The annual Circle City Classic will feature football games between local high school teams instead of Historically Black Colleges and Universities for the first time since it started in 1984.
The event, hosted and organized by the Indiana Black Expo, has lost money in recent years because hosting Division I HBCU teams has become more expensive. IBE president and CEO Alice Watson said HBCU’s could command “upwards of half a $1 million.” As a result, the Fall Classic has seen revenue decline recent years.
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Watson said IBE decided to insert high schools because classics similar to Circle City are more common across the country. When the classic started 42 years ago, it was one of five in the nation. A large percentage of HBCU alums were traveling from outside the state to watch their alma maters play. But with a myriad of options, there is not much reason to come to Indiana.
“We couldn’t bear it as a nonprofit, so we went back to the table and said, ‘How can we creatively achieve our mission to expose young people in Central Indiana and across the state of Indiana to the possibilities of HBCU post-secondary education?'” Watson said.
IBE decided to serve the local community and chose to have high schools play. The Crispus Attucks girls flag football team will kick things off against Tech at 10 a.m. Lawrence North’s girls flag football team will face Ben Davis at 11:30 a.m.
The boys take the field in the afternoon with Warren Central and Pike at 2 p.m. Class 6A seventh-ranked Lawrence North close the day out against Ben Davis at 7 p.m. Before attendees get to watch the final game of the day, they’ll witness the HBCU Battle of the Bands. This year’s performers include bands from Miles College, Talladega College and Kentucky State.
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“(Girls flag football) is becoming an Olympic sport and the Colts are behind girls flag football here in Indiana, so it just made sense to give the young high school girls exposure because it’s exploding,” Watson said.
Classic weekend will also feature a pep rally Friday at 4 p.m., a parade Saturday at 10 a.m. and a college fair Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Students will meet representatives from multiple HBCUs and learn about admissions and scholarships. Actor Woody McLain will be the grand marshal for the parade and will speak to students during the fair about his career.
The college fair welcomed 2,500 kids last year. Watson said IBE hopes to double that number this year, since regional colleges and universities will also participate. IBE will honor a male and female athlete from each of the six high schools playing Saturday who excel in academics. IBE will award scholarships to three of the top student-athletes during game day.
The invite-only Circle City Classic Cherish Your Mind mental health symposium will be held at Warren Central on Thursday. Former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II will speak on a panel to local high schoolers about the importance of prioritizing mental health.
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“Ultimately, the Circle City Classic is all about the youth and how we can just really expose them to post-secondary and career pathways,” Watson said. The theme for this year’s classic is “Reimagined.”
“IBE wants these students to imagine the possibilities because the climate is so tough now to be a young person. And, quite honestly, not just a young Black student-athlete or a young Black student, but a young student in this world today. So, we want them to know all is not lost,” Watson said. “You go to school, you dream big and big opportunities will happen.”
What is the Circle City Class game lineup?
All games below will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
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Circle City Classic Girls Flag Football
Crispus Attucks vs. Arsenal Tech, 10 a.m.
Lawrence North vs. Ben Davis, 11:30 a.m.
Circle City Classic High School Football
Warren Central vs. Pike; Pre-game ceremonies start at 1:45 p.m. Kickoff at 2 p.m.
Lawrence North vs. Ben Davis; Pre-game ceremonies start at 6:45 p.m. Kickoff at 7 p.m.
What other events are happening during the Circle City Classic Fall Festival?
Friday
Circle City Classic Talent Day; Lucas Oil Stadium, East Lounge; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Circle City Classic Pep Rally; 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
DJ G INDY FUNKFEST; Clowes Hall; 7 p.m.
Saturday
Circle City Classic Parade; Downtown Indianapolis; 10 a.m.
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Education Day & College Fair; Lucas Oil Stadium, East Lounge; 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Black Business Training Institute (BBTI) Networking Forum; Caesar Sports Book Lounge; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Circle City Classic Tailgate and Fan Festival; Lucas Oil Stadium, South Street; Noon to 10 p.m.
Where can you buy tickets?
Visit Circlecityclassic.com to purchase tickets. General admission starts at $27.75. One ticket will get you into all of Saturday’s events at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Joshua Heron is an enterprise and Fever reporter. Follow him on X @JoshEHeron. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why Circle City Classic will feature Central Indiana football teams for first time
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