BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The City of Birmingham is set to host a marquee football matchup at historic Legion Field during the 2026 season, following approval from the Birmingham City Council. The event will feature a highly anticipated clash between the Southern Jaguars and the Alabama State Hornets
on Saturday, August 29th.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin expressed appreciation for the council's support, noting the city's continued rise as a destination for major sporting events. He also emphasized that hosting this game represents a significant achievement not only for Birmingham but also for Southern University and Alabama State University.
"Our city continues to recruit premier sports and entertainment events," said Woodfin. "We are thrilled to build on our relationship with the SWAC and look forward to hosting Alabama State University and Southern University as we offer another great HBCU experience for fans. I want to thank members of the Birmingham City Council for their continued partnership in providing high level sports and entertainment in the Magic City."
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) remains one of the premier HBCU athletic conferences in the nation. The league has built a strong reputation for producing professional-level talent and continues to lead all FCS conferences in football attendance, topping the charts in 48 of the last 49 seasons as of 2025.
Southern Director of Athletics Roman Banks and Alabama State Vice President of Athletics Dr. Jason Cable highlighted the importance of the partnership with the City of Birmingham, calling the game a "marquee event" that will be nationally televised and showcase two of the conference's most prominent programs.
"Southern University and Alabama State University are extremely excited to partner with the City of Birmingham for the hosting of this marquee football game at historic Legion Field this upcoming football season. This match-up is slated to be nationally televised and should be a highly entertaining affair between two historic football programs," stated Banks and Cable.
The matchup also carries added significance as it will mark the collegiate head coaching debut of Marshall Faulk at Southern. Faulk took over the Jaguars program after a one-year stint in which he served as a member of the coaching staff at Colorado.
The season opener for both teams will also mark ASU head coach Eddie Robinsons' fifth season at the helm of the ASU football program. The Hornets will look to bring home a SWAC Championship title after falling one game short of qualifying for last year's championship game.
In addition to the on-field excitement, the event is expected to generate a substantial economic impact while bringing national attention, visitors, and media exposure to the city. Tickets for the event are slated to go on sale next week.
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
Women's competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at
www.swac.org.
