The Southwestern Athletic Conference unveiled its 2026 college football broadcast schedule on May 27, and Alabama State emerged as the conference's most featured program on ESPN's national platforms. The Hornets have locked in four ESPN-affiliated slots, the highest count for any SWAC team this cycle.
A Milestone for the SWAC
Two of those marquee matchups — the Birmingham Football Classic against Southern and the Magic City Classic versus Alabama A&M — will broadcast on ESPNU during Week 0, granting them a national audience. Additionally, Alabama State will stream on ESPN's digital platform when it travels to face Troy in September, further expanding its reach beyond traditional television.
The excitement surrounding these broadcasts is amplified by the team's recent on‑field resurgence. Coming off its best season in more than two decades, Alabama State returns quarterback Andrew Body, the reigning HBCU National Player of the Year, who originally entered the transfer portal before deciding to stay. Coach Eddie Robinson Jr., now in his fifth year at the helm, has expressed confidence that the increased exposure will fuel continued growth.
Beyond the regular‑season slate, the SWAC Football Championship will air on ESPN2, while the conference's Cricket Celebration Bowl is slated for ABC, ensuring that Alabama State's campaign could extend into prime‑time national events. This comprehensive coverage positions the Hornets as the flagship program for the SWAC on the national stage.
National Spotlight on HBCU Football
The heightened visibility reflects a broader trend of HBCU programs securing prominent slots within major collegiate conferences. For Alabama State, the upcoming season offers not only a chance to showcase talent to a wider audience but also an opportunity to attract recruits, sponsors, and institutional support that could shape the program's future trajectory.