Orange Blossom Classic Set for 3 PM Kickoff on ESPN for Labor Day Weekend Showdown

MIAMI GARDENS, FL (May 27, 2026) — The Orange Blossom Classic Committee officially announced today that the 2026 Orange Blossom Classic featuring the South Carolina State University Bulldogs and the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Rattlers will kick off at 3:00 PM ET on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The game will air nationally on ESPN as part of one of the premier HBCU football weekends in the country.

The nationally recognized HBCU Labor Day Weekend tradition returns with two championship-caliber programs, passionate fan bases, legendary marching bands, and a full week of events celebrating culture, community, education, and opportunity throughout South Florida.

This year’s matchup features South Carolina State Head Coach Chennis Berry and Florida A&M Head Coach Quinn Gray Sr., two coaches who have quickly elevated their respective programs and built championship momentum entering the 2026 season.

Berry enters his third season at South Carolina State after making an immediate historic impact in year one, leading the Bulldogs to the program’s 19th MEAC Championship and a Celebration Bowl appearance while becoming the first head coach in school history to win a conference championship in his first season. Berry earned MEAC Coach of the Year honors and helped position the Bulldogs among the top programs nationally in several offensive and defensive categories throughout the 2025 season.

Gray, a Fort Lauderdale native and Dillard High School alumnus, returns home to South Florida after leading Albany State University to one of the most successful seasons in school history before being named the 20th head coach of Florida A&M University. A former standout quarterback for the Rattlers and NFL veteran, Gray remains one of the most recognizable names in program history and now returns to South Florida leading FAMU onto one of HBCU football’s biggest stages.

“The Orange Blossom Classic represents the very best of HBCU culture, pride, tradition, and community,” said Kendra Bulluck, Executive Director of the Orange Blossom Classic. “From the excitement surrounding this year’s matchup to the energy throughout Miami Gardens and South Florida all weekend long, OBC continues to create an experience that brings people together and celebrates the legacy and impact of HBCUs on a national stage.”

The 2026 Orange Blossom Classic Week will include several signature events and community activations leading into game day, including:

• OBC Career Fair hosted in partnership with CareerSource South Florida and TeamWork Online

• GMCVB Welcome Reception and Luncheon presented by FPL

• Community activations and cultural events throughout South Florida

• The Tobacco Free Florida Fanfest Presented by Baptist Health, free with game day admission, featuring live entertainment, vendors, music, food, giveaways, and fan engagement outside Hard Rock Stadium before kickoff

• The highly anticipated halftime performance featuring South Carolina State’s Marching 101 and FAMU’s world-renowned Marching “100”

Fans can expect a full HBCU Weekend experience combining football, bands, culture, entertainment, networking, alumni reunions, community engagement, and South Florida energy all leading into game day at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Orange Blossom Classic remains committed to its mission of celebrating and elevating Historically Black Colleges and Universities while creating meaningful economic, educational, and community impact opportunities throughout Miami Gardens and beyond.

For tickets, hotels, travel information, and a full list of official Orange Blossom Classic events and experiences, visit orangeblossomclassic.com.