For the second straight season, the Southern Heritage Classic will be a SWAC West Division showdown in Memphis.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will again face Alcorn State at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium this fall. The game is returning to its typical calendar spot and will be played on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. on HBCU GO.
“We are very excited to have the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Alcorn State return to Memphis for a second straight year,” Classic founder Fred Jones Jr. said. “It’s very pleasing to be able to present different schools while still maintaining a high standard of competition and entertainment at the same time.
“We look forward to the ever-present challenge of always improving our event, as it reflects on our great city, our unique culture, and the visibility of the competing institutions.”
Last year’s game was played without a long-term contract, but the Classic announced Thursday it has signed a contract to continue playing at Liberty Stadium on the second Saturday in September through 2032.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
A UAPB spokesperson told the Commercial the long-term contract is specifically between the event and the venue and does not currently include UAPB or Alcorn State, meaning the Classic’s matchup beyond 2026 is yet to be settled.
UAPB has participated in the past three editions of the Classic, losing twice to Tennessee State before defeating Alcorn 24-20 in last year’s game. Alcorn will be the designated home team this year after UAPB was the home team in 2025.
The Classic dates back to 1990 and traditionally pitted Tennessee State against Jackson State until JSU pulled out with two years remaining on the game’s previous contract. UAPB stepped in to replace the Tigers in 2023 and 2024. TSU backed out after the contract expired, with Alcorn agreeing to replace TSU last season.
A release from UAPB and the Classic said the renovations to the stadium, which have been noticeable during the past two editions of the game, are on schedule to be completed prior to the 2026 football season.
UAPB has not yet announced its full 2026 schedule, but Thursday’s announcement brings the total number of known dates to five. UAPB will travel to the University of Missouri the week prior to the Classic. The Golden Lions previously announced they will host Alabama State for homecoming on Oct. 17.
Florida A&M and Prairie View A&M have already released their schedules, which show UAPB will travel to FAMU on Oct. 24 and host Prairie View on Nov. 14.