HBCU football classics is one of the most famous traditions that makes the season so exciting, bringing about tremendous matchups on the field that help tell the history of our many institutions.
These games’ significance go beyond adding another chapter to storied rivalries as they also set new standards for those that come after to follow.
Here is a comprehensive list of every HBCU football classic in the 2026 season.
| Date | Classic | Teams | How to Watch |
| 29-Aug | Battle of the Border | Johnson C. Smith vs. Benedict | SIAC Network |
| 29-Aug | Birmingham Classic | Alabama State vs. Southern | ESPNU |
| 29-Aug | John Merritt Classic | Jackson State vs. Tennessee State | ESPN+ |
| 29-Aug | MEAC/SWAC Challenge | Alabama A&M vs. Howard | ABC |
| 29-Aug | Natural State Kickoff Classic | Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Morehouse | SWACTV |
| 29-Aug | HBCU Unity Classic | Edward Waters vs. Florida Memorial | SIAC Network |
| 30-Aug | Red Tails Classic | Tuskegee vs. West Alabama | TBD |
| 5-Sep | ATL Labor Day Classic | Clark Atlanta vs. Morehouse | SIAC Network |
| 5-Sep | HOPE Labor Day Classic | Jackson State vs. Edward Waters | HBCUGo |
| 5-Sep | Labor Day Classic | Alabama State vs. Lane | SWACTV |
| 5-Sep | Louis Crews Classic | Alabama A&M vs. Miles | SWACTV |
| 5-Sep | Pete Richardson Classic | Southern vs. Kentucky State | SWACTV |
| 5-Sep | Port City Classic | Tuskegee vs. Fort Valley State | ESPN+ |
| 5-Sep | Williard Bailey Classic | Virginia Union vs. Livingstone | CIAASN |
| 6-Sep | Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic | Johnson C. Smith vs. Albany State | NFL Network |
| 6-Sep | Labor Day Classic | Prairie View A&M vs. Texas Southern | ESPN2 |
| 6-Sep | Orange Blossom Classic | South Carolina State vs. Florida A&M | ESPN |
| 12-Sep | Aggie-Eagle Classic | North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T | ESPN+ |
| 12-Sep | Chicago Football Classic | Mississippi Valley State vs. Lincoln (PA) | SWACTV |
| 12-Sep | Prince Hall Americanism Classic | Edward Waters vs. Miles | SIAC Network |
| 12-Sep | Southern Heritage Classic | Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Alcorn State | HBCUGo |
| 19-Sep | Battle for Greater Baltimore | Morgan State vs. Towson | TBD |
| 19-Sep | Battle of the Bay | Norfolk State vs. Hampton | MEAC Network |
| 19-Sep | Delta Classic | Mississippi Valley State vs. Delta State | SWACTV |
| 19-Sep | Eddie McGirt Classic | Johnson C. Smith vs. Fayetteville State | CIAASN |
| 19-Sep | W.C. Gorden Classic | Jackson State vs. Tuskegee | SWACTV |
| 26-Sep | State Fair Classic | Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling State | SWACTV |
| 3-Oct | Battle of the Real HU | Howard vs. Hampton | HBCUGo |
| 3-Oct | Cool Mac Classic | Bowie State vs. Shaw | CIAASN |
| 3-Oct | Frederick Douglass Classic | Virginia State vs. Lincoln (PA) | CIAASN |
| 3-Oct | Gulf Coast Challenge | Jackson State vs. Alabama A&M | SWACTV |
| 3-Oct | Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic | Tuskegee vs. Morehouse | SIAC Network |
| 10-Oct | South Carolina Classic | Benedict vs. Allen | SIAC Network |
| 31-Oct | Magic City Classic | Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M | ESPN+ |
| 7-Nov | AME Classic | Florida Memorial vs. Allen | SIAC Network |
| 7-Nov | Commemorative Classic | Johnson C. Smith vs. Livingstone | CIAASN |
| 7-Nov | Fountain City Classic | Albany State vs. Fort Valley State | ESPN+ |
| 7-Nov | Yes Bahamas HBCU Classic | Kentucky State vs. Morehouse | TBD |
| 14-Nov | Battle of Miami Gardens | Florida Memorial vs. St. Thomas | Urban Edge Network |
| 21-Nov | Florida Classic | Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman | ESPN+ |
| 26-Nov | Turkey Day Classic | Alabama State vs. Tuskegee | SWACTV |
| 28-Nov | Bayou Classic | Grambling State vs. Southern | NBC |
| 12-Dec | Celebration Bowl | TBD | ABC |
