NASHVILLE — Tennessee State Football will renew one of the most storied rivalries in HBCU football on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, as the Tigers and Florida A&M University meet in the opening contest of a two-game series spanning the 2026 and 2027 seasons, TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen announced Monday.
The series resumes with the 56th all-time meeting between the programs and marks the first matchup since 2017. Tennessee State will travel to Tallahassee in 2026 before hosting the Rattlers in 2027, when the Tigers will serve as the designated home team. Kickoff time for the 2026 game will be announced at a later date.
"This rivalry represents the very foundation of HBCU football-tradition, excellence and community, " said Allen. "Reconnecting with Florida A&M allows us to honor the past while intentionally laying the groundwork for a long-term, annual matchup that our fans, alumni and student-athletes can look forward to for years to come."
Tennessee State holds a 31–24 advantage in the all-time series, adding another layer of intrigue to the renewal of a rivalry that has helped shape the national profile of HBCU football.
The matchup carries deep historical significance for TSU. One of the most memorable games in program history came on Oct. 25, 1969, when the Tigers defeated Florida A&M 33–20 in front of 20,000 fans, the third-most attended game ever on TSU's campus.
Tennessee State and Florida A&M have met 21 times in classic settings, including 17 appearances in the Atlanta Football Classic/Atlanta Ebony Classic. The programs have also faced off in the Gateway Classic (1993), Orange Blossom Classic (1956), John Merritt Classic (2012), Tampa Classic (2017) and during TSU Homecoming games in 1971, 1979, 1994 and 2014.
The Tigers have enjoyed recent success in the series, winning their last six appearances against the Rattlers.
The renewed series continues Tennessee State's tradition of competing against premier HBCU programs and honoring the legacy of one of college football's most historic rivalries.
