BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Classic Week is in full swing in Birmingham, Ala., and it builds to Saturday, when Alabama A&M and Alabama State meet in the 85th Magic City Classic at Legion Field. Kickoff between the two SWAC rivals is 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Gates at the stadium open two hours early, at 12:30 p.m. A general admission seat costs $27.50 and a reserved seat is $38.50. Seating for fans who need ADA access is in the south end zone. Organizers bill the game as the top HBCU classic in the nation, and for many fans the halftime show matters as much as the score, when the Marching Maroon and White of A&M square off with the Mighty Marching Hornets of State.
Saturday starts early downtown. The parade steps off at 8 a.m. from Seventh Avenue North at 18th Street North, and it ends near Fourth Avenue North and 16th Street North. It goes on whether it rains or not, and watching is free. A pregame tailgate party is planned in the west side parking lot at Legion Field.
Drivers should plan around closures that begin at 9 a.m. near the stadium, inside a zone framed by Interstate 20/59, Third Avenue West, Center Street and Arkadelphia Road. Parking on the stadium lots runs $50 a car, and accessible spaces in Lot F, off Graymont Avenue, go first-come, first-served.
Shuttles are the cheaper route, at $5 round trip and free for kids 6 and under, with card payment only. Rides from the Birmingham CrossPlex at 2340 CrossPlex Blvd. start at 9 a.m., and a second pickup near Boutwell Auditorium, at 801 19th St. North, starts at noon. Both keep running until two hours after the final whistle.
Before game day, a free tailgate festival on Thursday features Summer Walker, Tank and Avery Wilson, with gates opening at 3 p.m. That concert is at 1000 John Rogers Drive, home of the Birmingham Race Course.
Section: More Birmingham AL events news
Filed under: Birmingham AL Events News
