The Circle City Classic makes its triumphant return during the 2023 football season when North Carolina Central faces Mississippi Valley State at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The game will return after a one-year absence, with the most recent game featuring Benedict College and Kentucky State University.
This will be the first Circle City Classic to feature two Division I FCS teams since 2018 and the first matchup between a MEAC and SWAC school since 2003.
“After a year hiatus, we are excited to announce HBCU football is coming back to Lucas Oil Stadium,” said Alice Watson, President and CEO of Indiana Black Expo.” Bringing these Division I storied football teams, representing the MEAC and SWAC conferences with a great alumni base and incredible marching bands, is a great opportunity to showcase the best of the best HBCUs in the midwest.”
Mississippi Valley State is making its first appearance in the Circle City Classic since the school played in the first two-ever iterations of the game in 1984 and 1985, respectively.
Delta Devils athletic director Hakim McClellan expressed his excitement for the program to once again participate in the Circle City Classic.
🏈 Don't miss out on the 39th Anniversary of the Circle City Classic® feat. the HBCU Ntl. Champion North Carolina Central and Mississippi Valley State at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 23, 2023, at 3:00 PM EST. Tickets go on sale 3/31/23 at https://t.co/qjaosGEX87 pic.twitter.com/lAcr8zgxRJ
— Indiana Black Expo (@INBlackExpoInc) March 23, 2023
“It is an honor to be one of the first teams to compete in the Circle City Classic and to be selected again after a 38-year hiatus and a great way to begin the 70 years of football at Mississippi Valley State,” said McClellan.
North Carolina Central, on the other hand, is also making its second-ever appearance and its first since 2012.
“We are looking forward to showcasing NCCU on this grand stage and reuniting with our proud alumni and fans in the region,” said North Carolina Central Director of Athletics Dr. Louis “Skip” Perkins.
The game is set to take place on September 23, 2023, at 3:00 pm ET.
Tickets will be made available on March 31 and, as announced by Watson, will be 50% off in the first 30 days of the sale.
