For many years, an HBCU football “classic” showdown has been a top event. Alumni can gather to celebrate at an even larger HBCU homecoming. Both homecomings and classics have historical significance and frequently include rivals facing off. These games excite players, fans, alumni, and others.
At least one HBCU team from the FCS level will be present at several homecomings and classics in 2025. We’ll list the schedule for these games below, along with some other high-profile HBCU football contests, such as the Celebration Bowl and the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
All of the 2025 HBCU homecomings and classics are listed below:
2025 HBCU homecoming schedule
| Date | Homecoming Host | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 4 | Alabama State | Bethune-Cookman | Montgomery, AL |
| South Carolina State | Savannah State | Orangeburg, SC | |
| Oct. 11 | Alabama A&M | Mississippi Valley State | Hunstville, AL |
| Alcorn State | Lincoln (CA) | Lorman, MS | |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Westgate University | Pine Bluff, AR | |
| Delaware State | Southern Connecticut State | Dover, DE | |
| Grambling State | Texas Southern | Grambling, LA | |
| Jackson State | Alabama State | Jackson, MS | |
| Morgan State | Virginia-Lynchburg | Baltimore, MD | |
| North Carolina A&T | South Carolina State | Greensboro, NC | |
| Oct. 18 | Florida A&M | Alcorn State | Tallahassee, FL |
| Mississippi Valley State | Lincoln (CA) | Itta Bena, MS | |
| Southern | Prairie View A&M | Baton Rouge, LA | |
| Tennessee State | Howard | Nashville, TN | |
| Texas Southern | Virginia-Lynchburg | Houston, TX | |
| Oct. 25 | Bethune-Cookman | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Daytona Beach, FL |
| Hampton | Monmouth | Hampton, VA | |
| Howard | Morgan State | Washington, DC | |
| Norfolk State | South Carolina State | Norfolk, VA | |
| North Carolina Central | Delaware State | Durham, NC | |
| Prairie View A&M | Lincoln (CA) | Prairie View, TX |
Some notable DII homecoming games we’ll be tracking include:
- Oct. 11 | Fayetteville State | Opponent: Livingstone
- Oct. 18 | Morehouse | Opponent: Lane
- Oct. 18 | Winston-Salem State | Opponent: Livingstone
- Oct. 18 | Virginia Union | Opponent: Lincoln (PA)
- Oct. 25 | Clark Atlanta | Opponent: Edward Waters
- Oct. 25 | Virginia State | Opponent: Bluefield State
- Oct. 25 | Lincoln (PA) | Opponent: Elizabeth City State
- Oct. 25 | Savannah State | Opponent: Morehouse
- Nov. 1 | Bowie State | Opponent: Elizabeth City State
- Nov. 1 | Tuskegee | Opponent: Lane
2025 HBCU classic schedule
| Classic | MAtchup | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEAC/SWAC Challenge | Southern vs. North Carolina Central | Aug. 23 | Atlanta, GA |
| John Merritt Classic | North Carolina A&T @ Tennessee State | Aug. 30 | Nashville, TN |
| Labor Day Classic | Prairie View A&M vs. Texas Southern | Aug. 30 | Houston, TX |
| Orange Blossom Classic | Florida A&M vs. Howard | Aug. 30 | Miami Gardens, FL |
| Louis Crews Classic | Alcorn State @ Alabama A&M | Sept. 6 | Hunstville, AL |
| Battle for Greater Baltimore | Towson @ Morgan State | Sept. 6 | Baltimore, MD |
| Pete Richardson Classic | Alabama State @ Southern | Sept. 6 | Baton Rouge, LA |
| The Legacy Series | Alabama A&M @ Tennessee State | Sept. 13 | Nashville, TN |
| W.C. Gorden Classic | Tuskegee @ Jackson State | Sept. 13 | Jackson, MS |
| HBCU New York Football Classic | Morehouse vs. Howard | Sept. 13 | East Rutherford, NJ |
| Aggie-Eagle Classic | North Carolina A&T @ North Carolina Central | Sept. 20 | Greensboro, NC |
| Battle of the Real HU — Truth and Service Classic |
Hampton vs. Howard | Sept. 20 | Washington, D.C. |
| Boombox Classic | Jackson State @ Southern | Sept. 27 | Baton Rouge, LA |
| Southern Heritage Classic | Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Alcorn State | Sept. 27 | Memphis, TN |
| State Fair Classic | Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M | Sept. 27 | Dallas, TX |
| Circle City Classic | Morgan State vs. Miles | Sept. 27 | Indianapolis, IN |
| Gulf Coast Challenge | Alabama A&M vs. Jackson State | Oct. 4 | Mobile, AL |
| Georgia Football Classic | Florida A&M vs. Mississippi Valley State | Oct. 4 | Atlanta, GA |
| Battle of the Bay | Norfolk State @ Hampton | Oct. 4 | Hampton, VA |
| Las Vegas HBCU Classic | Grambling State vs. Jackson State | Oct. 25 | Las Vegas, NV |
| Magic City Classic | Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State | Oct. 25 | Birmingham, AL |
| Port City Classic | Alabama State vs. Mississippi Valley State | Nov. 15 | Mobile, AL |
| Soul Bowl — Capital City Classic |
Alcorn State @ Jackson State | Nov. 22 | Jackson, MS |
| Florida Classic | Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M | Nov. 22 | Orlando, FL |
| Turkey Day Classic | Tuskegee @ Alabama State | Nov. 27 | Montgomery, AL |
| Bayou Classic | Grambling State vs. Southern | Nov. 29 | New Orleans, LA |
| SWAC Championship | SWAC East Champ vs. SWAC West Champ | Dec. 6 | TBD |
| Celebration Bowl | MEAC Champ vs. SWAC Champ | Dec. 13 | Atlanta, GA |
Here are some notable classics featuring DII schools that we’ll be tracking:
- Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic | Virginia Union vs. Miles | Aug. 31 | Location: Canton, OH
- Red Tails Classic | Tuskegee vs. Winston-Salem State | Aug. 31 | Location: Montgomery, AL
- Essence HBCU Classic | Morehouse College vs. Johnson C. Smith | Aug. 21 | Location: Boston, MA
- Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic | Morehouse vs. Tuskegee | Oct. 4 | Location: Montgomery, AL
- Fountain City Classic | Fort Valley State at Albany State | Nov. 8 | Location: Albany, GA
- CIAA Championship | Nov. 15 | Location: Durham, NC
Regular season MEAC vs. SWAC contests
In addition to the MEAC-SWAC Challenge played in Week Zero, there are four regular season games where MEAC and SWAC teams will meet on the gridiron.
| Date | MEAC Team | SWAC Team | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 23 | North Carolina Central | Southern | Atlanta, GA |
| Aug. 30 | Howard | Florida A&M | Miami, FL |
| Sept. 13 | South Carolina State | Bethune-Cookman | Orangeburg, SC |
| Oct. 11 | North Carolina Central | Florida A&M | Tallahassee, FL |
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