	1-1	.500
South Carolina State	1-2	.333
Alabama State, Hampton, Howard	1-0	1.00
Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina A&T	0-1	0.00
Florida A&M	0-2	0.00

Pelican Bowl

Location: New Orleans, LA
First game: 1972
Most recent result: 1975 — Southern def. South Carolina State 15-12

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Grambling State	2-0	1.00
Southern	1-0	1.00
North Carolina Central	0-1	0.00
South Carolina State	0-2	0.00

Two Rivers Classic

Teams: Fayetteville State vs. UNC-Pembroke
First game: 2009
Most recent result: 2024 — Fayetteville State def. UNC-Pembroke 35-31

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
UNC-Pembroke	9-2	.818
Fayetteville State	2-9	.182

Willard Bailey Classic

Location: Richmond, VA
Team: Virginia Union
First game: 2017
Most recent result: 2024 — Virginia Union def. Shaw 42-7

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Virginia Union	4-3	.571
Carson-Newman, Fayetteville State, Winston-Salem State	1-0	1.000
Johnson C. Smith, Shaw	0-1	0.00
Virginia University of Lynchburg	0-2	0.00

L. Douglas Wilder Classic

Teams: Virginia Union vs. Virginia State
First game: 2022
Most recent result: 2023 — Virginia Union def. Virginia State 30-20

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Virginia Union	2-0	1.00
Virginia State	0-2	0.00

Palmetto Capital City Classic

Team: Benedict
First game: 2002
Most recent result: 2018 — Benedict def. Fort Valley State 28-20

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Benedict	8-9	.471
South Carolina State	5-0	1.00
Virginia State, Virginia Union	1-0	1.00
Morehouse	1-1	.500
Livingstone	1-3	.250
Fort Valley State, Johnson C. Smith, Savannah State, West Virginia State	0-1	0.00

Carolinas Classic

Team: Benedict
First game: 2019
Most recent result: 2023 — Benedict def. Shaw 52-0

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Benedict	3-1	.750
Johnson C. Smith	1-0	1.00
Allen (SC), Elizabeth City State, Shaw	0-1	0.00

Chicago Football Classic

Location: Chicago, IL
First game: 1997
Most recent result: 2023 — Central State def. Mississippi Valley State 24-21

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Morehouse	3-0	1.00
Grambling State, Hampton, Jackson State,	2-0	1.00
Alcorn State, Southern	2-1	.667
Mississippi Valley State	2-5	.286
Albany State, , Morgan State, Texas Southern, West Virginia State	1-0	1.00
Alabama A&M, Clark Atlanta	1-1	.500
Arkansas-Pine Bluff	1-2	.333
Central State	1-4	.200
Alabama State, Kentucky State, Miles, Virginia State	0-1	0.00
Howard	0-4	0.00

5th Quarter Classic

Location: Mobile, AL
First game: 2016
Most recent result: 2017 — Tuskegee def. Jackson State 33-7

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Tuskegee	2-0	1.00
Florida A&M, Jackson State	0-1	0.00

White Water Classic

Location: Phenix City, AL
First game: 2014
Most recent result: 2019 — Tuskegee def. Lane 29-10

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Tuskegee	4-1	.800
Albany State	1-4	.200
Lane	0-1	0.00

AT&T Nation's Football Classic

Location: Washington, D.C
First game: 2014
Most recent result: 2015 — Hampton def. Howard 37-19

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Howard	4-1	.800
Hampton	1-0	1.00
Morehouse	0-1	0.00

Brick City Classic

Location: Harrison, NJ
First game: 2023
Most recent result: 2023 — Hampton def. Grambling State 35-31

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Hampton	1-0	1.00
Grambling State	0-1	0.00

Port City Classic

Location: Mobile, AL
First game: 2023
Most recent result: 2024 — Alabama State def. Alcorn State 21-17

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Alabama State	2-0	1.00
Alcorn State, Grambling State	0-1	0.00

Coastal City Classic

Location: Brunswick, GA
First game: 2023
Most recent result: 2023 — Albany State def. Savannah State 15-12

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Albany State	1-0	1.00
Savannah State	0-1	0.00

Frederick Douglas Classic

Location: Rochester, NY
First game: 2024
Most recent result: 2024 — Albany State def. Central State 28-7

All-time win-loss record by team

Team	Record	Win PCT
Albany State	1-0	1.00
Central State	0-1	0.00

Other notable classics

Here are some other notable classics from throughout HBCU football history that no longer exist:

• New York Urban League Classic (1968-2012)
• Gateway Classic (1994-2010)
• Textile Football Classic
• Detroit Football Classic