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Bayou Classic

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About

About the Bayou Classic

In 2024, Celebrating its 51st 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.

Reviews

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 343 reviews
  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    The game was exciting!!!!!!!

    by EasyMon on 12/1/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    Even though my team lost the excitement of being close to the action was out of this world.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Bayou Classic

    by Anonymous on 11/30/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    We had an awesome time as usual, looking forward to next year.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Bayou Classic was amazing!!!!!

    by VPSTUNNA on 11/29/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    Great seats, enjoyed every minute. Will be returning next year.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    by Roadrunner9 on 11/29/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    Great family reuion event, it's so much more than just a football game.

  • Rating: 2 out of 5

    Bayou Classic

    by Anonymous on 11/29/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    The overall experience was okay. It wasn't the best.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Southern's band is the best!

    by SouthernGirl1102 on 11/29/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    I haven't been to Bayou Classic in about 15 years, so it felt amazing to be back in New Orleans participating in HBCU football...dance...cheer...band...at its best!!

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    by Anonymous on 11/29/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    The seating in the reconfigured lower level of the superdome leaves much to be desired. The seating was much better last year.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Offense of both teams played a good game

    by TaaTaa on 11/29/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    Garmbling and Southern both played well, Southern just had some bad luck on the field

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Different

    by overanddone on 11/28/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    It was something different. I am comparing this classic to famu and bcc. Personally I enjoy the famu better. N.O. was different from the norm. We were able to sight see and talk to some of the locals. They didnt let us in the stadium untill an 1hr before the game start.

  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    It ain't what it use to be!

    by oldschoolbc on 11/28/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    Very boring and will not be attending again. The classic is not what it use to be. The bands are not allowed to play, the gates do not open up until an hour before the game. If this was a LSU or Saints game, the doors would have been open 3-4 hours before kickoff. I wish we as Black Consumers would realize that New Orleans is peeing on our heads and telling us it is raining and doesn't appreciate the revenue we bring to them during the Thanksgiving Weekend. This use to be one of the most outstanding games/events regardless if SU or GSU had a winning record. So much has been taken from this game and weekend that it is ridiculous. The Atlanta Football Classic was 150% times better than the classic this year and past years. The city of Atlanta and its Hotels/Hospitality was outstanding. Again, New Orleans doesn't appreciate the Bayou Classic and I'll never attend this event and stay in new orleans again.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by Spyder2010 on 11/28/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    The weekend of bayou classic is amazing. Starting off with the battle of the bands just set the stage. Southern university band was awesome!!!! The Greek show was very good as well. Grambling showed up but there was no comparison. The game was good too even though SU lost. I would recommend everyone experience the bayou classic at least once in their life.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Nice Family Event

    by AnnMcDamien on 11/28/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    I enjoyed th event, the concession lines where long as usual, but I enjoyed the game.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Bayou Classic

    by Overtme on 11/28/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    I had a really good time at the Bayou Claasic. It's the one time of the year where I can go to New Orleans and feel likeI I'm in the French Riviera, it's like I have a out of body experience. It makes me feel like I'm a celebrity amongst the crowd. I'm so glad God has blessed me to be able to go every year.

  • Rating: 2 out of 5

    Good game

    by DWNUPE on 11/28/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    The Bayou Classic was a good football game. Both teams were competive and the bands were great.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    OFF THE CHAIN!

    by MsGSU on 11/28/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    I had the best experience at the Bayou Classic! oh my gosh...my seats were amazing! The game, well lets open the beat box....psh..psh..man the Tigers laid the Jags to rest. Now I like a Jag on 4 wheels. just saying. The bands were awesome! As for the overall experience, lets just say I can't wait til next year! Thanks Ticketmaster for the great, (understatement) seats! Thanks Mercedes-Benz Superdome for the ultimate platform.. and thanks to myself for having the foresight to buy my tickets early! Somebody scream!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Off the Chain!!!!

    by Stuck4c on 11/28/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    Had a great experience...both the game and half time show was great.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Bayou Classic was a real cultural experience

    by 4268 on 11/28/11Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans

    Loved the Alpha's step show. The bands were exciting particularly the dancing of the Grambling drum major.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by SUBRClassOf97 on 12/4/10Louisiana Superdome - New Orleans

    Amazing, this was the 36th year, for the classic, both teams with 18 wins each, and Grambling came away with its 19th win, will SU we look forward to next year.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    A Blast

    by Tulipz on 12/1/10Louisiana Superdome - New Orleans

    The game was exciting to watch and the atmosphere was great! Everyone in my section was well behaved and exhibited good sportsmanship. The dome itself was clean with nice climate control. The Ushers were very helpful. I hope to attend this event next year.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    by Twinpowers on 11/30/10Louisiana Superdome - New Orleans

    Excellent seats. We were right at half field! Great view of everything!