Bethune-Cookman, Southern Set to Headline 2025 Tampa Bay Football Classic at Raymond James Stadium
What began as a report has now been made official: Bethune-Cookman and Southern University will square off in the 2025 Tampa Bay Football Classic, bringing HBCU football to the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A Showcase on a Big Stage
The matchup, scheduled for October 11 at Raymond James Stadium, will kick off at 4 p.m. ET. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 2, through tampabayfootballclassic.com and Ticketmaster.
Much like other HBCU football classics, the Tampa Bay Football Classic will be more than just a game. Every ticket also grants access to pre- and post-game festivities, a day-party experience, and the highly anticipated main event on the field.
Bands, Culture, and a Fresh Twist
No HBCU Classic is complete without marching bands—and Tampa won’t disappoint. The Bethune-Cookman Marching Wildcats are locked in, while the Southern University Human Jukebox is expected to make the trip as well. Fans can look forward to a halftime performance that will feel more like a major concert than a simple intermission.
Adding a new layer of excitement is the debut of Band VERZUZ Band, a marching band face-off modeled after the popular Verzuz series created by Timbaland and Swizz Beatz. Instead of artists trading songs, powerhouse marching bands will battle through eight rounds of high-energy “super heavyweight” competition, streamed worldwide.
Michael E. David, founder of the Tampa Bay Football Classic and the Original Battle of the Bands—which inspired the film Drumline—described the event as “a one-of-a-kind atmosphere” with impact far beyond the field.
“We are equally thrilled to introduce our new marching band sport special event property in Band VERZUZ Band,” David said. “Band VERZUZ Band is the sweet musical science in the precision of the sport of marching band.”
More Than a Game
For organizers, the Classic is about culture, unity, and community impact. Andre “Lucky” White, the event’s executive director, highlighted the broader mission.
“This game will bring our communities together to celebrate and share in the culture, sportsmanship, and richness of the Tampa Bay Area and its HBCU culture,” White said.
Economists estimate the event could pump between $10 million and $30 million into the local economy. For the Moses White Foundation, a co-sponsor, that financial boost aligns with its mission to support education, revitalization, and empowerment across underserved communities in Tampa.
The Bigger Movement
HBCU football is increasingly carving out space in NFL stadiums. From the Georgia Classic in Atlanta to this newly launched Classic in Tampa, marquee HBCU games are finding bigger stages and bigger audiences.
On October 11, Bethune-Cookman and Southern will bring the on-field action. The bands will deliver the show. And Tampa will host a celebration of HBCU culture unlike anything the city has seen before.
