A New Era of Birmingham Football
The 2026 college football season in Birmingham opens with the inaugural Birmingham Football Classic, a showdown between Alabama State University and Southern University scheduled for August 29 at the historic Legion Field. The game marks the first meeting of the two programs in the Magic City and sets the tone for a year packed with rivalry and pageantry.
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) begins its campaign with a league opener against Illinois on September 3, followed by a home contest against Louisiana‑Monroe at Protective Stadium on September 12. The Blazers will also host Navy on September 25 and close the regular season with a Homecoming clash against Western Carolina on November 14, a game that traditionally draws a massive crowd to the campus.
Samford’s Red‑Out Celebration
Samford University will unveil new head coach John Grass with a ‘red out’ celebration for the first home game of the season against Southern Illinois on September 3. The event honors the legacy of coach Bobby Bowden and signals a fresh direction for the Bulldogs.
Miles College, coming off a 3‑8 record in 2025, opens its season with a road trip to Alcorn State and a home matchup against Edwards Waters on September 12. The Golden Bears hope to build on early momentum as they aim for a turnaround.
The Magic City Classic, slated for October 31, will bring together Alabama A&M and Alabama State in a contest that historically attracts over 200,000 fans nationwide and commemorates the 99th anniversary of Legion Field. The game is expected to be a centerpiece of the city’s fall sports calendar.