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In HBCU football, a “classic” matchup has been a premier event for decades. An HBCU homecoming can be even bigger, bringing together alumni to celebrate. Both classics and homecomings can often see rivals play head-to-head and carry historical value. Fans, players, alumni and more all get excited for these games.
In 2025, there are multiple classics and homecomings that feature at least one HBCU team from the FCS level. Below, we’ll provide the scheduling information for these games, plus a few additional headliner HBCU football matchups, including the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and the Celebration Bowl, for instance.
Here is every HBCU homecoming and classic scheduled for 2025:
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 | |
| 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 | Hampton | Monmouth | Hampton, VA |
| Howard | Morgan State | Washington, DC | |
| North Carolina Central | Delaware State | Durham, NC | |
| Prairie View A&M | Lincoln (CA) | Prairie View, TX |
FCS teams yet to release their schedule:
SWAC: Bethune-Cookman
MEAC: Morgan State, Norfolk State
Some notable DII homecoming games we’ll be tracking include:
- Oct. 11 | Fayetteville State | Opponent: Livingstone
- Oct. 18 | Morehouse | Opponent: Lane
- Oct. 18 | Virginia Union | Opponent: Lincoln (PA)
- 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
——————————————————————————- - Oct. 18 | Winston-Salem State | Opponent:TBA
- Date TBA | Clark Atlanta | Opponent TBA
It’s official! We will see Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson face Norfolk State head coach Michael Vick for the first time on Saturday November 1, 2025 at DSU 🍿
The former NFL Quarterback – Wide Receiver duo played together with the Philadelphia Eagles pic.twitter.com/PssoqEsoYA
— Stan Becton (@stan_becton) February 19, 2025
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 | TBD vs. TBD | Sept. 27 | Indianapolis, IN |
| Gulf Coast Challenge | Alabama A&M vs. Jackson State | Oct. 4 | Mobile, AL |
| 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
- Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic | Morehouse vs. Tuskegee | Oct. 4 | Location: Columbus, GA
- Fountain City Classic | Fort Valley State at Albany State | Nov. 8 | Location: Albany, GA
- Chicago Football Classic | Teams and Date TBA
- 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 |
