Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University are taking a century-old rivalry and stretching it into a three-day HBCU block party this Labor Day weekend when the inaugural ATL Labor Day Classic kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at B.T. Harvey Stadium. Organizers are billing the new event as a packed showcase of marching-band pageantry, alumni tailgates, hospitality activations and community programming wrapped around the football matchup. The weekend is also being positioned as both a fundraiser and a cultural spotlight for the Atlanta University Center.
According to Atlanta Daily World, the ATL Labor Day Classic is being developed and promoted by 91 Sixty Seven Sports & Entertainment in cooperation with Morehouse College Athletics, Clark Atlanta University Athletics and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. On its official site, 91 Sixty Seven describes the weekend as a flagship HBCU experience intended to elevate on-campus traditions and deepen alumni engagement.
A three-day AUC celebration
As outlined on the official ATL Labor Day Classic website, the festivities begin Friday, Sept. 4, with a Yard Fest and student-focused programming that set the stage for Saturday’s main event. The event site details a slate of fan experiences, alumni gatherings and hospitality activations, while Morehouse’s athletics schedule confirms a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 5 at B.T. Harvey Stadium. Tickets and hospitality packages are available through the Classic’s website.
Rivalry and community
Morehouse and Clark Atlanta have been lining up across from each other for more than a century, a rivalry organizers say dates to 1900, and the Classic is meant to “build a bigger stage” around that shared history, event co-founder Jerry Freeman said in Atlanta Daily World. Organizers say the expanded weekend will strengthen alumni connections, support student scholarships and spotlight the band-driven pageantry that has long defined HBCU football culture.
Organizers also note that broadcast and streaming partners will be announced in the coming weeks, and the event site lists an expected crowd of more than 10,000 over three days along with premium hospitality options. According to 91 Sixty Seven, proceeds and sponsorships from the Classic will support scholarship initiatives and student-athlete development efforts tied to the event.
Morehouse’s official athletics calendar lists the matchup as a home game at B.T. Harvey Stadium and includes watch information via the SIAC network. Fans are encouraged to keep an eye on both the college and event websites for parking, ticketing and safety updates as Labor Day weekend approaches. Expect heavier traffic around the Atlanta University Center and plan your game-day travel with a little extra cushion.
