Fountain City Classic 2026 is Saturday, Nov. 7: parade 9 a.m. (live on WXTX Fox 54), Fort Valley State vs. Albany State 2 p.m. Tickets from $12.
Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Details come from the Fountain City Classic, the organizer.
The 36th annual Fountain City Classic is Saturday, Nov. 7. The day starts with the parade at 9 a.m. from Phenix City into Uptown, and Fort Valley State plays Albany State at 2 p.m. at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium. Tickets, tailgate spaces and parade entries are all on the Fountain City Classic site. Fountain City Classic office: 706-324-4080.
The short version
- Thursday, Nov. 5: Cufflinks and Pearls networking mixer, 5:30 to 9 p.m., RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, free
- Friday, Nov. 6: Coffee Sip, golf classic, Vendor Fair Village and a Friday night party
- Saturday, Nov. 7: Tailgate Village opens 7 a.m.; parade 9 a.m.; kickoff 2 p.m.
- Tickets: $20 adults, $12 children and students in advance; $25 and $15 at the gate
- Questions: 706-324-4080, info@fountaincityclassic.com
Fountain City Classic 2026 at a glance
| Game | 36th annual Fountain City Classic |
| Date | Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 2 p.m. ET |
| Teams | Fort Valley State Wildcats (visitors) vs. Albany State Golden Rams (home) |
| Stadium | A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, Columbus |
| Parade | 9 a.m., Phenix City to Uptown Columbus; live on WXTX Fox 54 |
| Tailgate Village | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., South Commons |
| Tickets | $20 adults, $12 children and students in advance |
| Office | 706-324-4080, info@fountaincityclassic.com |
Both schools play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) in NCAA Division II, so the Classic is a conference game as well as a rivalry game.
What it is
The Fountain City Classic is the annual football game between two historically Black universities, the Fort Valley State University Wildcats and the Albany State University Golden Rams. The organizer says the rivalry began in 1945 and became the Fountain City Classic in 1990, when the game moved to Columbus.
The weekend draws an estimated 45,000 people to the stadium and the grounds of South Commons, the organizer says. It is run by ASU and FVSU alumni with community and business leaders, chaired by Calvin Smyre.
The game
- When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
- Where: A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium
- Who: Fort Valley State (visitors) vs. Albany State (home)
- Halftime: FVSU’s Blue Machine Marching Band and ASU’s Marching Rams Show Band
- Bags: clear bag policy
Tickets, as the organizer’s schedule lists them:
| Ticket | In advance | At the gate |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | $20 | $25 |
| Children and students | $12 | $15 with ID |
| Children 5 and under | Free | Free |
Student tickets are checked against a student ID at the gate. Buy online through the link on the tickets page, which also lists in-person outlets, among them the Columbus Civic Center box office, 400 4th St., 706-653-4482.
The parade
The Fountain City Classic Parade steps off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. It begins on Broad Street in Phenix City, Alabama, just across the Chattahoochee River, crosses the 13th Street Bridge and continues down Broadway to 9th Street in Uptown Columbus.
- The organizer expects about 20,000 spectators along the route.
- Marching bands, dance teams and the royal courts of both schools march, led by the grand marshal.
- It is a rain-or-shine event.
- Spectator golf carts are not allowed.
- On TV: the organizer says the parade will be televised live on WXTX Fox 54, and it streams on the Fountain City Classic’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
To enter a unit: $35 per vehicle or marching unit. Registration opened Oct. 2 at noon and closes Oct. 25 at 11:59 p.m. Volunteers sign up by Oct. 26. No refunds.
Tailgate Village
Tailgate Village runs 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, on the grounds of South Commons.
| Space | Price |
|---|---|
| Parking | $10 |
| Small tent (four spaces) | $100 |
| Grassy area | $100 |
| Large tent | $200 |
| RV or camper | $200 |
- Early bird setup: Thursday, Nov. 5, 3 to 6 p.m., only for tailgaters who registered early bird ($25 online).
- Setup resumes Friday, Nov. 6, at 8 a.m. and Saturday at 7 a.m.
- No golf carts or motorized vehicles in South Commons, for patrons or vendors.
- No refunds, no exceptions.
The organizer names an official portable toilet vendor on the tailgating page, with prices that rise on Nov. 1.
The rest of the week
From the organizer’s schedule of events:
- Cufflinks and Pearls networking mixer, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Broadway and 10th Street. Free admission.
- Coffee Sip, 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, with a live remote by Foxie 105 and K92.7, prizes and giveaways.
- “Close the Gap” Golf Classic, Friday, Nov. 6, at Bull Creek Golf Course, 7333 Lynch Road, Midland. It is the 32nd annual tournament. Lunch and registration at 10 a.m., shotgun start at noon. Register on the golf page; golf contacts are Howard Pendleton, 706-575-7211, and Travis Chambers, 706-681-1939.
- Vendor Fair Village, 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Nov. 6, in the main atrium of the Columbus Convention and Trade Center, 801 Front Ave.
- The Boosie Black Tie Experience, the Friday night party, 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Nov. 6, in the Trade Center’s Foundry Room, presented with YungFly Entertainment, with K92.7’s Michael Soul and DJ Wane Hailes and Foxie 105’s DJ OO Kee. $15 in advance, $20 at the door, cash bar.
The worship service and brunch (Nov. 1), the media and coaches luncheon (Nov. 2) and the Chairman’s Reception (Nov. 6) are invitation only.
Getting there, parking and closures
- Game day: parking at Tailgate Village is $10.
- Parade: Broad Street in Phenix City, the 13th Street Bridge and Broadway carry the parade Saturday morning, so plan around that route. Neither the organizer nor the city had published closure times when this page was checked.
- Uptown parking: Uptown Columbus lists free decks, including the RiverCenter Deck at 919 Broadway (685 spaces) and the Bay Avenue Deck at Bay Avenue and 12th Street (770 spaces), on its parking page. On-street parking has a two-hour limit.
- Hotels: the organizer keeps a hotels page.
What this means for you
- Buy game tickets in advance: they are $5 cheaper for adults and $3 cheaper for children and students.
- Get to Broadway early for the 9 a.m. parade, then head to South Commons for the 2 p.m. kickoff.
- Bring a clear bag to the stadium.
For the rest of the season, see things to do this month and Friday night football.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Fountain City Classic 2026?
The 36th annual Fountain City Classic is Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. The parade starts at 9 a.m. and Fort Valley State plays Albany State at 2 p.m. at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.
How much are Fountain City Classic tickets?
The organizer lists advance tickets at $20 for adults and $12 for children and students, and $25 and $15 at the gate. Children 5 and under get in free, and students need an ID.
Is the Fountain City Classic parade on TV?
Yes. The organizer says the parade will be televised live on WXTX Fox 54, and it also streams on the Fountain City Classic’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
What is the Fountain City Classic party on Friday night?
The Boosie Black Tie Experience, 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Nov. 6, in the Foundry Room of the Columbus Convention and Trade Center, 801 Front Ave., with DJs from K92.7 and Foxie 105. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
What is the Fountain City Classic parade route?
The parade begins on Broad Street in Phenix City, crosses the 13th Street Bridge and continues down Broadway to 9th Street in Uptown Columbus.
How much is tailgating at the Fountain City Classic?
Tailgate Village parking is $10. Small tents (four spaces) and grassy areas are $100, and large tents and RVs or campers are $200, according to the organizer.
Who plays in the Fountain City Classic?
Fort Valley State University and Albany State University, two historically Black universities whose rivalry dates to 1945. The game moved to Columbus and became the Fountain City Classic in 1990.
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