A New Staple for HBCU Football
The first ever Birmingham Classic will open its doors at Legion Field on August 29, bringing together Alabama State and Southern in a landmark HBCU football showdown.
The event is the culmination of a two-year agreement between the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the city of Birmingham, a partnership that earned the backing of Mayor Randall Woodfin and the Birmingham City Council.
From 2026 onward, ESPNU will carry the game nationally, a deal that officials say could set a template for future non-conference matchups across the league.
Alabama State athletic director Jason Cable expressed optimism that the Classic could become a model for future games, while SWAC commissioner Charles McClelland confirmed the contract and highlighted the excitement it will generate for the conference and the city.