One Philly HBCU Week 2026: Vick vs. Jackson Headline a Weekend of HBCU Football at Lincoln Financial Field

This October, Philadelphia becomes the epicenter of Historically Black College and University football. The Philadelphia Eagles, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, and the City of Philadelphia have announced that Lincoln Financial Field will once again host some of the nation's most storied HBCU programs for One Philly HBCU Week 2026 — a two-day celebration of the legacies, traditions, and pageantry that make HBCU football irreplaceable.

The headline moment comes on Saturday, October 31, when two men who once won together as Philadelphia Eagles return to the field they shared as teammates — this time as adversaries on the sideline. DeSean Jackson, head coach of the Delaware State Hornets, will face Michael Vick, head coach of the Norfolk State Spartans, in a rematch that carries weight both athletically and culturally. For HBCU Connect's community of students, alumni, and fans, it is a powerful reminder that Black excellence on the biggest stages so often traces back to our institutions.

The weekend opens Friday, October 30, when Virginia Union University takes on Chester County's own Lincoln University. Norfolk State and Lincoln will serve as the home teams for their respective matchups. The expanded slate builds on the momentum of last year's "Battle of the Legends," which drew 47,266 fans and put the pride, tradition, and athletic excellence of HBCUs squarely in the national spotlight.

City and league leaders framed the event as more than a game. "Lincoln Financial Field is thrilled to serve as the host site for two highly anticipated HBCU matchups this season," said Frank Gumienny, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Philadelphia Eagles, noting the honor of welcoming back two historic programs led by Eagles legends. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, a proud HBCU graduate herself, added: "As a proud HBCU graduate, I look forward to welcoming the teams, alumni, students, families, and fans from across the country to our great city. One Philly. A United City."

For our audience, weekends like this are about far more than football. They are homecomings, networking hubs, and showcases of the culture that connects generations of HBCU students and alumni. Event programming and fan activations for One Philly HBCU Week 2026 will be shared through Norfolk State and Lincoln's communication channels, and additional kickoff and broadcast details will follow.

Mark your calendar: tickets for both games go on sale Wednesday, August 12 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com. Whether you are cheering for Delaware State, Norfolk State, Virginia Union, or Lincoln, this is a can't-miss celebration of everything that makes HBCU football special. We will see you in Philadelphia.