The 2026‑27 college football season will be a historic one for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, with ESPN announcing a schedule that features nearly one hundred contests beginning in late August.
Kicking off on August 29, the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta will pit Alabama A&M against Howard, setting the tone for a year packed with classic rivalries and high‑stakes matchups.
Throughout the fall, ESPN will broadcast the action on a suite of its networks — including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, the SEC and ACC Networks — while streaming will be available on the ESPN App and ESPN+.
Signature events and championship moments
Signature events such as the Cricket Celebration Bowl on December 12, the SIAC Championship on November 14 on ESPNU, and the SWAC Championship on December 5 on ESPN2 will showcase the best of HBCU football, culminating in the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 27 on NFL Network.
Rivalry staples like the Birmingham Football Classic and the Magic City Classic will be woven into the schedule, underscoring the cultural significance of these contests. The postseason will crown a national champion through the Celebration Bowl, and every game will be accessible via the ESPN App.