Howard University and Florida A&M University will reignite one of the most storied rivalries in Black college football history when they meet in the 2025 Invesco QQQ Orange Blossom Classic.
Officials announced Wednesday that the matchup is set for Saturday, Aug. 30, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Originally founded in 1933 by J.R.E. Lee Jr., the son of the then Florida A&M University president, the Orange Blossom Classic became the premier postseason event for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The first game, held at a segregated ballpark in Jacksonville, drew 2,000 fans as FAMU shut out Howard 9-0.
From 1933 to 1978, the classic was widely considered the national championship game for Black college football.
After a 43-year hiatus, the event returned to Miami Gardens in 2021 and has since become a high-profile kickoff game. Organizers say the classic enhances the exposure of HBCUs and raises scholarship funds while celebrating the discipline and dedication of HBCU student-athletes.
According to Howard University’s The Dig, this year’s matchup carries added weight for Howard.
“The tagline for this game is ‘Built on History, Fueled by Pride,’ but I’d like to say that we see this game as being fueled by revenge,” said Howard Athletics Director Kery Davis said during a press conference at Miami’s historic Hampton House, referencing the 2023 Celebration Bowl.
Two years ago, Howard fell 30-26 to FAMU in a game that decided the Black College Football Championship before a packed crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The 2025 contest marks the 41st time the teams have met.
“Both of these institutions have storied legacies, and over the years have had some competitive matchups,” Davis said. “But we know what we’re capable of and we look forward to getting out there in this game to set the tone for what we believe will be a successful season.”
Howard head coach Larry Scott, a South Florida native, said he was proud to return home to lead the team.
“This really is a full-circle moment for me,” Scott remarked. “And playing Florida A&M to kick off the season is special because we want to close out the season playing for a championship and could very well do so against them in this year’s Celebration Bowl.”
Following the announcement, participants toured the Hampton House, the same site depicted in the 2020 film “One Night in Miami,” which featured icons Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown.
“Being here at the Hampton House on a street known as ‘Unity Boulevard’ means so much to me,” Scott said. “Howard and Florida A&M may be rivals, but we’re both a part of the HBCU legacy and committed to seeing that our student athletes are prepared to graduate and go be leaders in their communities. And that’s what makes us winners.”
Davis also noted that Howard’s return to the Orange Blossom Classic reflects the strength and reach of its athletics program, which includes recent championships in football, golf, women’s soccer, and volleyball, along with NCAA appearances by men’s basketball.
“For the last several years, Howard University has seen a renaissance within our athletics programs,” Davis said. “It’s activities like the Orange Blossom Classic that not only help people see that Howard University is not just an intellectual powerhouse but is an institution where our student athletes can play on some of the biggest stages in the nation.”
Tickets for the 2025 Orange Blossom Classic are now on sale. A special Bison room block is available at the Hollywood Beach Marriott with reservations required by Aug. 1. Full details can be found at orangeblossomclassic.com.