The Fountain City Classic is back for its 36th year, bringing Fort Valley State and Albany State, and tens of thousands of fans, to Columbus for one of the biggest HBCU weekends in the South. Organizers estimate the game draws about 45,000 people to the stadium and the South Commons grounds.

Here's everything you need to know, from tickets and tailgating to the parade and what you can bring into the stadium.

When and where

• Game: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, Fort Valley State Wildcats vs. Albany State Golden Rams
• Kickoff: 2 p.m. Gates open: noon
• Stadium: A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, South Commons, Columbus

Tickets

Buying in advance saves you money.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┬─────────┬──────────┐ │ Ticket │ Advance │ Game day │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────┼─────────┼──────────┤ │ Standard │ $20 │ $25 │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────┼─────────┼──────────┤ │ Youth (ages 5–16) │ $12 │ $15 │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────┼─────────┼──────────┤ │ College students (17–22, with valid ID) │ $12 │ $15 │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────┼─────────┼──────────┤ │ Children 5 and under │ Free │ Free │ └─────────────────────────────────────────┴─────────┴──────────┘

• Where to buy in advance: Ticketmaster or fountaincityclassic.com, or in person at the Columbus Civic Center box office, Chester's Grocery & Barbecue, Wild Bill's Party Shop and Home Hardware.
• Game-day tickets are sold only at the Columbus Civic Center box office.
• Ticketmaster adds fees. Buying in person at a local outlet avoids them.
• Students: bring your college ID. It's checked at the gate.

Bag rules: leave the big purse at home

The stadium enforces a clear bag policy. Bags must be clear to get in, so leave purses, backpacks and diaper bags in the car. Bring a clear tote or a clear zip-top bag for your essentials, or carry only your phone, keys, wallet and tickets.

The parade is back

After a three-year break, the Fountain City Classic Parade returns Saturday, Nov. 7, at 9 a.m. The route starts on Broad Street in Phenix City, crosses the Chattahoochee River on the 13th Street Bridge, and continues down Broadway to 9th Street in Uptown Columbus. Get there early for a good spot along Broadway, then head to the stadium.

Want to march? Entry is $35 per vehicle or marching unit, and registration closes Sunday, Oct. 25, at 11:59 p.m. at fountaincityclassic.com.

Tailgating

The Tailgate Village is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on game day. Tailgate spots must be reserved in advance, and registration closes Oct. 25 at midnight:

• RVs, campers, trailers and tents: $200
• Concrete tailgating spot: $100
• Grass tailgating spot: $100
• Early-bird parking (Thursday, Nov. 5): $35

No golf carts or motorized vehicles are allowed in the tailgate areas.

Parking

With tens of thousands of fans expected, parking around South Commons fills up early. Arrive well before the noon gate time, carpool if you can, and consider watching the morning parade Uptown, then riding together to the stadium. Check fountaincityclassic.com for official game-day parking updates.

The whole weekend at a glance

Thursday, Nov. 5

• Cufflinks & Pearls + LOTT Networking, 5:30–9 p.m., National Infantry Museum (free)
• Early-bird tailgate parking ($35, reserve in advance)

Friday, Nov. 6

• Golf Classic, 9 a.m. tee time, Bull Creek Golf Course, $75 per player (registration closes Oct. 30)
• Vendor Fair Village, 6 p.m.–midnight
• Old School New School Party, $15 in advance, $20 at the door

Saturday, Nov. 7

• Parade, 9 a.m., Phenix City to Uptown Columbus
• Tailgate Village, 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Gates open at noon; kickoff at 2 p.m.

New this year: Battle of the Drumlines

High school drumlines can compete for a $2,500 prize in the new Battle of the Drumlines. Registration is free but closes Oct. 10, so band directors should sign up now at fountaincityclassic.com.

Need more information?

Visit fountaincityclassic.com, email [email protected] or call 706-324-4080.

Read more: Fort Valley State, Albany State renew rivalry at 36th Fountain City Classic (links to your Sept. 30 story)

Hosting a Classic weekend party or event? Post your flyer free at columbustimes.com/events/submit.

Notes before you publish:

• Publish it soon. The headline matches what people search, "Fountain City Classic 2026 tickets / parking / tailgate". The tailgate and parade deadlines are Oct. 25, and the drumline deadline is Oct. 10. Early publication gives Google time to rank it before searches peak. Then update and re-share it the week of the game.
• Suggested web address: fountain-city-classic-2026-guide.
• What I couldn't confirm anywhere:
• General (non-tailgate) parking locations and prices, so that section stays general.
• Exact clear bag size limits, so I didn't invent any.
• Where the Vendor Fair and Old School New School Party are held.
• A call to the Classic office at 706-324-4080 could fill those in.
• The tailgate flyer on your Events page (Nov. 6, Civic Center, $50) isn't mentioned in the story, because I couldn't tell whether it's the official event or a private party. Add it if you know.
• Photo: use a photo from a past Classic: bands, the crowd or tailgating. That's what makes people tap.