BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved funding for the 72nd Annual Magic City Classic, agreeing to $590,000 in contractual and discretionary spending. The match-up between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University, scheduled for Saturday, October 26, at Legion Field has a huge economic impact on the City of more than $20 million annually.
The approved funding supports the schools and scholarships, shuttle service, communications, marketing, and other essential resources necessary to entertain the hundreds of thousands of folk in town for the annual attraction.
“The Council supports the Classic and the impact it has on our city and will continue supporting the Classic for many years to come. We just have to make sure that we are good stewards of the tax payer’s dollars,” said Council President Roderick Royal. “We requested a more detailed spending report from the administration this year and they provided us with that.”
The Magic City Classic has been played at Legion Field since 1946 between two of Alabama’s largest historically Black universities: Alabama A&M and Alabama State. Activities surrounding the game include a parade, battle of the bands, a kick-off luncheon, pre- and post-game entertainment and tailgating.
Over 66,000 attend the game each year with an estimated 40,000 tailgating around Legion Field.
