Every fall, the alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) make the trek to their respective alma maters to relish in their glory days. The week-long festivities often continue decades-old traditions, empower fundraising efforts, and celebrate the legacy of campuses big and small. Classics, significant matchups that exist outside of homecomings, are also a space to uplift the institutions through sport and community.
With growing eyes at programs such as Norfolk State University, as former NFL player Michael Vick enters his first season as head coach, or recent interest in Tuskegee University garnered by Love Island breakout star Olandria Carthan, HBCUs have spawned conversations on and off the field ahead of the season.
Still, the fact remains that with or without celebrity attention, HBCUs matter, and homecomings and classics are proof. So, start hydrating for undergrad-inspired partying, reconnecting with former classmates, and dusting off that school-spirited gear.
Read below for a schedule of HBCU classic football matchups and homecoming celebrations.
Game Day: September 6, 2025
Image Credit: Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images Classics:
- Eddie McGirt Classic – Johnson C. Smith vs. Valdosta State
- Sunshine Showdown – Clark Atlanta vs. Florida Memorial
- Louis Crews Classic – Alabama A&M vs. Alcorn State
- Battle of the States – Norfolk State vs. Virginia State
- Battle for Greater Baltimore – Morgan State vs. Towson
Game Day: September 13, 2025
Image Credit: Justin Ford/Getty Images Classics:
- Legacy Series – Tennessee State vs. Alabama A&M
- W.C. Gorden Classic – Jackson State vs. Tuskegee
- HBCUNY Classic – Howard vs. Morehouse
- HBCU Unity Classic – Virginia Union vs. Edward Waters
Game Day: September 20, 2025
Image Credit: Alex Halloway/Getty Images Classics
- Down East Viking Classic – Fayetteville State vs. Elizabeth City State
- Prince Hall Americanism Classic – Miles vs. Savannah State
- Aggie-Eagle Classic – North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T
- Battle of the Real HU – Howard vs. Hampton
Game Day: September 27, 2025
Image Credit: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images Classics:
- Frederick Douglass Classic – Central State vs. Lane College
- Circle City Classic – Morgan State vs. Miles College
- Southern Heritage Classic – Alcorn State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- State Fair Classic – Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M
Homecomings:
- Johnson C. Smith Vs Bluefield State
Game Day: October 4, 2025
Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images Classics:
- S.C. HBCU Classic – Benedict vs. Allen
- Battle of the Bay – Norfolk State vs. Hampton
- Gulf Coast Challenge – Jackson State vs. Alabama A&M
- Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic – Tuskegee vs. Morehouse
Homecomings:
- Fort Valley State vs Central State
- Bluefield State vs Shaw
- South Carolina State vs Savannah State
- Alabama State vs Bethune-Cookman
Game Day: October 11, 2025
Image Credit: Michael Chang/Getty Images Homecomings:
- South Carolina State vs. Savannah State
- Alabama A&M vs. Mississippi Valley State
- Alcorn State vs. Lincoln (CA)
- Grambling State vs. Texas Southern
- Jackson State vs. Alabama State
- Morgan State vs. Virginia-Lynchburg
- Delaware State vs. Southern Connecticut State
Game Day: October 18, 2025
Image Credit: Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images Classics:
- Good Trouble Heritage Classic – Fort Valley State vs. Savannah State
- Caribbean HBCU Puerto Rico Bowl – Kentucky State vs. Franklin Pierce
- Magic City Classic – Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State
- Las Vegas HBCU Classic- Jackson State vs. Grambling State
Homecomings:
- Florida A&M vs. Alcorn State
- Southern University vs. Prairie View A&M
- Tennessee State vs. Howard University
Game Day: October 25, 2025
Image Credit: Alex Slitz/Getty Images Homecomings:
- Bethune-Cookman vs. University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Howard University vs. Morgan State
- Norfolk State University vs. South Carolina State
- North Carolina Central University vs. Delaware State
Game Day: November 1, 2025
Image Credit: Nathan Howard/Getty Images Homecomings:
- Livingstone College vs Shaw University
- Bowie State University vs Elizabeth City State University
- Lincoln University of Missouri vs Truman State
- Benedict College vs Virginia University of Lynchburg
- Edward Waters College vs Central State University
- Tuskegee University vs Lane College
- Dillard University (No Football Team)
- University of the Virgin Islands (No Football Team)
- Wilberforce University(No Football Team)
Game Day: November 8, 2025
Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images Classics:
- Commemorative Classic – Johnson C. Smith vs. Livingstone
- AME Football Classic – Edward Waters vs. Allen
- Battle of the AUC – Clark Atlanta vs. Morehouse
Homecomings:
- Elizabeth City State University vs. Bluefield State University
- Allen University vs. Edward Waters University
- Fisk University
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Game Day: November 22, 2025
Image Credit: James Gilbert/Getty Images Classics:
- Florida Classic- Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman University
Homecomings:
- Claflin University (No Football Team)
Game Day: November 27, 2025
Image Credit: Dylan Buell/Getty Images Turkey Day Classic – Alabama State University vs Tuskegee University
Game Day: November 29, 2025
Image Credit: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images Classics:
- Bayou Classic – Southern vs. Grambling State
