The 2024 Cricket Celebration Bowl: A Grand HBCU Matchup Weekend

In the Community

Published on 12/12/2024

Atlanta, Dec. 12, 2024

Keys Takeaways:

South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. Jackson State Tigers will go head-to-head at the HBCU football national championship

Cricket sponsors the second annual Band of the Year competition

Thousands are expected to gather in Atlanta for the 2024 Cricket Celebration Bowl weekend. The South Carolina State University (SCSU) Bulldogs and Jackson State University (JSU) Tigers will once again face off for the HBCU football national championship Saturday, December 14th at noon eastern time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Cricket is also sponsoring the second annual Band of the Year competition on Friday, December 13. The top Division I and Division II Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) marching bands will compete for a grand prize at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This year, metro Atlanta high school marching bands will also showcase their soulful sounds on the national stage.

“The Cricket Celebration Bowl, combined with the Band of the Year competition, serves as a weekend-long celebration of HBCUs and is a cornerstone of Atlanta’s event calendar,” said Angela Rittgers, president of Cricket Wireless. “We can’t wait to watch the game and see these exceptional teams bring their talent and passion to the field. It’s a privilege to celebrate the excellence and spirit of HBCUs on such a grand stage, kicking off the college football bowl season.”

ESPN Events Executive Director John Grant said, “Cricket’s unwavering commitment to connecting communities aligns with our mission to celebrate excellence in HBCU athletics and culture. Together, we’ve created a showcase of elite competition that delivers a memorable experience for fans, athletes, and alumni alike.”

Beyond the Game

Cricket’s investment in the students of these storied institutions goes beyond the field with its HBCU Campus Ambassador Program, which provides students with an opportunity to develop their marketing skills by executing campaigns on their campuses. They also receive guidance from local Cricket Field Marketing Managers and Authorized Retailers on how to develop their business acumen.

About the Game

Since the game’s inception in 2015, it has been a hub for celebrating HBCU revelry and culture. Hosting the game in Atlanta is a natural fit for Cricket, ESPN and the HBCU community. In addition to serving as Cricket’s hometown, it’s home to five HBCUs: the Atlanta University consortium and Morris Brown College. This national championship pits the best teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) to determine the undisputed champion of HBCU football. This will be the second time the SCSU Bulldogs and Jackson State Tigers compete for their conference’s title. This is sure to be another great game at Mercedes Benz stadium.

Band of the Year

Marching on to victory, 2023 winner the North Carolina A&T University “Blue and Gold Marching Machine” is back to defend their title against Florida A&M University’s “The Marching 100” for the Division I school finals. While the Miles College “Purple Marching Machine” will compete against the 2023 Division II winner Virginia State University’s “Trojan Explosion.” Metro Atlanta high schools, Southwest Dekalb and Jonesboro will also represent their hometown on the national stage. The ESPN Band of the Year title competition starts at 7 PM ET and will be simulcast on ESPN3 and ESPN Plus.

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