HBCU Football

Circle City Classic®

Football Game

Saturday September 27th, 2025

The football game at the Circle City Classic® is the highlight of the days-long event, drawing thousands of passionate fans, alumni, and supporters to Indianapolis for an unforgettable experience. The big game is known for fierce rivalries, top-tier athletic talent from HBCUs, and a high-energy half-time show featuring the competing marching bands.

2024 Matchup

North Carolina Central
vs. Norfolk State

The Circle City Classic® is one of the oldest HBCU games in the country. The 2024 match up featured the North Carolina Central University Eagles against the Norfolk State University Spartans.  It was another great game in a long list of classic HBCU football battles where NCCU took the win with a score of 37 to 10. Join us in 2025 for the pep rallies, parade, and pageantry leading up to the big game!

2024 Matchup

North Carolina Central
vs. Norfolk State

Saturday, Sept 28, 2024 - Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, IN

In its 40th year, The Circle City Classic® continues to spotlight the excellence of HBCU athletics. What started as a single football game in 1984, has evolved into a multi-day cultural celebration that showcases the athletic talents of HBCU teams and enriches the community through scholarships and a celebration of African American culture.

Join us to watch the North Carolina Central University Eagles battle the Norfolk State University Spartans at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Get Buy One Get One game tickets now!
Offer ends Sept 2nd at midnight.

Buy 1 Get 1 Game Tickets

Become a Sponsor

Show Your Support & Send Youth to College

Since 1984, Indiana Black Expo has hosted Circle City Classic®, a unique showcase of HBCUs, academic excellence, culture, music, and tradition. Circle City Classic® is a scholarship fundraiser that has helped IBE award over $5 million in scholarships to deserving youth attending colleges and universities nationwide since 1984. Over this same span, Circle City Classic® has contributed more than $340 million dollars to the Indianapolis economy.

Join our community and become a sponsor of Circle City Classic®.

Download Our Sponsor Booklet

Circle City Classic® Game History

See scores from past games

Year Winning team Losing team Source
1984 Mississippi Valley State 48 Grambling State 36 [2]
1985 Mississippi Valley State 28 Tennessee State 13 [3]
1986 Central State (OH) 41 Florida A&M 3 [4]
1987 Central State (OH) 31 Tennessee State 28 [5]
1988* Florida A&M 10* Jackson State 10* [6]
1989 Jackson State 27 Bethune–Cookman 7 [7]
1990 Grambling State 27 Alabama A&M 20 [8]
1991 Alcorn State 46 Howard 27 [9]
1992 Central State (OH) 34 Alabama State 13 [10]
1993 South Carolina State 34 Jackson State 33 [11]
1994 North Carolina A&T 22 Southern 21
1995 Alcorn State 46 Howard 27
1996 Florida A&M 59 Hampton 58
1997 North Carolina A&T 49 Tennessee State 37
1998 Howard 32 Bethune–Cookman 25
1999 Southern 21 Hampton 6 [12]
2000 Grambling State 12 Florida A&M 10 [13]
2001 Tennessee State 45 Howard 0
2002 Alabama A&M 27 Southern 11
2003 Florida A&M 28 Jackson State 14 [14]
2004 South Carolina State 30 Tennessee State 13
2005 North Carolina A&T 16 Tennessee State 3
2006 Central State (OH) 42 Hampton 3
2007 Winston-Salem State 27 Florida A&M 23
2008 Tuskegee 34 Alabama A&M 24
2009 Alabama A&M 35 Tuskegee 15
2010 Tennessee State 37 North Carolina A&T 7
2011 Albany State 57 Kentucky State 31
2012 North Carolina Central 40 South Carolina State 10
2013 Alcorn State 48 Grambling State 0
2014 Kentucky State 31 Central State (OH) 24
2015 Kentucky State 21 Central State (OH) 17
2016 Kentucky State 17 Central State (OH) 14
2017 Kentucky State 34 Central State (OH) 22
2018 Howard 41 Bethune–Cookman 35
2019 Kentucky State 33 Jackson State 25
2020 Game canceled due to Pandemic
2021 Kentucky State 34 Benedict 28
2022 No game
2023 North Carolina Central 45 Mississippi Valley State 3
2024 North Carolina Central 37 Norfolk State 10

2024 Event Sponsors

2024 Media Sponsor