Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic Schedule of Events
2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS / FAN GUIDE
*All events, locations, artists and times subject to change.*
Thursday, Sept. 3
*All events, locations, artists and times subject to change.
READING THE PLAYBOOK
9 a.m. | Stark and Summit County Schools
Our local community partners along with Stark and Summit County's The Divine Nine (Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority organizations) come together to coach kids on their way to orchestrate an educational touchdown through a “Reading the Playbook” event during the Classic weekend. Elementary school students will receive guidance from these leaders and mentors with a time of reading and inspirational words to prepare them for the game of life.
CLASSIC COLLEGE FAIR
9 a.m. - Noon | Bulldog Activity Center, 521 Tuscarawas St. W, Canton, OH
Colleges from around the nation, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, come together to give high school students an opportunity to learn about, apply to and earn scholarships from their institutions at the 5th annual Classic College Fair at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. In addition to interacting with college representatives, the Fair will include live breakout sessions with college personnel presenting on the admissions process and current or former HBCU students presenting on the experience of attending an HBCU. Please RSVP to secure spots for your students. Seating and capacity are limited for this event. For more information or to reserve spots for your students, contact Education@ProFootballHOF.com.
Friday, Sept. 4
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY DAY OF SERVICE
9 a.m. - Noon | Habitat for Humanity Campus, 1400 Raff Road SW, Canton, OH 44710
Team up with Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio for a “Building Blitz” volunteer opportunity. Help build and paint garden sheds that are part of every home purchased by Habitat families. No experience or tools required. Bring good team spirit, and Habitat will provide all the necessary tools and materials. Huddle up and help make a difference that lasts with Habitat for Humanity! This rain-or-shine event is free, but registration is required. All participants must be at least 18 years old.
Classic Comedy Show
TBD | Nash Family Event and Conference Center, Pro Football Hall of Fame
An evening full of laughter and fellowship showcasing local and national comedians to help raise funds for Chasing Hope House that helps teens/young adults transition into adulthood.
Saturday, Sept. 5
CLEARVIEW GOLF CLASSIC
9 a.m. tee time | Clearview Golf Club
The Clearview Golf Classic is another special event in which you can partake with Black College Football Hall of Famers. Join them at historic Clearview Golf Club for a chance to play with these legends of the game. Clearview is an extraordinary golf course that was constructed, owned and operated by Bill Powell, making it the first club in America built by an African American. Clearview Golf Club is now owned by Bill’s daughter Renee Powell, the second African American to participate in the LPGA. For more information, contact Vince Guardado at Vince.Guardado@ProFootballHOF.com.
Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Plaque Unveiling
4:30 p.m. | Pro Football Hall of Fame Campus
Come together in the Black College Football Hall of Fame Gallery located inside of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the unveiling of the Class of 2026 plaques in their permanent home.
CLASSIC BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Time: 6 p.m. | Crenshaw Middle School, 2525 19th St. NE, Canton, OH
This is an event you don’t want to miss! Witness an epic competition between Albany State’s Marching Rams Show Band and Johnson C. Smith’s International Institution of Sound Marching Band. Featuring drum lines, dancers and unique musicianship, as well as performances by each schools cheerleading teams, this will make for a one-of-a-kind experience.
OFFICIAL ALL WHITE AFFAIR
9 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. | Community Event | La Pizzaria, 3656 Dressler Road NW, Canton, OH
Back by popular demand for Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic Weekend is the Official All White Affair presented by The Divine Nine. Get your tickets and your white outfit and get ready to start the night with the smooth sounds of Hubb's Groove, then prepare to turn it up with DJ Lo-Key. If you attended last year, you already know! If you missed it last year, don't sleep on this! Get your tickets now; this event will sell out! For more information, contact Monty Pender at 330-754-4376.
Sunday, Sept. 6
CECELIA PONDER TIME OF INSPIRATION
9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Community Event | Gold Jacket Lounge, Pro Football Hall of Fame
A time to come together prior to kickoff to share inspiration and celebrate the weekend. With music, arts and special messages, the event invites individuals and groups to gather together and highlight the importance of the Classic Weekend and celebrate community.
THE CLASSIC TAILGATE
11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
A Classic Weekend tradition! Get ready for an energetic pregame experience on the Pro Football Hall of Fame campus before kickoff. The tailgate will include nonstop entertainment such as music, dancing and more. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
MINORITY BUSINESS RECEPTION
11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Pro Football Hall of Fame
Canton has been recognized as an ideal location for the development and growth of minority businesses in Stark County. The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Stark Economic Development Board, Stark County Minority Business Association and Stark County Moving Forward have been instrumental in paving the way to assisting the expansion of minority businesses. This Minority Business Reception is a networking opportunity intended to provide a relaxed business-friendly, inspiring and informative atmosphere for minority-owned and non-minority-owned businesses to meet and greet others; enjoy food, cocktails, entertainment and conversations; and exchange business cards with the hopes of creating new business relationships and the confidence to advance current ones.
2026 CLASH AT THE CLASSIC, FEATURING ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY VS. JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY
4 p.m. | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
Come watch a showdown of defending conference champions from the SIAC & CIAA as the Golden Rams of Albany State take on the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith. These conference champions will battle in what will be a title game atmosphere at the magnificent Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. After the game, stay to see the presentation of the MVP awards and the trophy to the winning team.
Group ticket rates available, please contact Rob Sine at Rob.Sine@ProFootballHOF.com.
THE FIFTH QUARTER
Immediately following the game | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
Stay after the game to watch an exciting HBCU marching band tradition known as the Fifth Quarter. Albany State’s Marching Rams Show Band and Johnson C. Smith’s International Institution of Sound Marching Band will battle back and forth to close out the afternoon.
Tuesday, Sept. 22
BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME COMMUNITY CAREER FAIR
2 - 4 p.m. | Pro Football Hall of Fame Campus
The fourth annual BCFHOF Community Career Fair is returning to highlight job opportunities throughout Stark and Tuscarawas Counties. Come and seek career development opportunities and find careers that offer “life-sustaining salaries” in a variety of high-demand industries.
MUSEUM HOURS/RATES
MUSEUM HOURS
Thursday, Sept. 3: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 4: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
MUSEUM ADMISSION RATES
General admission: $45.95
Children (6-12): $38.95
Children (under 6): FREE
Hall of Fame Members: FREE (Join today)