2026 Birmingham Football Classic Guide | FratRings

Updated August 24, 2026. The inaugural Birmingham Football Classic brings the Southern University Jaguars and Alabama State University Hornets to historic Legion Field on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Gates open at noon and kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. Central Time.

This independent FratRings guide gathers the latest official information on tickets, parking, tailgating, stadium entry, lodging and transportation so alumni, families and HBCU football fans can plan with confidence. FratRings is not the event organizer and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Birmingham Football Classic, the City of Birmingham, SWAC, Southern University or Alabama State University.

2026 Birmingham Football Classic panels covering game time, hotels, parking, tickets and stadium entry

2026 Birmingham Football Classic at a glance

Matchup: Southern University vs. Alabama State University
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Gates: 12:00 p.m. CT
Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. CT
Venue: Legion Field Stadium, 400 Graymont Avenue West, Birmingham, Alabama 35204
General admission: $32 in advance; $37 plus applicable taxes and fees on game day
Game-day parking: $20 cash while spaces last
Entry: Legion Field clear-bag and prohibited-item rules apply

The City of Birmingham’s August 13 event update is the best single source for current game-day logistics. The SWAC announcement confirms the matchup and describes it as a nationally televised showcase. No specific network was named in that announcement, so check the schools’ schedules and local listings closer to kickoff.

Why this Classic matters

This is the first Birmingham Football Classic, pairing two established SWAC programs in a city with deep HBCU football roots. The game is the 2026 season opener for both schools. It also places the matchup inside Legion Field—the 71,000-seat “Old Gray Lady” that has hosted major college football, Olympic soccer and generations of classic-weekend memories.

The matchup also marks Marshall Faulk’s collegiate head-coaching debut at Southern, according to the SWAC. Alabama State enters the season under head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. Both the Southern athletics schedule and Alabama State athletics schedule list the August 29 game in Birmingham at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets and box-office hours

The City of Birmingham directs fans to Impact Tickets for game tickets. General admission is listed at $32 in advance and increases to $37 plus taxes and fees on game day. Children age two and younger may enter free without a ticket.

Fans who prefer an in-person purchase can use the Legion Field Ticket Office from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday, August 24 through Friday, August 28. On game day, the ticket office is scheduled to operate from 10:00 a.m. until halftime. The city states that game-day tickets are nonrefundable.

Because ticket inventory and fees can change, use the city-linked seller and review the order total before completing checkout. Avoid relying on unverified resale listings.

Official game-day schedule

10:00 a.m.: Legion Field game-day ticket sales begin
12:00 p.m.: Stadium gates open
2:00 p.m. CT: Southern vs. Alabama State kickoff
Halftime: On-site ticket sales end

No broader official weekend schedule was published in the first-party sources reviewed for this update. Treat social-media flyers and third-party event listings as unconfirmed unless the city, SWAC or one of the universities links to them.

Legion Field entry and clear-bag rules

Legion Field’s official venue page permits a clear plastic bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches or a one-gallon plastic freezer bag. The venue’s published list says backpacks, purses, fanny packs, diaper bags, camera cases, tinted or patterned clear bags, umbrellas and seat cushions with compartments are not approved.

The stadium also prohibits outside food and drinks, tobacco products, video recorders, selfie sticks, tripods, fireworks, drones and other items staff considers unsafe or inappropriate. Certified, leashed service animals are the stated exception to the venue’s animal restriction. Review the complete Legion Field clear-bag and prohibited-items page before leaving for the stadium.

Accessibility note: the venue page reviewed for this guide does not publish a complete event-specific ADA arrival plan. For accessible seating, drop-off, companion seating or mobility questions, contact Legion Field directly at 205-254-2391 before game day rather than guessing at the gate.

Parking, tailgating and arrival timing

Official game-day parking at Legion Field is $20 cash while spaces are available. Plan to arrive well before the noon gate opening: parking is first-come, surrounding traffic can build quickly, and the city has not announced a dedicated Birmingham Football Classic shuttle in the sources reviewed.

Tailgating spaces are sold separately. Online tailgate sales are scheduled to close Tuesday, August 25 at 5:00 p.m. CDT. The city instructs buyers to search “Birmingham Football Classic” on Big Tickets. Spaces are $100 each, with a limit of two. If inventory remains, in-person tailgate sales begin at Legion Field on Wednesday, August 26 at 8:00 a.m.

Do not confuse the $100 tailgate-space purchase with the $20 game-day parking fee or the game ticket; they are separate items.

Getting to Birmingham and Legion Field

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is the city’s primary airport. The airport authorizes Uber and Lyft pickups from the Arrivals/Lower-Level curbside, and its official taxi page says taxi service is available 24 hours a day outside baggage claim.

If you are not driving, schedule extra time for pickup-zone congestion and stadium traffic. MAX Transit offers a live trip planner and route tools through its official website and MAX Connect app, but verify your exact Saturday itinerary before relying on a route to Legion Field.

Where to stay in Birmingham

No official Birmingham Football Classic hotel block was verified in the sources reviewed on August 24. For the broadest hotel choice, start with downtown Birmingham, the UAB area or the BJCC/Uptown district. Those areas provide access to restaurants and major city attractions, but they are not walking-distance substitutes for Legion Field; plan your game-day ride separately.

The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau’s downtown directory lists options including the Tutwiler, Sheraton Birmingham, Westin Birmingham, Hilton Garden Inn Downtown, Fairfield Inn & Suites Downtown and other properties. Compare cancellation terms, overnight parking and checkout time before booking. A listing in this guide is not a FratRings endorsement.

What to bring—and what to leave behind

Mobile or printed ticket confirmation, downloaded before arrival
A compliant clear bag or one-gallon freezer bag
Photo ID and a separate payment method in addition to cash
Sun protection that complies with stadium rules
A charged phone and a meeting point for your group
Comfortable shoes for parking-lot and stadium walking

Leave umbrellas, backpacks, large purses, diaper bags and other prohibited items at your hotel or in your vehicle. The venue says rejected items must be returned to a vehicle or discarded; they cannot be stored at the gate.

Make the trip part of a meaningful HBCU weekend

Downtown Birmingham carries an important civil-rights history alongside its dining and cultural attractions. Build extra time around the game only where your travel schedule allows, and verify museum hours directly. Above all, give the football program, band, alumni groups and student-athletes the attention they deserve: this is a new Classic, and early fan support helps establish its future.

If you are marking an alumni or membership milestone during the season, explore FratRings’ alumni rings, fraternity rings and jewelry, or the broader all-rings collection. For more planning coverage, read our 2026 Orange Blossom Classic guide and our backgrounder on how HBCU football classics became bigger than the game.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2026 Birmingham Football Classic?

Saturday, August 29, 2026. Gates open at noon and Southern vs. Alabama State kicks off at 2:00 p.m. Central Time.

Where is the game?

Legion Field Stadium, 400 Graymont Avenue West, Birmingham, Alabama 35204.

How much are tickets?

The City of Birmingham lists general admission at $32 in advance and $37 plus applicable taxes and fees on game day. Children age two and younger may enter free without a ticket.

How much is parking?

Official game-day parking is $20 cash while spaces last. Tailgate spaces are a separate purchase.

What is the clear-bag size?

A clear plastic bag may be no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches. A one-gallon plastic freezer bag is also approved. Clear backpacks, tinted bags, purses, fanny packs and diaper bags appear on the venue’s non-approved list.

Is there an official hotel block?

FratRings did not verify an official event room block as of August 24, 2026. Use the official Birmingham visitor bureau directory and confirm terms directly with the hotel.

Is FratRings organizing the event?

No. FratRings is an independent informational source. Event policies, prices and schedules remain under the control of the City of Birmingham, the venue, ticket sellers, SWAC and the participating universities.

Official sources

Information was verified against the official sources above on August 24, 2026. Recheck the city, venue and school pages before departure for late changes.