In HBCU football, the “classic” matchup has been the premier event for decades. Homecomings at HBCUs are even bigger, with former alumni coming together to celebrate. Whether it's the Classic or Homecoming, head-to-head competition between rivals is often seen and has historical value. Fans, players, alumni, and more get excited about these games.
In 2024, there will be multiple Classic and Homecoming tournaments featuring at least one FCS-level HBCU team. Below, we provide schedule information for these games, as well as some additional headline HBCU football games, including the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and Celebration Bowl.
With that said, here are all the HBCU Homecomings and Classics scheduled for 2024.
2024 HBCU Homecoming Schedule
| date | homecoming host | Opponent | position |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 5th | Alabama | Florida A&M | Montgomery, Alabama |
| Alcorn State University | arkansas pine bluff | roman, mississippi | |
| south texas | virginia lynchburg | houston texas | |
| morgan state university | Lincoln (Pennsylvania) | baltimore, maryland | |
| Delaware | St. Francis (Pennsylvania) | Dover, Delaware | |
| October 12th | Alabama A&M | Bethune Cookman | Huntsville, Alabama |
| tennessee | Eastern Illinois | Nashville, Tennessee | |
| October 19th | North Carolina A&T | hampton | greensboro, north carolina |
| southern | Alcorn State University | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | |
| mississippi valley state | Bethune Cookman | Itta Bena, Mississippi | |
| grambling state | arkansas pine bluff | Grambling, Los Angeles | |
| howard | tennessee | Washington DC | |
| October 26th | central north carolina | morgan state university | Durham, North Carolina |
| Bethune Cookman | jackson state university | Daytona Beach, Florida | |
| arkansas pine bluff | mississippi valley state | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | |
| hampton | Elon | Hampton, Virginia | |
| norfolk | howard | norfolk, virginia | |
| Prairie View A&M | Texas A&M Commerce | Prairie View, Texas | |
| south carolina | Delaware | Orangeburg, South Carolina | |
| November 2 | Florida A&M | south texas | Tallahassee, Florida |
| jackson state university | arkansas pine bluff | jackson, mississippi |
Notable DII Homecoming games include:
- October 12th | fort valley state | Opponent: Allen (SC)
- October 19th | clark atlanta | Opponent: Miles
- October 19th | bowie state | Opponent: Bluefield State University
- November 9th | winston salem state | Opponent: Fayetteville State University
- November 9th | tuskegee | Opponent: Miles
- Date TBA | morehouse | Opponent: Undecided
2024 HBCU Classic Schedule
| classic | match | date | position |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEAC/SWAC Challenge | Norfolk State vs. Florida A&M | August 24th | atlanta, georgia |
| john merritt classic | Mississippi Valley and Tennessee | August 31st | Nashville, Tennessee |
| labor day classic | Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M | August 31st | Prairie View, Texas |
| orange blossom classic | Alabama State vs. North Carolina Central | September 1st | Miami, Florida |
| luis cruz classic | Kentucky State University Alabama A&M | September 7th | Huntsville, Alabama |
| Battle of Greater Baltimore | Morgan State at Towson | September 7th | Towson, Maryland |
| pete richardson classic | southern savannah | September 7th | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| southern heritage classic | Arkansas Pine Bluff vs. Tennessee State University | September 14th | memphis tennessee |
| battle of the bay | norfolk state hampton | September 14th | norfolk, virginia |
| boombox classic | southern jackson state | September 14th | jackson, mississippi |
| HBCU New York Football Classic | Morehouse vs. Howard | September 14th | East Rutherford, New Jersey |
| aggie eagle classic | North Carolina A&T in Central North Carolina | September 21st | Durham, North Carolina |
| Real HU battle — A classic of truth and service |
Hampton vs. Howard | September 21st | Washington DC |
| state fair classic | Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M | September 28th | dallas texas |
| gulf coast challenge | Jackson State vs. Alabama A&M | October 5th | mobile, alabama |
| magic city classic | Alabama A&M vs Alabama State University | October 26th | birmingham alabama |
| port city classic | Alabama State University vs Alcorn State University | November 2 | mobile, alabama |
| Soul Bowl — Capital City Classic |
Jackson State University, Alcorn State University | November 23rd | roman, mississippi |
| florida classic | Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M | November 23rd | Orlando, Florida |
| turkey day classic | alabama state tuskegee | November 28th | Montgomery, Alabama |
| Bayou Classic | Grambling State vs. Southern | November 30th | new orleans louisiana |
| SWAC Championship | SWAC East Champion vs. SWAC West Champion | December 7th | to be decided |
| celebration bowl | MEAC Champion vs. SWAC Champion | to be decided | atlanta, georgia |
Here are some recent classics that have yet to be released as of April 15th.
- circle city classic | Team TBA | September 28th | Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- DI or DII HBCU teams that have not yet announced games for September 28 are:
- morehouse
- Lincoln (Pennsylvania)
- livingston
- central state
- DI or DII HBCU teams that have not yet announced games for September 28 are:
Here are some notable classics featuring DII schools.
- Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic | Virginia State vs. Benedict | September 1st | Location: Canton, Ohio
- Red Tails Classic | Tuskegee vs. Johnson C. Smith | September 1st | Location: Montgomery, Alabama
- Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic | Tuskegee vs. Morehouse | October 5 | Location: Columbus, Georgia
- Fountain City Classic | Fort Valley State vs. Albany State | November 9 | Location: Columbus, Georgia
