The 52nd edition of the Orange Blossom Classic will bring the Florida A&M Rattlers and the defending HBCU national champion South Carolina State Bulldogs to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, September 6, with kickoff set for 3 PM ET. The matchup anchors a multi-day weekend of HBCU cultural programming, career development, and community events that have become central to the Orange Blossom Classic’s identity since the game’s return to South Florida in 2021 after a 43-year absence.
Key Takeaways
- The 52nd Orange Blossom Classic pits Florida A&M against defending Celebration Bowl champion South Carolina State at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, September 6, at 3 PM ET
- South Carolina State enters the game under head coach Chennis Berry with back-to-back MEAC championships and an undefeated conference record over two seasons; the Bulldogs won the 2025 Celebration Bowl 40–38 in four overtimes against Prairie View A&M
- South Carolina State is making its first OBC appearance since 1973, when the Bulldogs lost 23–12 to FAMU under legendary head coach Willie Jeffries
- The pregame Fan Fest, free with a game ticket, features a live performance by Trick Daddy and Trina at Hard Rock Stadium’s South Side Fountain Plaza
- Weekend programming includes a career fair hosted by CareerSource South Florida, a Career and Leadership Symposium, the GMCVB Commissioner’s Kick-Off Luncheon with a fireside chat featuring Crystal Renee Hayslett, and multiple social events
- Since the OBC’s 2021 revival, the event has raised more than $500,000 in scholarship funding; FAMU has signed an agreement to host the game in Miami through 2030
South Carolina State Arrives in Miami as the Standard-Bearer of HBCU Football
There is no program in HBCU football entering the 2026 season with more momentum than South Carolina State. In just two seasons under head coach Chennis Berry, the Bulldogs have captured consecutive MEAC championships without losing a single conference game, a 10–0 record in league play that places the program in rare historical company. South Carolina State capped the 2025 season with a dramatic 40–38 victory over Prairie View A&M in the Cricket Celebration Bowl, winning in four overtimes to claim the HBCU national championship.
The Celebration Bowl performance itself has become part of the program’s identity. Down late against a battle-tested Prairie View squad that had just competed for the SWAC championship, Berry’s team rallied in a game that is now regarded as one of the most remarkable finishes in Celebration Bowl history. Berry was subsequently named HBCU Legends’ 2025 Sports Person of the Year, a recognition of the coaching transformation he has engineered since arriving from Benedict College ahead of the 2024 season.
Berry, now in his third season at South Carolina State, has approached 2026 with the same process-driven philosophy that built the program’s championship run. With 52 newcomers joining 52 returners on the roster, Berry has been deliberate about separating the current team from last year’s accomplishments. At MEAC Football Media Day in July, Berry made the distinction plainly: the 2025 championship belongs to the 2025 team, and the 2026 Bulldogs have to earn their own identity. The championship rings, Berry noted, remain stored behind his office desk rather than displayed on a shelf.
FAMU Returns to Its Signature Classic With Transition on the Sideline
Florida A&M enters the Orange Blossom Classic in a different position. The Rattlers are navigating a coaching transition and a roster rebuild that places the program in the early stages of its next competitive cycle. The contrast with South Carolina State is part of what gives this particular edition of the OBC its narrative weight: a defending national champion operating at full institutional momentum facing a storied program working to reclaim its footing.
The Orange Blossom Classic has always drawn its energy from this kind of matchup. The game was conceived as a showcase for the highest level of HBCU football competition, and the organizers’ decision to bring in the reigning Celebration Bowl champion ensures the 52nd edition delivers on that founding premise. For FAMU, the game also represents a chance to set a tone for the season in front of a national television audience and an alumni base that views the OBC as a homecoming event regardless of the team’s current record.
FAMU’s long-term commitment to the Orange Blossom Classic is now formalized. The university has signed an agreement to host the game in Miami through 2030, locking the OBC into Hard Rock Stadium and South Florida for at least the next four editions. That agreement signals that both FAMU and the event’s organizers view the game’s future in Miami as central to its growth strategy.
The OBC’s History Stretches Back to 1933 and a 2,000-Fan Game in Jacksonville
The Orange Blossom Classic traces its origins to 1933, when the son of Florida A&M University president J.R.E. Lee Jr. organized a game at a Black-only ballpark in Jacksonville. That first edition drew 2,000 fans to watch the FAMU Rattlers defeat Howard University 9–0. The game continued as an annual invitational, with FAMU hosting different HBCU opponents across Florida through 1978.
After a 43-year absence from the calendar, the Orange Blossom Classic returned in 2021 with FAMU facing Jackson State University, then coached by Deion Sanders, in front of more than 35,000 fans at Hard Rock Stadium. The revival reestablished the OBC as a major event on the HBCU football calendar and positioned Miami Gardens as its permanent home.
The 2026 edition carries its own layer of historical resonance. South Carolina State has not appeared in the Orange Blossom Classic since 1973, when the Bulldogs lost 23–12 to FAMU under Willie Jeffries, a head coach who went on to become a foundational figure in HBCU football history. More than five decades later, South Carolina State returns to the Classic as the reigning HBCU national champion, a trajectory that frames the matchup as a meeting between the event’s deep roots and its present-day ambitions.
Labor Day Weekend Programming Extends the Classic Beyond the Sidelines
The Orange Blossom Classic has been built around the idea that the game is one component of a broader cultural and professional weekend. The 2026 programming schedule opens on Tuesday, September 1, with the OBC Career Fair at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex in Miami Gardens. Hosted in partnership with CareerSource South Florida and Teamwork Online, the fair runs from 10 AM to 2 PM and connects students, graduates, and professionals with employers across industries.
Friday, September 4, brings the GMCVB Commissioner’s Welcome Reception and Kick-Off Luncheon, presented by FPL, at Jungle Island in Miami. This year’s luncheon features a fireside chat with Crystal Renee Hayslett, the actress, producer, and philanthropist whose conversation will focus on leadership, career, purpose, and creating impact. The reception begins at 10:30 AM with a cocktail hour, followed by the luncheon at 11:30 AM.
The social programming runs through the entire weekend. Friday evening hosts the 6th Annual Denim Party. Saturday features the HBCU All White Affair. Game day events on Sunday begin with the Tobacco Free Florida Fan Fest, presented by Baptist Health, at Hard Rock Stadium’s South Side Fountain Plaza. The Fan Fest opens at noon, is free with a game ticket, and features food vendors, interactive activations, and a live performance by Trick Daddy and Trina. After kickoff, the in-stadium Yard Day Party continues the energy inside Hard Rock for an additional $25. The weekend closes Monday with a Brunch and Mimosas event.
The Career and Leadership Symposium Connects the Event to Long-Term Opportunity
The OBC Career and Leadership Symposium runs during weekend daytime sessions and is designed to connect students and young professionals with mentorship, professional development resources, and college preparation guidance. The symposium programming includes panel discussions, career resource sessions, and direct engagement with professionals across industries.
The career-facing programming reflects the Orange Blossom Classic’s positioning as an event that serves its community beyond athletics. Since its 2021 return, the OBC has raised more than $500,000 in scholarship funding, a figure that connects the game directly to educational investment. The career fair, symposium, and luncheon extend that mission into workforce development, making the weekend relevant to attendees who may not follow football closely but who value the professional and cultural infrastructure the OBC provides.
End zone tickets for the September 6 game start at $25 using the promo code OBC2026 through Ticketmaster, with Club Level upgrades available using the code CLUB2026. Fans interested in sitting near the marching bands can purchase tickets in Section 114 for South Carolina State or Section 150 for FAMU. Parking gates at Hard Rock Stadium open at 11:30 AM.
FAQs
When and Where Is the 2026 Orange Blossom Classic?
The 52nd Orange Blossom Classic takes place on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 PM ET. Parking gates open at 11:30 AM, and the pregame Fan Fest begins at noon.
Who Is Playing in the 2026 Orange Blossom Classic?
Florida A&M faces defending HBCU national champion South Carolina State. The Bulldogs enter the game with back-to-back MEAC championships and an undefeated conference record under head coach Chennis Berry. South Carolina State is making its first OBC appearance since 1973.
How Much Are Tickets for the Orange Blossom Classic?
End zone tickets start at $25 using the promo code OBC2026 through Ticketmaster. Club Level seating is available with the promo code CLUB2026. A game ticket includes access to the pregame Fan Fest, the game, the halftime Battle of the Bands, and post-game activities. The in-stadium Yard Day Party is an additional $25.
What Events Are Happening During OBC Weekend?
The weekend includes the OBC Career Fair on Tuesday, September 1, at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex; the GMCVB Commissioner’s Kick-Off Luncheon on Friday, September 4, at Jungle Island featuring a fireside chat with Crystal Renee Hayslett; the 6th Annual Denim Party on Friday evening; the HBCU All White Affair on Saturday; the Tobacco Free Florida Fan Fest with a live performance by Trick Daddy and Trina on Sunday; and a Brunch and Mimosas event on Monday, September 7.
What Is the History of the Orange Blossom Classic?
The Orange Blossom Classic was first played in 1933 in Jacksonville, Florida, when 2,000 fans watched FAMU defeat Howard University 9–0. The game ran as an annual HBCU invitational through 1978 before going on a 43-year hiatus. The OBC returned in 2021 at Hard Rock Stadium, drawing over 35,000 fans for FAMU vs. Jackson State. FAMU has signed an agreement to host the game in Miami through 2030.
Has the Orange Blossom Classic Raised Scholarship Funds?
Since its 2021 revival, the Orange Blossom Classic has raised more than $500,000 in scholarship funding. The event’s mission extends beyond athletics to include career development, community engagement, and direct educational investment for HBCU students and alumni.
