The Celebration Bowl: A Decade of Championship Football and HBCU Legacy

The Celebration Bowl is a postseason college football bowl game that began in the 2015 season. It is contested between the champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the two prominent conferences of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in NCAA Division I. The game serves as the de facto national championship of black college football. The Celebration Bowl is held annually in Atlanta on the third weekend of December and has been played at the Georgia Dome and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Celebrating a Decade of MEAC/SWAC Rivalry

The Celebration Bowl is celebrating 10 years of championship football between the MEAC and SWAC. This annual event showcases the rich heritage, legacy, pageantry, and tradition of HBCU football. It provides players, alumni, fans, viewers, and sponsors with a first-class bowl experience while highlighting the contributions, excellence, and impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Ticket Information

Tickets are available for the Celebration Bowl, offering fans the opportunity to witness this exciting matchup between the MEAC and SWAC champions.

Become an Ambassador

Enthusiastic individuals can become a brand ambassador and be part of an impactful team representing ESPN Events with professionalism. Ambassadors play an essential role in the success of the event, contributing dedication and positive energy.

Know Before You Go

To ensure a smooth game-day experience, attendees should prepare by planning for parking, reviewing stadium policies, and checking the event schedule.

A Brief History

The Cricket Celebration Bowl was announced at the College Football Hall of Fame in March 2015. The inaugural game in 2015 saw North Carolina A&T defeat Alcorn State 41-34 in front of over 35,000 fans at the Georgia Dome. In 2016, the event's average viewership reached 2.71 million. The 2021 game hosted a record 48,653 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Celebration Bowl is a successor to two previous bowl games between the MEAC and SWAC, the Pelican Bowl and Heritage Bowl. From 1991-99, the Heritage Bowl also pitted teams from the SWAC and MEAC against one another, though it rarely featured the champions of both conferences. The final seven of nine Heritage Bowls were played in Atlanta, though Hampton’s 24-3 victory against Southern in December 1999 would mark the last time the game was staged. Prior to that, there was the Pelican Bowl, which was held three times in the 1970s, and the Orange Blossom Classic, which would match up Florida A&M against another top HBCU program at the end of the season, with the winner frequently being deemed the Black national champion. The Orange Blossom Classic returned in 2021, though it’s now held at the beginning of the season.

HBCU Football Roots

The journey to The Cricket Celebration Bowl began on December 27, 1892, when the first Black Intercollegiate football game was played between Biddle College (now Johnson C. Smith University) and Livingstone College. This historic game, played on the snowy front lawn of Livingstone College in North Carolina, symbolizes the heritage, legacy, pageantry, and tradition of HBCU football. The Cricket Celebration Bowl trophy commemorates this inaugural game and its players.

Past Results and Memorable Moments

The MEAC leads the SWAC in the all-time series 6-3. North Carolina A&T has been the most frequent winner of the game, with four victories in four appearances.

Notable Games

2015: North Carolina A&T 41, Alcorn State 34. Tarik Cohen of North Carolina A&T rushed for a game-high 295 yards and three touchdowns, earning him the offensive Most Valuable Player honors. Denzel Jones was selected as defensive Most Valuable Player.
2016: Grambling State 10, North Carolina Central 9. Grambling State's Joseph McWilliams blocked a potential game-tying extra point, securing the win for the Tigers. Martez Carter and Jameer Jackson were named the Offensive and Defensive Most Valuable Players.
2017: North Carolina A&T 21, Grambling State 14. Marquell Cartwright of North Carolina A&T rushed for 29 yards and one touchdown, earning Offensive MVP honors. Franklin McClain III was the defensive MVP.
2018: North Carolina A&T 24, Alcorn State 22. Malik Wilson of North Carolina A&T returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown.
2019: North Carolina A&T 64, Alcorn State 44. North Carolina A&T and Alcorn State combined to set several records, including most points combined (108) and most total yards (1,034). A&T quarterback Kylil Carter had six touchdown passes, earning him the offensive MVP. Jacob Roberts was the game’s defensive MVP.
2021: South Carolina State 31, Jackson State 10. South Carolina State's defense held Jackson State to Celebration Bowl lows in team rushing yards (19) and total yards (194). SCSU’s Shaquan Davis was the Bowl’s Offensive MVP with five catches for 95 yards and three scores. Decobie Durant earned Defensive MVP honors.
2022: North Carolina Central 41, Jackson State 34. NCCU rolled up 482 yards of total offense. Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 30 of 40 attempts for 349 yards and four scores.
2023: Florida A&M 30, Howard 26. Florida A&M’s Jeremy Moussa tossed three fourth-period touchdowns. Isaiah Major was named the defensive MVP.

Quotes from Key Figures

Tarik Cohen (North Carolina A&T, 2015): "It gave us something to play for at the end of the year for playoffs."
Denzel Jones (North Carolina A&T, 2015): "The experience [in Atlanta] was unforgettable. It was a lot of people there at the time."
Kylil Carter (North Carolina A&T, 2019): "I feel like that win put Grambling back in a position to get funded. They got better situations as far as lockers and weight rooms and just more things that they can use as far as scholarship money."
Lamar Raynard (North Carolina A&T, 2018): "I just knew it was the last game of my college career, and MVP really wasn’t on my mind. I just wanted to win."
Isaiah Major (Florida A&M, 2023): "You got to play complementary football, and you got to have an unselfish team. Guys got to be interested in winning the game."
Richard (Florida A&M, 2023): "Just going into the game, we knew we were one of the best in the HBCU world, not just SWAC or MEAC but HBCU football in its entirety."

The Significance of the Celebration Bowl

The Celebration Bowl holds significant importance for HBCUs, providing a platform to showcase their talent, tradition, and culture. The game brings attention to the programs and players, offering opportunities for NFL scouts and potential enrollees. It also fosters a sense of pride and community among alumni, students, and fans.

Economic Impact

The Celebration Bowl has a positive economic impact on the participating schools and the host city of Atlanta. The game generates revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and tourism, contributing to the local economy.

Showcasing HBCU Talent

The Celebration Bowl provides a national stage for HBCU players to demonstrate their skills and abilities. Many players have used the game as a springboard to professional careers in the NFL.

Cultural Celebration

The Celebration Bowl is more than just a football game; it is a cultural celebration that highlights the unique traditions and pageantry of HBCUs. The event features spirited halftime performances by the schools' marching bands and showcases the vibrant atmosphere of HBCU life. From Pep Rallies to the 5th Quarter, join in all of the fun the HBCU community is about.

Looking Ahead

The Celebration Bowl continues to be a prominent event in college football, celebrating the legacy and tradition of HBCUs. The 2025 Celebration Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The third annual Band of the Year National Championship will be held one day before the Celebration Bowl on Friday, Dec. 12 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Bands from the top two Division I HBCUs and the top two Division II HBCUs will compete for the Band of the Year title.

The Future of HBCU Football

The Celebration Bowl plays a crucial role in promoting and preserving HBCU football. As the game continues to grow in popularity and recognition, it will help ensure that HBCUs remain an integral part of the college football landscape for years to come.

Read also: Top HBCU Bands

Hypothetical Matchups: A Look Back

Before the advent of the Celebration Bowl, hypothetical matchups between MEAC and SWAC champions sparked considerable debate. One such scenario involved the 2001 season, featuring Florida A&M and Grambling State.

2001: A Game That Never Was

In 2001, Florida A&M, led by quarterback Quinn Gray, and Grambling State, boasting a potent offense, were both 2-0 and ranked as the top two HBCU programs in the country. Their highly anticipated matchup at the Riverfront Classic in Cincinnati was canceled in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The cancellation dealt a major financial blow, reportedly costing each school up to $400,000.

Alternate History

Had the game been played, it would have been a defining moment in HBCU football history. Given Grambling State’s superior overall record, higher national ranking, and recognition as black college national champions, they would have been the likely victors in a hypothetical 2001 Celebration Bowl matchup of Division I HBCU champions.

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