Southern University and Bethune-Cookman’s October 11 matchup is reportedly on the move to a much larger venue. WAFB 9Sports in Baton Rouge reports that the game, originally slated for Daytona Stadium, will now be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern (3 p.m. Central), with sources telling 9Sports the contest will officially be branded as the Tampa Bay Classic.
This marks the second time in three years that the Jaguars and Wildcats will square off on an NFL field in Florida.
HBCU Football Finds Bigger Stages
The move underscores a growing trend of HBCU programs landing spotlight games inside NFL stadiums. Back in 2023, Southern and Bethune-Cookman clashed at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville after scheduling issues forced the game out of Daytona.
That momentum has carried into 2025. On October 4, Florida A&M and Mississippi Valley State will meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the Georgia Football Classic. With that game and the new Tampa Bay Classic on the slate, this fall is shaping up as a season where HBCU football regularly takes center stage on NFL turf.
Why It Matters
Neutral-site matchups bring more than just a change of scenery. They expand recruiting reach, energize alumni in major markets, and create bowl-like atmospheres during the regular season. For Southern and Bethune-Cookman, moving to Tampa elevates a routine conference game into a cultural event with national visibility.
The Takeaway
What began two years ago as a contingency plan in Jacksonville has evolved into a winning formula. With Atlanta setting the tone a week earlier and Tampa hosting under the NFL lights, this fall’s HBCU football schedule isn’t just about competition—it’s a celebration of tradition, culture, and pride on the grandest stage yet.
