ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, has announced a four-year sponsorship extension with Cricket Wireless, which will continue as title sponsor of both the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff and Celebration Bowl college football games. Both events are based in Atlanta and feature programs from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). “
We are pleased that Cricket Wireless has extended its title sponsorship of these events, which are so steeped in tradition in the HBCU community,” said John Grant, executive director of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff and Celebration Bowl. “Having an Atlanta-based partner like Cricket speaks to their desire to support the diversity of sports and the commitment to making a positive impact in their hometown. We look forward to continuing our work together, building and highlighting a culture of excellence.”
“Serving as the title sponsor of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff and the Celebration Bowl for the past three years has been rewarding on every level,” said John Dwyer, President, Cricket Wireless. “The MEAC and SWAC are two of the premier HBCU conferences in the country, with passionate fanbases that have shown up to support their schools. It’s been a privilege hosting these bookends to the season in Cricket’s hometown of Atlanta, and we’re looking forward to building on this tradition for the next four years.”
The Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff — a week 0 matchup of HBCU football teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) — is played at Georgia State’s Center Parc Credit Union Stadium. This year’s game features South Carolina State vs. Jackson State on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff matchups in future years include: 2024 – Norfolk State vs. Florida A&M; 2025 – North Carolina Central vs. Southern; and 2026 – Alabama A&M vs. Howard. The Cricket Celebration Bowl, the HBCU national championship game — featuring conference champions from the MEAC and SWAC, is played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in December each year and typically opens the college football bowl season. This year’s game will be played Saturday, Dec. 16 at noon and will be broadcast on ABC.