![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ampsmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/magic-city-Classic-24.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBefore the players ever hit the field, the streets of downtown Birmingham came alive early Saturday morning for one of the most anticipated spectacles of the weekend\u2014the Magic City Classic Parade presented by Disney on the Yard.<\/p>\n
Starting at 18th Street N and 7th Avenue N, the parade was a colorful explosion of sound, movement, and energy. Disney on the Yard, which has become a major supporter of HBCU initiatives nationwide, brought a touch of magic to Birmingham\u2014complete with themed floats, costumed characters, and campus pride on full display.<\/p>\n
Thousands of fans lined the streets waving their school flags and cheering as the Mighty Marching Hornets of Alabama State University and the Marching Maroon and White of Alabama A&M University brought their signature precision and swagger to the route. Families, alumni, and students danced to drumline rhythms while local and national bands, dance teams, and community organizations showcased their talent. The parade, broadcast live on WBRC 6 News and Gray Television affiliates across the state, captured the joy and unity of the Classic season.<\/p>\n For Disney on the Yard, the sponsorship was more than branding\u2014it was about celebrating education, heritage, and the spirit of HBCUs. \u201cThis parade represents community, creativity, and connection,\u201d said one Disney representative. \u201cIt\u2019s a way to give back and honor the legacy of excellence that thrives at Alabama\u2019s HBCUs.\u201d<\/p>\n Tailgating, Tunes, and the Coors Light Pregame Party If the parade was the soul of the weekend, the tailgate was its beating heart. By Thursday, the Birmingham Race Course had already turned into a small city of tents, grills, and good vibes for the Magic City Classic Tailgate Festival.<\/p>\n Presented by Coca-Cola and Coors Light, the pregame celebration lived up to its reputation as the biggest tailgate party in the country. Thousands gathered to enjoy sponsor giveaways, activations, food trucks, and live performances that brought old-school funk and R&B to life.<\/p>\n Headliners Ashanti, October London, and the legendary Zapp band turned the stage into a soulful throwback showcase, delivering a night of music that spanned generations. From \u201cFoolish\u201d to \u201cComputer Love,\u201d the crowd sang every lyric, proving that the Classic is as much about cultural connection as it is competition.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is our Super Bowl,\u201d one Alabama A&M alum said while manning his grill. \u201cIt\u2019s about family, fun, and showing love for our schools. The game matters, but this\u2014this right here\u2014is what we wait all year for.\u201d<\/p>\n The Game: Alabama State Dominates When kickoff finally came on Saturday afternoon at Legion Field, the energy reached its peak. Over 69,000 fans packed into the historic stadium, waving flags, blasting horns, and filling the stands with black, gold, and maroon pride.<\/p>\n The 84th Magic City Classic did not disappoint\u2014unless you were an Alabama A&M fan. The Alabama State Hornets delivered a statement win, defeating their in-state rival 56\u201313 in a commanding performance that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive dominance.<\/p>\n ASU quarterback Andrew Body was unstoppable, completing 19 of 24 passes for 304 yards and five touchdowns, plus a rushing score. The Hornets racked up 616 total yards, controlling every aspect of the game and not committing a single turnover.<\/p>\n After an early A&M touchdown, the Hornets responded with a storm of offense\u201421 unanswered points in the first quarter and 49 total points by halftime. Receivers Jalen Jones and Dylan Creech were key weapons, while running back Jahbari Kuykendall led the rushing attack with 101 yards on just seven carries.<\/p>\n Defensively, the Hornets suffocated Alabama A&M\u2019s offense, holding them to just 136 total yards and forcing two interceptions. Jalil Lenore and Birmingham native Jalen Jones earned MVP honors for their stellar play on both sides of the ball.<\/p>\n With the win, Alabama State improved to 5\u20132 overall and 3\u20131 in SWAC play, notching their fourth straight Magic City Classic victory. Head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. remains undefeated in Classic games, continuing a new era of Hornet dominance.<\/p>\n \u201cThis game means everything to our players, our alumni, and our city,\u201d Robinson said postgame. \u201cWe don\u2019t take this tradition lightly. It\u2019s about representing our university with pride and giving our fans something to celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n The Battle of the Bands: A Halftime for the Ages No Magic City Classic would be complete without its halftime show, often called the \u201csecond half\u201d of the Classic. The football game might have determined the score, but halftime decided the bragging rights.<\/p>\n As the clock hit zero in the second quarter, the field transformed into a stage for the ultimate musical showdown\u2014the Battle of the Bands between Alabama A&M\u2019s Marching Maroon and White and Alabama State\u2019s Mighty Marching Hornets.<\/p>\n Both bands delivered a spectacle that left the crowd roaring. A&M\u2019s Maroon and White dazzled with their sharp formations, brass-heavy covers, and dance breaks, while ASU\u2019s Mighty Hornets brought the thunder with synchronized energy, precision drumlines, and bold choreography.<\/p>\n The fans didn\u2019t just watch\u2014they participated, cheering every high note and chant. From Earth, Wind & Fire tributes to Beyonc\u00e9 mashups, the halftime battle was a reminder that music, movement, and rhythm are just as central to HBCU culture as the gridiron itself.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s more than entertainment\u2014it\u2019s identity,\u201d said one ASU band alum. \u201cWe express who we are through every beat and every step. The band is the heartbeat of the Classic.\u201d<\/p>\n History and Heritage: 80 Years of Magic The Magic City Classic isn\u2019t just a football game\u2014it\u2019s a living piece of American history. Since 1945, Alabama A&M and Alabama State have come together every fall to celebrate rivalry, resilience, and community spirit.<\/p>\n Over the decades, the Classic has grown into the largest HBCU event in the United States, drawing fans from across the nation. It\u2019s a celebration of Black culture, higher education, and Southern pride that bridges generations and strengthens community ties.<\/p>\n From the early years at Legion Field to today\u2019s ESPN broadcasts and celebrity appearances, the Classic has been a platform for showcasing HBCU excellence. It\u2019s also been an engine for the Birmingham economy, injecting over $25 million annually and supporting countless small businesses and vendors.<\/p>\n This year, that legacy continued as ESPN\u2019s \u201cFirst Take\u201d broadcast live from downtown Birmingham, with Stephen A. Smith and Cam Newton bringing national attention and fiery debate to the festivities. Their presence highlighted just how important this event has become on both a cultural and athletic level.<\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n