The 85th Magic City Classic is Saturday, Oct. 31: parade 8 a.m. downtown, Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State kickoff 2:30 p.m. at Legion Field. Shuttles $5.

Updated Oct. 24: the city’s Oct. 22 notice puts gates at 12:30 p.m. and tickets at $27.50 general admission and $38.50 reserved. Drones are banned over the stadium under a new state law; see the drone rules and the $500 fine.

Last checked Oct. 24, 2026. Updated every year at this address. Every detail below comes from the Magic City Classic’s own website and the City of Birmingham; confirm times there before you go.

The Magic City Classic is Birmingham’s biggest day of the year. Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University meet at Legion Field, 400 Graymont Ave., with a morning parade downtown, a tailgate party and the battle of the bands at halftime. The organizers call it the largest event in Birmingham, drawing about 60,000 people a year, and the largest HBCU event in the country, with around 200,000 taking part across the weekend (magiccityclassic.com). It has been played every year since 1945.

2026 at a glance

  • When: Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween)
  • Parade: 8 a.m., downtown, free
  • Tailgate party: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Legion Field west side lot
  • Gates open: 12:30 p.m.
  • Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.
  • Tickets: buy through the Classic; ticket office 877-332-7804
  • Questions: Magic City Classic, 205-967-4745; Legion Field, 205-254-2391

The schedule

From the Classic’s game day schedule:

  • 8 a.m., parade. The Magic City Classic Parade starts at 18th Street North and 7th Avenue North and features the bands and dance teams of both schools. It is free and runs rain or shine (parade information). WBRC 6 carries it live.
  • 9 a.m., road closures. The perimeter road around Legion Field closes.
  • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pregame Tailgate Party in the stadium’s west side parking lot, with sponsor stands, giveaways and entertainment.
  • 2:30 p.m., kickoff. The 85th game between the SWAC rivals. At halftime, Alabama A&M’s Marching Maroon & White and Alabama State’s Mighty Marching Hornets face off.

Parade route

The route runs from 18th Street North and 7th Avenue North to 16th Street North and 4th Avenue North, according to the Classic’s route map (PDF). Parade registration for 2026 is closed.

Road closures around Legion Field

The perimeter road around the stadium closes at 9 a.m. on game day. The closure zone is bounded by I-20/59 to the north, 3rd Avenue West to the south, Center Street to the east and Arkadelphia Road to the west (parking and shuttles).

Parking and shuttles

Shuttles are the Classic’s answer to game day traffic. Each ride is $5 round trip; children 6 and under ride free. Shuttles take credit cards only, and ADA shuttles run from every stop. You cannot leave prohibited items at the stadium, so check the bag rules before you board.

Shuttle stop Where to park Shuttle hours Ride
Birmingham CrossPlex CrossPlex lot, 2340 CrossPlex Blvd. 9 a.m. to two hours after the game about 20 minutes
Park Place Boutwell Auditorium deck, 801 19th St. N. (opens 10:30 a.m.) noon to two hours after the game about 15 minutes
Downtown Garages near 7th Avenue North and 23rd Street North 11:30 a.m. to two hours after the game about 15 minutes

The CrossPlex, the former state fairgrounds, is the pick if you are skipping the parade and want to avoid downtown traffic.

At the stadium. Game day parking at Legion Field is listed at $50. Accessible parking is first come, first served in Lot F off Graymont Avenue. Friends visiting tailgaters park in Lot J off Graymont Avenue for $5, open 5 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, Oct. 29, and Friday, Oct. 30 (tailgating).

Tailgating

Legion Field sells and manages every tailgate space. Advance spaces went on sale Sept. 10 at $456.82, two per order. Any spaces left are sold on site at $600 on Monday, Oct. 26, and $500 on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Each space is 20 by 40 feet. The rules from the Classic’s tailgating page:

  • One car and one RV, or two cars and one 10-by-10 tent, per space. No tent stakes.
  • The parking decal must be on the driver’s side windshield; cars without one are towed.
  • If you leave, be back by 8 a.m. on game day to be sure of getting in again.
  • Spaces cannot be saved or roped off; no stages or tractor-trailers.
  • Generators, RVs and trailers need an exhaust riser. Fire lanes stay clear.
  • Portable toilets come only from McMichael Waste Services (888-438-6118); no deliveries after 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, or on game day.

Tickets and bags

Tickets went on sale Aug. 18 and are sold through the Classic’s ticket link. The city’s Know Before You Go notice lists tickets at $27.50 for general admission and $38.50 for reserved seats, with gates opening at 12:30 p.m. and ADA seating in the south end zone. The ticket office is at 877-332-7804. Legion Field enforces a clear bag and prohibited items policy (PDF).

What to know

  • Halloween falls on game day. See our trick-or-treat hours before you plan the evening.
  • Leave the drone at home. Flying one over or near a ticketed event is now illegal in Alabama, with a fine of up to $500. See our drone rules story.
  • The parade goes ahead in rain. So does the game; dress for the forecast.
  • Staying over? The Classic keeps a lodging page.
  • Getting around: our getting around guide covers downtown parking and transit.

The series

Alabama A&M leads the all-time series 43-38-3, and Alabama State won the three most recent games listed on the Classic’s history page: 27-19 in 2024, 31-16 in 2023 and 24-17 in 2022. A&M won both games in 2021, one in the spring and one in the fall. The 2026 game is the 85th.

Next year

The Classic has been played every year since 1945. We update this page as soon as the next date, kickoff time and shuttle plan are out.

Related: things to do this month, Friday night football and Halloween events.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Magic City Classic in 2026?

Saturday, Oct. 31, at Legion Field. The parade starts downtown at 8 a.m., the pregame tailgate party runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Alabama A&M and Alabama State kick off at 2:30 p.m.

Where does the Magic City Classic parade start?

At 18th Street North and 7th Avenue North in downtown Birmingham, at 8 a.m. It ends at 16th Street North and 4th Avenue North. It is free and goes ahead rain or shine.

How much is the Magic City Classic shuttle?

$5 round trip, and children 6 and under ride free. Shuttles take credit cards only and run from the Birmingham CrossPlex, Park Place by the Boutwell Auditorium deck and 7th Avenue North at 23rd Street North.

How much is parking at Legion Field for the Classic?

The Classic lists game day parking at Legion Field at $50. Advance tailgate spaces were $456.82; any left are sold on site for $600 on Oct. 26 and $500 on Oct. 27.

Who leads the Magic City Classic series?

Alabama A&M leads the series 43-38-3, according to the Classic. The 2026 game is the 85th meeting between the two schools.