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About the Bayou Classic
In 2025, Celebrating its 52nd year, the Bayou Classic continues to uphold its legacy as a symbol of excellence and camaraderie within the HBCU community. Year after year, fans gather in New Orleans over Thanksgiving weekend to witness the thrilling football matchup between Southern University and Grambling State University, accompanied by the electrifying Battle of the Bands & Greek Show and the highly anticipated halftime show featuring two of the greatest marching bands in the nation. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mybayouclassic.com. And follow Bayou Classic on Facebook at @MyBayouClassic and on Instagram at @bayouclassic74.
History of the Bayou Classic
Southern University first played Grambling State in football in 1930, when the latter was known as the Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute. It was not until 1958 that Grambling joined the Jaguars in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and the two teams started to play on a yearly basis. The prominence of both teams greatly increased in the 1960s and early '70s, with the rise of coach Eddie Robinson's Tiger teams, featuring such Grambling legends as Charlie Joiner, Doug Williams and Buck Buchanan, and Southern's success featuring such stars as Harold Carmichael and Mel Blount. The Bayou Classic was first held at Tulane Stadium in 1974, before moving to the brand-new Louisiana Superdome the following year. The dome has held the Bayou Classic every year since, except for 2005 when it was moved to Houston after Hurricane Katrina, and 2021, when a rescheduled Bayou Classic conflicted with renovations to the stadium.
No Bayou Classic weekend is complete without the legendary Battle of the Bands, between Grambling's World Famed Tiger Marching Band, and Southern's Human Jukebox. The Friday night spectacular features hundreds of marchers on each side performing alongside Grambling's Orchesis dance line and the Fabulous Dancing Dolls of Southern. In 2015, the Waterford crystal trophy which had been awarded to the Bayou Classic winner since the late '80s was retired and donated to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture by both universities. Due to the postponement of the 2020 NCAA Division I FCS season, the first-ever springtime Bayou Classic game was scheduled for April 17, 2021, in Shreveport.
We are faithful in attendance yearly for support of both universities and it was refreshing to see the dome packed from plaza to terrace. Great game. Our family had 11 seats in the terrace end zone area, split over two rows. It was a great idea and the 1st two rows of 600 section.
This is an event I try to attend every year and this year was the BEST EVER! From the Battle of the Bands on Friday night to check out on Sunday, the weekend was full of nothing but enjoyment! Saturday's game was highly anticipated as both teams came in with an undefeated record in the conference. A trip to conference championship would go to the winners. Both teams left everything on the field. Can not forget the half time show with two of the best bands in the country!!! This is an event the whole family can enjoy. See you November 2017!!!
It was so amazing and it was the biggest crowd ever.
I enjoyed the game, even though my team did not win. However, Kim Burrell messed up the National Anthem. I did enjoy the half-time show a lot though.
I would go a thousand times again.. battle of the band amazing... SU and Gambling are the a must see. Gambling on the football field. SU Band is untouchable. OMG the SU Dolls
The Bayou Classic was Amazing from start to finish! The team was poised, confident, and ready to play. There were very few penalties during the game which is unusual for any SWAC game. The team was disciplined and they came prepared to WIN!!! The QB was spectacular. He had an amazing game and when he wasn't running the ball, he was passing the ball. The overall crowd was great, the bands were great!! Grambling State University simply out played Southern University. We are ready for the SWAC Championship game. See you all in Houston.
Great event! The Bayou Classic is a wonderful game and event for the entire family! Lots of fun and college football/school rivalry! Not to mention, New Orleans is a great city!
Of course, the Queen was pleased! We broke the 21-21 years old game tie at the 43rd Bayou Classic between GSU and SU. GramFam
The Bayou Classic was really great this year besides the fact that SU loss but the Jaguars will always be #1
Great family event. Love New Orleans and swac football.
The game and half time show was simply amazing! This is a game that everyone should attend!
great event ... loved it since the first time I went back in 2013
We had a wonderful time supporting the Grambling Tigers vs. Southern University in New Orleans.
Great Game Grambling and both bands was awesome. Will be attending next year also
Great seats and view. Right in all the action! Good price for the seats.
Awesome event! Best HBCU GAME EVER!!!! I will attend again next year.
Great game great event staff was great very clean bathrooms did not smell
SU did an outstanding job in the beginning but things seem to have fallen short somewhere in between as GSU took charge and kicked butt! I wasn't pulling for a particular team, I just wanted to see a good football game and I was pleased with the results. Both bands did an amazing job and you could feel each school's spirit throughout the stadium. The only thing I was not pleased with was the $25 parking fee. The day prior I paid $15 for parking which I felt was reasonable for an event of this magnitude but an increase of $10 the next day had me feeling like inflation was not being regulated. In an area like Louisiana where the population is still trying to recover for storm damages, why charge the community outrageous amounts of money to support an HBCU event?
Ticket purchase was fast received tickets right away!!! There is no other better than the bayou classic #GramForever
The whole Bayou Classic weekend is the most exhilarating HBCU event each year! The game was the highlight and Grambling won after an incredible comeback. The spirit in the SuperDome was electrifying!! The Battle of the Bands and Greek Step Show takes place the night before the game. There was so much friendly competition with a lot of fellowship amongst black folks it seem like a utopia. We cracked jokes all throughout the performance of the 2 competing bands. There was not one incident of violence with 2015 attendance: 62,907. Don't expect to see this on the media bc it is too positive