AHSAA — Sweetwater High School (purple) vs. Wadley High School (white) at the Super 7 Football Championships in Protective Stadium on December 2, 2021. Photo via Jacob Blankenship for Bham Now

Need evidence that Birmingham is the ‘Football Capital of the South?’

Here you go.

According to the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), last week, the Magic City shattered the Super 7 State Football Championships attendance record. Held at the newly christened Protective Stadium, 62,544 football fans took part in the three-day event over by the BJCC and the Uptown Entertainment District.

“This was great news for our schools,” said AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs in AHSAANow “It is also a testament to the strong support the cities and communities across our state have for our member school education-based athletics programs.”

2021 Birmingham Super 7 Numbers

The previous record was 61,048 when the championships were held at Auburn University and were then called the “Super 6”.

The daily attendance breakdown for the week:

WEDNESDAY: 16,341
THURSDAY: 18,021
FRIDAY: 28,182

TOTAL 62,544

“On behalf of our member schools and Central Board of Control, we thank everyone for that support including our corporate partners, the City of Birmingham, Protective Stadium and all who volunteered their time to make this week’s games so special for our member schools,” added Briggs.

Return to Birmingham After 13 Years

The Super 7 Championships returned in 2021 to Birmingham after a 13 year hiatus. Since 2009, the Super 7 has alternated between Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn.

Previously, Birmingham had hosted the championships for all classifications between 1996-2008 at Legion Field. The Magic City also hosted the large school championship from 1971 to 1995.

Because of a new 12 year agreement reached with the cities of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Auburn —high school championship football returned to Birmingham.