The Magic City Classic is an annual American football "classic" that features Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University, the two largest historically black universities in the state. It is played at Legion Field in Birmingham (nicknamed the "Magic City"). The classic has become one of the highest attended Division I FCS (formerly Division I-AA) games in the nation and the largest event in Birmingham carrying a nearly $25 million economic impact. The stadium attendance averages over 60,000 annually.[1][2]
The first game between the two schools was played in 1924. It has been an uninterrupted, annual tradition since 1945 and has been played at Legion Field since 1946. Come 2021, the event may move to the new Protective Stadium.
The classic is the largest HBCU event in the nation attracting nearly 200,000 participants.[3] The Alabama A&M Bulldogs lead the series with a record of 42–39–3 all-time (as of 2019).
Many festivities are held in conjunction with the game, including a pep rally, comedy show, scholarship breakfast, concert/festival, soirees, tailgating, block parties, alumni gatherings, 2-hour parade, and a popular "Battle of the Bands" between AAMU’s Marching Maroon and White Band and ASU's Mighty Marching Hornets. Festivities begin the week of Saturday's game.
In recent years, the classic has attracted numerous African-American celebrities, public figures, and elected officials to Birmingham.
Courtesy of Wikipedia
First meeting
October 31, 1924 Alabama State 30, Alabama A&M 0
Latest meeting
October 27, 2019 Alabama A&M 43, Alabama State 413OT
Next meeting
April 17, 2021
Stadiums
Trophy
Magic City Classic Trophy
Statistics:
Meetings total
84
All-time series
Alabama A&M leads, 42–39–3
Largest victory
Alabama State, 56–0 (1931)
Current win streak
Alabama A&M, 2 (2018–present)