Last Updated on October 3, 2026
Okay, Montgomery… Thanksgiving is about to look different. 🦃🏈
Picture it. A concert the night before. Parade in the morning. Football by afternoon. Turkey whenever you can squeeze it in.
That’s the Turkey Day Classic 2026, and it’s happening Thursday, Nov. 26. Alabama State hosts Tuskegee in the oldest Black college football classic there is.
Since 1924. Let that sink in.
So we put everything in one place: the date, the Music Fest, the parade, the tickets, the history, and how to plan the trip without losing your mind.
Bookmark it. Screenshot it. Drop it in the group chat. 📲
Turkey Day Classic 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Music Fest | Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026. Doors 6 p.m., show 8 p.m., Dunn-Oliver Acadome (tickets) |
| Parade | Thursday, Nov. 26, 8 a.m., Dexter Avenue, downtown Montgomery |
| Game | Tuskegee at Alabama State, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 2 p.m. CT (3 p.m. ET) |
| Location | ASU Stadium, Montgomery, AL |
| Watch | HBCU GO TV |
| Edition | 102nd Turkey Day Classic (106th meeting overall) |
| Game tickets | Buy online through Alabama State |
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What Is the Turkey Day Classic?
Before the Bayou Classic. Before the Magic City Classic. This one was already a tradition.
Alabama State University and Tuskegee University kicked off the Turkey Day Classic in 1924. Alabama State calls it the first Black college football classic, and real ones know that’s not a small claim.
And the rivalry? Still a debate.
Tuskegee leads the all-time series 62-40-3. But the Hornets took the 2025 game 44-13, so the Golden Tigers have something to prove.
The tradition has survived some bumps, too. The series paused from 2013 to 2020, then came back in 2021. In 2024, the Classic hit its 100th game.
A hundred Thanksgivings of football. Excellence. Period. 🏆
Why This Year’s Game Is a Big One
Here’s the part nobody’s saying loud enough: the Classic isn’t promised past 2026.
Alabama State and Tuskegee agreed to a one-year extension. That’s what keeps the game on this Thanksgiving’s calendar.
So what’s the holdup? Timing.
Alabama State plays in the FCS. Tuskegee plays in Division II. Both postseasons kick off right around Thanksgiving week, and the Classic lands in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
Alabama State’s athletic director, Jason Cable, called the extension “a step in the right direction.” Translation: not a long-term deal. A green light for now.
What happens after this year? Nobody’s announced a plan.
Which means this game hits different. Whether it’s your school or not, this is one to show up for. ✊🏾
The Turkey Day Classic 2026 Parade
Want to know the best part? It starts before the game does.
The parade kicks off at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, down Dexter Avenue in downtown Montgomery. More than 160 campus organizations, businesses, and churches typically roll through.
Bands. Step teams. Floats. School spirit before most folks have finished breakfast.
Get there early. Dexter Avenue fills up fast.
The Turkey Day Classic 2026 Music Fest
Here’s the part that turns this into a whole weekend. 🎤
The night before the game, the Turkey Day Classic Music Fest takes over the Dunn-Oliver Acadome in Montgomery.
It’s Wednesday, Nov. 25. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8.
The 2026 lineup is a Southern hip-hop and R&B reunion:
- T.I.
- Tonio Armani
- 112
- 8Ball & MJG
- Chanté Moore
DJ Stormy and DJ Freddy Fingaz are the music directors.
Tickets start at $62.15, all fees included, with seating in Sections A, B, and C & D. Make it your Thanksgiving Eve tradition.
Prefer in person? Pick them up at the ASU Stadium Box Office or Heritage Barbershop, or charge by phone at 1-800-514-3849.
Presented by Variety Entertainment. More details on Experience Montgomery.
Heads up: the concert is Wednesday night, and the parade starts at 8 a.m. Thursday. Pace yourself. 😅
What to Expect on Game Day
Listen… it’s an HBCU football game. The football is only part of the show.
Both schools bring their bands, and halftime is a main event. Plan your snack run around it, not through it. 🥁
Expect tailgates before kickoff. Alumni reunions in the parking lot. Family traditions that started decades ago. For a lot of people, this is Thanksgiving.
And on the field? The Hornets are coming off their best season in years, with 10 wins in 2025. Tuskegee never backs down from this rivalry either.
Curious how these schools stack up? Check our HBCU rankings hub.
So yes, watch the scoreboard. Just don’t skip the band show.
Want to catch the bands in action first? Here’s our guide to HBCU marching bands.
Turkey Day Classic 2026 Tickets and Game Day Logistics
Kickoff is at 2 p.m. Central (3 p.m. Eastern) at ASU Stadium.
Can’t make it to Montgomery? The game is listed on HBCU GO TV.
Tickets are available through Alabama State’s online ticket page. Prefer in person? Contact the ASU Ticket Office.
A few quick game day tips:
- Buy early. This Classic has drawn more than 27,000 fans, with a record 27,858 in 2019. See how it stacks up in our top HBCU football classics by attendance.
- Plan around the parade. It’s a morning event and the game is in the afternoon, so leave breathing room.
- Doing the Music Fest too? Wednesday night, parade Thursday morning. Book lodging for both nights.
- Check the weather. Late November in Alabama can swing. Bring layers.
Plan Your Trip to Montgomery
Thanksgiving travel is its own sport. 😅
Book your lodging as early as you can. Montgomery is a smaller market, and the Classic fills rooms every year.
Flying in? Check prices the second your dates are locked. Driving? Leave extra time, because holiday week traffic does not care about your kickoff.
Not sure what else to do in town? Experience Montgomery keeps a Thanksgiving in Montgomery guide with events and ideas for the holiday weekend.
And if Thanksgiving dinner is part of the plan, lock in that reservation now too.
Thanksgiving Week in HBCU Football
Even bigger? The Turkey Day Classic isn’t the only classic on the calendar.
Thanksgiving week is stacked:
- Nov. 21: Florida Classic, Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M, in Orlando
- Nov. 21: Soul Bowl, Jackson State at Alcorn State, in Lorman
- Nov. 26: Turkey Day Classic, Tuskegee at Alabama State, in Montgomery
- Nov. 28: Bayou Classic, Grambling State vs. Southern, in New Orleans
And the Celebration Bowl follows on Dec. 12 in Atlanta.
Want every date, matchup, and location in one place? Check our full HBCU football classics schedule 2026. Still planning a fall trip? Every homecoming date through November lives on its own page.
Rep Your School on Game Day
Show up in the right colors. 👀
Shop officially licensed Tuskegee and Alabama State gear, plus hoodies, tees, and tailgate essentials for the whole crew.
As a Fanatics affiliate, HBCU Lifestyle may earn a commission on purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Turkey Day Classic 2026 FAQ
When is the Turkey Day Classic 2026?
The Turkey Day Classic 2026 is on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, which is Thanksgiving Day. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. Central (3 p.m. Eastern).
When is the Turkey Day Classic Music Fest 2026?
The Turkey Day Classic Music Fest is on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026, the night before the game. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome in Montgomery.
Who is performing at the Turkey Day Classic Music Fest?
The 2026 lineup includes T.I., Tonio Armani, 112, 8Ball & MJG, and Chanté Moore.
How can I watch the Turkey Day Classic?
Alabama State lists the game on HBCU GO TV. Check the Alabama State athletics site closer to game day for any broadcast updates.
Where is the Turkey Day Classic 2026 played?
The game is at ASU Stadium on the campus of Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama. Alabama State hosts Tuskegee this year.
Who plays in the Turkey Day Classic 2026?
Alabama State University and Tuskegee University. The Hornets and the Golden Tigers have been meeting in this Thanksgiving tradition since 1924.
What time does the Turkey Day Classic 2026 parade start?
The parade starts at 8 a.m. on Dexter Avenue in downtown Montgomery on Thanksgiving morning.
How do I get Turkey Day Classic 2026 tickets?
Buy online through Alabama State’s ticket page, or contact the ASU Ticket Office.
How long has the Turkey Day Classic been played?
The first Turkey Day Classic was in 1924. The 2026 game is the 102nd Classic and the 106th meeting between the two schools, with a pause from 2013 to 2020.
Is this the last Turkey Day Classic?
Not necessarily. Alabama State and Tuskegee agreed to a one-year extension through 2026, but no plans past this year have been announced.
Who leads the Turkey Day Classic series?
Tuskegee leads the all-time series 62-40-3. Alabama State won the most recent meeting, 44-13, in 2025.
Is this guide updated regularly?
Yes. We check the kickoff time, parade details, and ticket info again the week of Nov. 16 and update this guide if anything changes.
That’s the Turkey Day Classic 2026. A Music Fest on Wednesday night. A parade and the oldest Black college football classic on Thursday. A century of Thanksgiving football. And a rivalry that’s still writing chapters.
That’s the HBCU difference. Now go book the room. ✊🏾
Want more? Check the full HBCU football classics schedule 2026 and join The HBCU Roundup for what’s coming next.
