Magic City Classic Trivia Facts as BPL Prepares to Host Classic Cocktails on October 27
By Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist -Birmingham Public Library
Magic City Classic Trivia Facts as BPL Prepares to Host Classic Cocktails on October 27
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – As the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) prepares to host our 5th Annual Classic Cocktails fundraiser event to kick off 2026 Magic City Classic Week, we decided to test your knowledge about this annual showdown between the state's biggest HBCU institutions, the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and the Alabama State University Hornets.
Classic Cocktails will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Central Library (2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203). BPL's kickoff party to the Magic City Classic is sponsored by the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library.
More than just a party, Classic Cocktails sets the tone for an unforgettable week of tradition, rivalry, and Black excellence, bringing together fans of Alabama State and Alabama A&M to reminisce, reconnect, and raise a glass to 83 years of Classic memories while supporting our 17 libraries at the same time.
The Birmingham Public Library has put together this history lesson on what makes the Magic City Classic so special:
🏈 Why is Magic City Classic Week such a big deal?
Magic City Classic Week is a cultural largely African-American celebration that according to the event website (www.magiccityclassic.com) draws 200,000 people to metro Birmingham for a weeklong celebration, filling up hotels, restaurants, shopping centers and more, generating an economic impact of more than $25 million a year, according to the Greater Birmingham Convention Bureau.
An estimated 100,000 people will be at Legion Field for this year's October 31 game, including 69,000 inside the stadium and 30,000 tailgating outside.
Many African-Americans plan family reunions to Birmingham around the football game, which is slated for Saturday, October 31 at 2:30 p.m. this year. There will be dozens of reunions, events, parties exhibiting HBCU pride for the maroon and white-clad Bulldogs and gold and black-clad Hornets.
Although the annual football game is the ultimate climax of the week, many fans stay riveted for the feisty Halftime Battle of the Bands between the Alabama A&M Marching Maroon & White and the Alabama State Mighty Marching Hornets.
🏈 The Classic: A Legacy 82 Years Strong
Since 1945, the Magic City Classic has been more than a football game: it’s a cultural homecoming. In 2025, 69,372 fans packed Legion Field, continuing a streak of being the most attended HBCU Classic in the country. That surpassed the #2 Bayou Classic between Southern University and Grambling State University, which drew 63,010 to New Orleans, and #3 State Fair Classic between Grambling and Prairie View University, which attracted 63,169 to Dallas last year.
The Magic City Classic is far more than just a football game. It's about the tailgates, the fashion, the rivalries, and the lifelong memories made on and off the field. Classic Cocktails is the perfect setting to reconnect with classmates, share stories from legendary games, and relive the unforgettable moments that make the Magic City Classic more than just a football rivalry. Whether you’re reminiscing about campus life, your favorite halftime show, or that one epic tailgate, this event brings it all back.
Classic Cocktails offers a great chance to brush up on the Classic’s rich 83-year history through conversation, culture, and even a visit to the Birmingham Public Library’s digital archives.
Classic Quick Facts
Who leads the Magic City Classic?
As of 2025, Alabama A&M leads the all-time series with 43 wins, while Alabama State has earned 38 victories. There have been three ties. The Hornets have closed the gap with four straight wins, including last year's 56-13 beatdown of the Bulldogs.
How long has the game been held at Legion Field?
Legion Field in Birmingham has been home to the Magic City Classic since 1945, making it one of the most storied venues in HBCU football history.
🐶 Alabama A&M: A Legacy of Excellence Since 1875
Founded by formerly enslaved people as the Huntsville Normal School in 1875, Alabama A&M University has grown into a nationally recognized institution dedicated to academic excellence, STEM leadership, and community uplift. Home of the Bulldogs and the "Showband of the South," A&M has long been a proud symbol of Black achievement in Alabama and beyond. Its beautiful hilltop campus, affectionately called "The Hill," continues to produce generations of scholars, leaders, and culture-shapers.
🐝 Alabama State: Hornet Pride Since 1867
Established in 1867 by nine formerly enslaved men as the Lincoln Normal School, Alabama State University in Montgomery has become a cornerstone of HBCU legacy in the Deep South. Known for its vibrant campus life, trailblazing alumni, and the powerhouse Mighty Marching Hornets, ASU holds deep roots in civil rights history and higher education. From Rosa Parks' connections to today’s thriving academic programs, Alabama State remains a beacon of Black excellence and resilience.
🎺 Who Runs Halftime?
Let’s be real: some fans come for the football, but the battle of the bands is the big draw for many.
Alabama A&M’s Marching Maroon and White, known as the “Showband of the South,” has been captivating audiences since 1890.
Alabama State’s Mighty Marching Hornets never disappoint. When the Honey Beez hit the field, the crowd is on its feet as they show that big girls can dance too.
👑 Legends Walk These Sidelines
From NFL icons like John Stallworth, Tarvaris Jackson, and Robert Mathis, to cultural legends like Sun Ra, Rosa Parks, Tarana Burke, and Rickey Smiley, the Classic represents generations of excellence from both universities.
🎉 More Than Just a Party
Classic Cocktails supports the Birmingham Public Library’s mission to provide the highest quality experience to our community for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment.
Guests will enjoy:
- 🎶 High-energy music by DJ French Kiss
- 🍗 Tailgate-style food
- 🍹 Two signature cocktails included
- 🥃 A premium cigar + access to the Lion’s Den Cigar Bus
More than just a party, Classic Cocktails supports the Birmingham Public Library’s mission to provide the highest quality experience to our community for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment and enjoyment. Classic Cocktails is the perfect way to jumpstart your Magic City Classic Week.
✅ Want More Info?
📅 Classic Cocktails Event Info & Tickets
🗓️ Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.
📍 Birmingham Public Library | 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL
🎟️ Ticket and event Details: https://bplclassiccocktails26.eventbrite.com
🎟️ Click here to buy tickets now on Eventbrite
Comments