Annual Football Game Marks the Start of HBCU Football Season
ATLANTA – (August 23, 2024) – The ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau, the destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, Ga., is proud to sponsor the 2024 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off, an annual football game showcasing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Owned and operated by ESPN Events, the 2024 game will symbolize the opening of the HBCU football season, as the 2023 HBCU National Champions, Florida A&M Rattlers, face the Norfolk State Spartans, who are appearing in their first Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off, at Atlanta’s Center Parc Stadium. This exciting matchup will be televised live on ABC on Saturday, August 24, at 7:30 p.m., providing a national audience for both HBCU programs and conferences.
“The District is thrilled to once again support the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off and we look forward to celebrating the HBCU community this August,” said Cookie Smoak, president of the ATL Airport District. “We love seeing the cheering section filled with alumni and football fans who have travelled from all across the east coast to watch these talented young athletes pursue their passion and set the tone for the 2024 HBCU football season.”
The Coca-Cola Fan Experience, happening during Saturday’s pregame, will include a band jamboree featuring performances by the Stephenson and Southwest Dekalb high school marching bands, followed by the “Marching 100” and “Spartan Legion” marching bands.
“As we enter the 19th year of this game, and the seventh year in Atlanta, we are honored to host it at Center Parc Stadium, the iconic venue that once housed the 1996 Olympic games. I also want to express my gratitude to the ATL Airport District for their continuous support year after year,” said John Grant, executive director of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off. “The significance of this game extends beyond the field, resonating with fans and viewers across the nation. In the spirit of growth and innovation, this year we will see a record number of HBCU games televised on major networks. Together, we will continue to elevate HBCU college football and inspire the next generation of players and fans.”
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge debuted as a Labor Day Weekend event in 2005 at historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, where it remained for three years before moving to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida., from 2008 to 2015. The game was hosted on campus sites in 2016 (MEAC team campus) and 2017 (SWAC team campus). In 2018, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge established a new home in Atlanta at Georgia State University where it has continued to remain.
For tickets, games, and ancillary information about the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off, visit www.meacswacchallenge.com. Stay up-to-date on the latest MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off by following them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
To learn more about the ATL Airport District CVB, call 404-334-7500 or visit ATLdistrict.com. For updates on everything in the District, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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About the ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau
The ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, Georgia. Home to the world’s most traveled airport, Georgia’s second-largest convention center, more than 7,000 hotel rooms, an abundance of arts and culture, an eclectic mix of great restaurants, and located just minutes from downtown Atlanta, the ATL Airport District offers big-city amenities balanced with Southern charm.
About ESPN Events:
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In 2024, the 34-event schedule includes four early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events, the premier regular season college softball and gymnastics events, as well as the Band of the Year National Championship. Collectively, these events account for over 400 hours of live programming on ESPN platforms, reaching 60 million viewers and attracting more than 650,000 annual attendees. Each year, the portfolio of events features more than 20 Division I conferences and hosts over 4,000 participating student-athletes. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans. For more information, visit ESPNevents.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter/X and YouTube.
