The MEAC/SWAC Challenge has become a cornerstone event in the HBCU football calendar, consistently drawing large crowds and significant television viewership. As seen in the attendance records from past games, the 2007 clash between Southern University and Florida A&M remains the most attended game in the history of the Challenge, with an impressive 30,106 fans filling the stands. The 2013 matchup between Florida A&M and Mississippi Valley State follows with 24,378 attendees.
The 2023 game between Jackson State and South Carolina State also drew a substantial crowd, with 24,238 fans in attendance, solidifying its place as the third-highest attended game in the Challenge’s history. Not far behind is the 2019 game, where Jackson State faced Bethune-Cookman, drawing 23,333 spectators.
The 2024 Florida A&M vs. Norfolk State game drew 22,210 attendees, placing it fifth in attendance rankings. However, despite being fifth in attendance, this game broke viewership records for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The game reached an average of 1.3 million households, showcasing the growing interest in HBCU sports on a national scale during its ABC broadcast.
These numbers highlight the enduring popularity of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, both in terms of live attendance and television viewership, emphasizing the event’s significance in celebrating and showcasing the rich culture and fierce rivalries of HBCU football.
The MEAC leads the all-time series 11-7. The SWAC, however, has won the last three games in the series.