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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.
The game was great! Our seats were perfect, no obstructions and we felt apart of the action. As a Southern Alumni, I would recommend to anyone to attend the Bayou Classic.
Great family fun and exposure to wonderful legacy! SU for life!!
Awesome seats for an awesome price..just on the wrong side of the stadium.. I was not sitting near my team, and that was not disclosed in the purchase of the tickets.
Although this event remains a tradition for most..majority of the SU fans were disappointed in the preformance of the SU jukebox Band .at an HBCU it is imperative that the band Goes along w their Team.. this year it was not the case. Disappointed at both bands other than that The Game was Good. Go Jags..
It was the best thing I seen in years. Will be back next year. Love everything about it and my HBCU. See yah next year and the years after that
Game was great! I pray that those who were Injured recovery 100%. This game brought my Family together and it was priceless. I pray GOD bless all these young men and guide them Into a great and prosperous future where they Will always be a blessing in their gift!
The Game was pretty good....the half time show was awesome! Only down side was SU was the visiting team so the dancers all danced to the Grambling (Home Team) side.
The Bayou Classic was festive and good fun for all. Good time to see old friends and make new ones. The bands were off the chain as usual!
It was simply amazing. I really enjoyed everything.
An Incredible game between the two schools, football and bands
One of the best events I've attended. It was fun watching my children enjoy the Greek step show and learn of fun, educational and entertaining activities of which they can participate once they enter college. It was a blast!
Great food, seats, great workers of the Mercedes Doom..
GSU vs SU is always a fantastic game. This has been a great rivalry through the years... The whole weekend is great, starting with the parade on Thursday!
Did not enjoy the game because my team lost the game maybe next year,plus I was on the wrong side maybe next year I will get my tickets early ........
All of the events were great! The vendors, the pre-game, the venue, the game.....everyone was nice and welcoming. The only things that I would change would be to add some more filler, loud blasting music in between the bands playing and in between change of ball possessions.I would also recommend selling the seats only in levels 100-300 and not in the upper levels to make sure the event looks more full and to keep the fans closer together. Other than that, I greatly enjoyed myself! I can't wait until next year!
I had a wonderful time. The bands were great, the food was excellent.
I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Bayou Classic with my family. We had great seats, so we felt close to the action on the field. The event was very entertaining and brought back many great memories. Looking forward to attending again!
The entire experience was amazing, while there a lot of people in attendance, there wasn't major wait times, stadium food was to die for, finding parking close to stadium was easy, great game, great halftime performances by both schools. Definitely want to attend again next year.
Had great seats and a amazing time. Plus Southern University won what more can you ask for.
I can't wait until next year.. As always a treat and the atmosphere was awesome!!!