AGREEMENT: Magic City Classic staying in Birmingham till 2026

Thanks to a management agreement signed this week between the Alabama Sports Council and Alabama A&M University, Magic City Classic will remain in Birmingham from 2023-2026.

Following months of discussions, Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University have each entered into separate agreements with the Alabama Sports Council for the council to manage and promote the historic rivalry game. 

According to an Alabama Sports Council news release, the University agreements mirror one another, allocating assets and responsibilities based on which University is deemed the “home team” each year. 

Alabama A&M delayed signing the agreement until this week.

Magic City Classic—more than a game

This year’s McDonald’s Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola will be the 82nd annual edition. More than a football game, this event brings lots of special events to Birmingham, including the Magic City Parade the morning before the game—one of the best tailgating experiences in the nation. 

For fans of the “Gray Old Lady,” the agreement also ensures the game will be played at Legion Field till 2026.

Both schools signed a four-year agreement with the City of Birmingham in April of this year, inclusive of funding and the use of Legion Field. 

Agreement guarantees Magic City support

“The signing of this agreement for the Alabama Sports Council to manage the event for the next four years bolsters the long-standing consistency and continuity we’ve had since 2000. Also under these new agreements, both schools will be paid their guaranteed amounts by December 31st of each Classic year.

Gene Hallman, Chairman and CEO of EventiveSports, the event promoter for Alabama Sports Council

At the Birmingham City Council’s September 12th meeting, $1.5 million was appropriated to carry out the week’s festivities and pay the schools for the annual matchup.

“These two deserving HBCUs will receive the highest guaranteed payout in the history of HBCU athletics,” Perren King, Executive Director of the event added.

Kickoff for this year’s game is October 28th, 2:30PM. Tickets are on sale now at magiccityclassic.com.