Football at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, better known as HBCUs, has been played since the early 1900s, overcoming adversity to produce numerous champions. Let’s take a look at the championship history of HBCU football across its major conferences.

Throughout the history of HBCU football, many teams have claimed Black College Football National Championships. At times, multiple teams have claimed the Black College Football Championship, leading to frequent debates over what program is the best team in the sport.

Rather than diving into the Black College Football title discussion, sparking further debates, this article looks at the conference champions across the MEAC and SWAC in the FCS and the CIAA and SIAC in Division II.

SEASON-BY-SEASON RECAP: 

You can click or tap each of the links below to jump ahead to a section:

Updated as of Nov. 29, 2025.

MEAC Championship History

Here’s the list of MEAC champions. South Carolina State has the most championships with 20 after winning consecutive titles in 2024 and 2025. Howard won back-to-back MEAC titles in 2022 and 2023.

Championships by school

Total championships
School

20
South Carolina State

11
North Carolina A&T*

8
Bethune-Cookman*, Florida A&M*

6
North Carolina Central

5
Hampton*

4
Howard, Morgan State, Delaware State

*Schools no longer compete in MEAC football

Complete championship history

Year
Champion

2025
South Carolina State

2024
South Carolina State

2023
Howard

2022
North Carolina Central, Howard

2021
South Carolina State

2019
North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State

2018
North Carolina A&T

2017
North Carolina A&T

2016
North Carolina Central

2015
Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central

2014
Bethune-Cookman, Morgan State, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, South Carolina State

2013
Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State

2012
Bethune-Cookman

2011
Vacated

2010
Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State, Florida A&M

2009
South Carolina State

2008
South Carolina State

2007
Delaware State

2006
Hampton

2005
Hampton

2004
Hampton, South Carolina State

2003
North Carolina A&T

2002
Bethune-Cookman

2001
Florida A&M

2000
Florida A&M

1999
North Carolina A&T

1998
Florida A&M, Hampton

1997
Hampton

1996
Florida A&M

1995
Florida A&M

1994
South Carolina State

1993
Howard

1992
North Carolina A&T

1991
North Carolina A&T

1990
Florida A&M

1989
Delaware State

1988
Bethune-Cookman, Delaware State, Florida A&M

1987
Howard

1986
North Carolina A&T

1985
Delaware State

1984
Bethune-Cookman

1983
South Carolina State

1982
South Carolina State

1981
South Carolina State

1980
South Carolina State

1979
Morgan State

1978
South Carolina State

1977
South Carolina State

1976
South Carolina State, Morgan State

1975
North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State

1974
South Carolina State

1973
North Carolina Central

1972
North Carolina Central

1971
Morgan State

ALL-HBCU: Top players, by position, from 2022 | Top players, by position, from 2021

SWAC Championship History

Here’s the list of SWAC champions. Grambling State has the most championships with 25. Prairie View A&M won the 2025 SWAC Championship

Championships by school

Total Championships
School

25
Grambling State

20
Southern, Jackson State

13
Alcorn State

12
Prairie View A&M

10
Wiley College*, Langston College*

4
Texas College*

3
Texas Southern

2
Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Paul Quinn College*

1
Bishop College*, Florida A&M, Sam Houston*

*Schools no longer compete in SWAC football

Complete Championship History

year
champion

2025
Prairie View A&M

2024
Jackson State

2023
Florida A&M

2022
Jackson State

2021
Jackson State

2020-21
Alabama A&M

2019
Alcorn State

2018
Alcorn State

2017
Grambling State

2016
Grambling State

2015
Alcorn State

2014
Alcorn State

2013
Southern

2012
Arkansas-Pine Bluff

2011
Grambling State

2010
Vacated

2009
Prairie View A&M

2008
Grambling State

2007
Jackson State

2006
Alabama A&M

2005
Grambling State

2004
Alabama State

2003
Southern

2002
Grambling State

2001
Grambling State

2000
Grambling State

1999
Southern

1998
Southern

1997
Southern

1996
Jackson State

1995
Jackson State

1994
Alcorn State, Grambling State

1993
Southern

1992
Alcorn State

1991
Alabama State

1990
Jackson State

1989
Jackson State

1988
Jackson State

1987
Jackson State

1986
Jackson State

1985
Jackson State, Grambling State

1984
Alcorn State

1983
Grambling State

1982
Jackson State

1981
Jackson State

1980
Grambling State, Jackson State

1979
Grambling State, Alcorn State

1978
Grambling State

1977
Grambling State

1976
Alcorn State

1975
Grambling State, Southern

1974
Grambling State, Alcorn State

1973
Grambling State, Jackson State

1972
Grambling State, Jackson State

1971
Grambling State, Jackson State

1970
Alcorn State

1969
Alcorn State

1968
Alcorn State, Grambling State, Texas Southern

1967
Grambling State

1966
Grambling State, Southern, Texas Southern, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

1965
Grambling State

1964
Prairie View A&M

1963
Prairie View A&M

1962
Jackson State

1961
Jackson State

1960
Southern, Prairie View A&M, Grambling State

1959
Southern

1958
Prairie View A&M

1957
Wiley College

1956
Texas Southern, Langston College

1955
Southern

1954
Prairie View A&M

1953
Prairie View A&M

1952
Prairie View A&M

1951
Prairie View A&M

1950
Southern

1949
Southern, Langston College

1948
Southern

1947
Southern

1946
Southern

1945
Wiley College

1944
Wiley College, Texas College, Langston College

1943
N/A

1942
Southern, Langston College

1941
N/A

1940
Southern, Langston College

1939
Langston College

1938
Southern, Langston College

1937
Southern, Langston College

1936
Texas College, Langston College

1935
Texas College

1934
Texas College

1933
Langston College, Prairie View A&M

1932
Wiley College

1931
Prairie View A&M

1930
Wiley College

1929
Wiley College

1928
Wiley College

1927
Wiley College

1926
Sam Houston

1925
Bishop College

1924
Paul Quinn College

1923
Wiley College

1922
Paul Quinn College

1921
Wiley College

SWAC Championship Game history

Here’s the list of recent SWAC conference champions since the title game. Since the title game has existed, Grambling State has won the most SWAC Championships with eight. Overall, Grambling State leads all SWAC schools with 25 football titles.

The SWAC West leads the SWAC East, 14-12, in SWAC title games, not including Texas Southern’s vacated 2010 title. The SWAC East has won the last seven SWAC football championships.

Alcorn State joined the West division in 2021 but was previously in the East division.

Wins
Appearances
PCT
School

8
10
.800
Grambling State

4
6
.667
Alcorn State

4
9
.444
Jackson State

3
9
.333
Southern

2
7
.286
Alabama A&M

2
4
.500
Prairie View A&M

1
4
.250
Alabama State

1
3
.333
Arkansas–Pine Bluff

1
1
1.000
Florida A&M

1
1
VACATED
Texas Southern

0
0
.000
Bethune-Cookman

0
0
.000
Mississippi Valley State

SWAC Championship history

YEAR
CHAMPION
Loser
Score
Location

2025
Prairie View A&M
Jackson State
23-21
Mississippi Veterans
Memorial Stadium
Jackson, MS

2024
Jackson State
Southern
41-13
Mississippi Veterans
Memorial Stadium
Jackson, MS

2023
Florida A&M
Prairie View A&M
35-14
Bragg Memorial Stadium
Tallahassee, FL

2022
Jackson State
Southern
43-24
Mississippi Veterans
Memorial Stadium
Jackson, MS

2021
Jackson State
Prairie View A&M
27-10
Mississippi Veterans
Memorial Stadium
Jackson, MS

2020-21
Alabama A&M
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
40-33
Mississippi Veterans
Memorial Stadium
Jackson, MS

2019
Alcorn State
Southern
39-24
Jack Spinks Stadium
Lorman, MS

2018
Alcorn State
Southern
37-28
Jack Spinks Stadium
Lorman, MS

2017
Grambling State
Alcorn State
40-32
NRG Stadium
Houston, TX

2016
Grambling State
Alcorn State
27-20
NRG Stadium
Houston, TX

2015
Alcorn State
Grambling State
49-21
NRG Stadium
Houston, TX

2014
Alcorn State
Southern
38-24
NRG Stadium
Houston, TX

2013
Southern
Jackson State
34-27
NRG Stadium
Houston, TX

2012
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Jackson State
224-21
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2011
Grambling State
Alabama A&M
16-15
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2010
Texas Southern
(Vacated)
Alabama State
11-6
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2009
Prairie View A&M
Alabama A&M
30-24
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2008
Grambling State
Jackson State
41-9
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2007
Jackson State
Grambling State
42-31
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2006
Alabama A&M
Arkanasas-Pine Bluff
22-13
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2005
Grambling State
Alabama A&M
45-6
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2004
Alabama State
Southern
40-35
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2003
Southern
Alabama State
20-9
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2002
Grambling State
Alabama A&M
31-19
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2001
Grambling State
Alabama State
38-31
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

2000
Grambling State
Alabama A&M
14-6
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

1999
Southern
Jackson State
31-30
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL

MEAC VS. SWAC: 16 of the best MEAC/SWAC Challenge moments

Celebration Bowl History

Since 2015, the MEAC and SWAC conference champions face off in a postseason football clash known as the Celebration Bowl. In the Celebration Bowl, two of the premier HBCU football programs in a particular year at the FCS level meet to determine who is the best. Traditionally, the game is in Atlanta, Georgia, a hub for HBCU culture. The Celebration Bowl celebrates great football and HBCU tradition on a national stage.

Jackson State won the 2024 Celebration Bowl, its first win in three appearances.

Florida A&M won the 2023 Celebration Bowl to become the second SWAC school to win the game.

North Carolina Central’s 2022 Celebration Bowl victory brings the MEAC’s record against the SWAC to 6-1 in the all-time series.

Meanwhile, South Carolina State won the 2021 Celebration Bowl. Here’s the list of Celebration Bowl champions. 

Year
Champion
Score
Runner-Up
Site

2024
Jackson State (SWAC)
28-7
South Carolina State (MEAC)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA

2023
Florida A&M (SWAC)
30-26
Howard (MEAC)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA

2022
North Carolina Central (MEAC)
41-34 (OT)
Jackson State (SWAC)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA

2021
South Carolina State (MEAC)
31-10
Jackson State (SWAC)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA

2020 — Canceled due to Covid-19
—
—
—
—

2019
North Carolina A&T (MEAC)
64-44
Alcorn State (SWAC)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA

2018
North Carolina A&T (MEAC)
24-22
Alcorn State (SWAC)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA

2017
North Carolina A&T (MEAC)
21-14
Grambling State (SWAC)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
Atlanta GA

2016
Grambling State (SWAC)
10-9
North Carolina Central (MEAC)
Georgia Dome,
Atlanta GA

2015
North Carolina A&T (MEAC)
41-34
Alcorn State (SWAC)
Georgia Dome,
Atlanta GA

Division II HBCU football

HBCU football at the Division II level also has a storied history led by two conferences, the CIAA and the SIAC. The CIAA is the oldest HBCU football conference. Both the CIAA and the SIAC have former members who now play in the FCS that previously won conference championships. 

MORE: Here are 6 can’t-miss HBCU football game-day atmospheres

CIAA Championship History

Here’s the list of CIAA champions. Morgan State has the most championships with 19, but Virginia State and Winston-Salem have the most championships among active CIAA members with 12.

Johnson C. Smith is the most recent CIAA champion, taking home the 2025 title. Virginia Union won the 2023 and 2024 CIAA championships.

Championships by school

Total championships
School

19
Morgan State*

13
Hampton*

12
Virginia State, Virginia Union, Winston-Salem

8
North Carolina Central*

5
Shaw, North Carolina A&T*

4
Bowie State, Fayetteville State, Norfolk State*

3
Maryland-Eastern Shore*

2
Johnson C. Smith, Livingstone, West Virginia State*

1
Elizabeth City State, Howard*, Delaware State*

*Schools no longer compete in CIAA football

Complete championship history

YEAR
Champion

2025
Johnson C. Smith

2024
Virginia Union

2023
Virginia Union

2022
Fayetteville State

2021
Bowie State

2020

Canceled due to Covid-19

2019
Bowie State

2018
Bowie State

2017
Virginia State

2016

Winston-Salem State

2015

Winston-Salem State

2014
Virginia State

2013
Canceled

2012

Winston-Salem State

2011

Winston-Salem State

2010

Shaw University

2009

Fayetteville State

2008

Shaw University

2007

Shaw University

2006

North Carolina Central

2005

North Carolina Central

2004

Shaw University

2003

Fayetteville State

2002

Fayetteville State

2001
Virginia Union

2000

Winston-Salem State

1999

Winston-Salem State

1998
Livingstone

1997
Livingstone

1996
Virginia State

1995
Virginia State

1994
Hampton

1993
Hampton

1992
Hampton

1991

Winston-Salem State

1990

Winston-Salem State

1989
Vacated

1988

Winston-Salem State

1987

Winston-Salem State

1986
Virginia Union

1985
Hampton

1984
Norfolk State

1983
Virginia Union

1982
Virginia Union

1981
Virginia Union

1980
N.C. Central

1979
Virginia Union

1978

Winston-Salem State

1977

Winston-Salem State

1976
Norfolk State

1975
Norfolk State

1974
Norfolk State

1973
Virginia Union

1972
Virginia State

1971

Elizabeth City State

1970
Virginia State

1969

Johnson C. Smith

1968
Morgan State

1967
Morgan State

1966
Morgan State

1965
Morgan State

1964

North Carolina A&T

1963
N.C. College

1962
Morgan State

1961
N.C. College

1960

Maryland State

1959

North Carolina A&T

1958

North Carolina A&T

1957

Maryland State

1956

N.C. College, Morgan State, Delaware State

1955

Maryland State

1954
N.C. College

1953
N.C. College

1952
Virginia State

1951

West Virginia State

1950

North Carolina A&T

1949
Morgan State

1948

West Virginia State

1947
Shaw

1946
Morgan State

1945
Virginia State

1944
Morgan State

1943
Morgan State

1942
Morgan State

1941
Morgan State

1940
Morgan State

1939
Virginia State

1938
Virginia State

1937
Morgan State

1936
Virginia State

1935
Morgan State

1934
Morgan State

1933
Morgan State

1932
Morgan State

1931
Hampton

1930
Morgan State

1929
Virginia State

1928
Hampton

1927

North Carolina A&T

1926
Hampton

1925
Hampton

1924
Lincoln

1923
Virginia Union

1922
Hampton

1921
Virginia Union

1920

N/A

1919

N/A

1918

N/A

1917
Virginia Union

1916
Hampton

1915
Hampton

1914
Hampton

1913
Hampton

1912
Howard

👀: The greatest individual seasons in HBCU football history

SIAC Championship History

Here’s the list of SIAC champions. Tuskegee has the most championships with 28. Albany State won the 2025 SIAC title.

Championships by school

Total Championships
School

28
Tuskegee

27
Florida A&M*

16
Albany State

12
Fort Valley State

10
Alabama A&M*

8
Miles

7
Morehouse

6
Fisk*

5
Clark-Atlanta, Alabama State*

4
Morris Brown*, Knoxville*

3
Bethune-Cookman*

2
Benedict, Talladega*

1
Lane

*Schools no longer compete in SIAC football

Complete Championship History

Year
Champion

2025
Albany State

2024
Miles

2023
Benedict

2022
Benedict

2021
Albany State

2020

Canceled due to Covid-19

2019
Miles

2018
Miles

2017
Tuskegee

2016
Fort Valley State

2015
Miles

2014
Tuskegee

2013
Albany State

2012
Tuskegee

2011
Miles

2010
Albany State

2009
Tuskegee

2008
Tuskegee

2007
Tuskegee

2006
Albany State

2005
Albany State

2004
Albany State

2003
Albany State

2002
Tuskegee

2001
Tuskegee

2000
Tuskegee

1999
Fort Valley State

1998
Tuskegee

1997
Albany State

1996
Albany State

1995
Albany State

1994
Albany State

1993
Albany State

1992
Fort Valley State

1991

Alabama A&M, Clark Atlanta, Fort Valley State, Morehouse, Tuskegee

1990
Alabama A&M

1989
Alabama A&M

1988
Albany State

1987

DII: Alabama A&M, Tuskegee
DIII: Knoxville

1986

DII: Albany State
DIII: Knoxville

1985

DII: Fort Valley State, Albany State
DIII: Miles

1984

DII: Alabama State
DIII: Miles

1983

DII: Fort Valley State
DIII: Knoxville

1982

DII: Fort Valley State
DIII: Lane

1981

DII: Alabama A&M
DIII: Knoxville

1980

DII: Alabama A&M
DIII: Fort Valley State

1979

DII: Alabama A&M
DIII: Morehouse

1978
DII: Florida A&M
DIII: Clark

1977
DII: Florida A&M
DIII: Clark, Miles

1976

DII: Bethune-Cookman
DIII: Fort Valley State

1975

DII: Bethune-Cookman
DIII: Fisk

1974
DII: Tuskegee
DIII: Clark

1973

DII: Bethune-Cookman
DIII: Fisk

1972

DII: Alabama A&M
DIII: Fort Valley State

1971

DII: Alabama A&M
DIII: Fort Valley State

1970

DII: Tuskegee
DIII: Fort Valley State

1969

Div A: Florida A&M
Div B: Tuskegee

1968

Div A: Florida A&M
Div B: Tuskegee

1967

Div A: Florida A&M
Div B: Tuskegee

1966

Div A: Alabama A&M
Div B: Alabama State

1965
Florida A&M

1964
Florida A&M

1963
Florida A&M

1962
Alabama State

1961
Florida A&M

1960
Florida A&M

1959
Florida A&M

1958
Florida A&M

1957
Florida A&M

1956
Florida A&M

1955
Florida A&M

1954
Florida A&M

1953
Florida A&M

1952
Florida A&M

1951
Morris Brown

1950
Florida A&M

1949
Florida A&M

1948
Florida A&M

1947
Florida A&M

1946
Florida A&M

1945
Florida A&M

1944
Tuskegee

1943
Florida A&M

1942
Florida A&M

1941
Morris Brown

1940
Morris Brown

1939
Alabama State

1938
Florida A&M

1937
Florida A&M

1936
Tuskegee

1935
Alabama State

1934
Morris Brown

1933
Tuskegee

1932
Tuskegee

1931
Tuskegee, Clark

1930
Tuskegee

1929
Tuskegee

1928
Tuskegee, Clark

1927
Tuskegee

1926
Tuskegee

1925
Tuskegee

1924
Tuskegee

1923

Morehouse, Fisk

1922
Morehouse

1921
Morehouse

1920
Morehouse

1919
Fisk

1918
Talladega

1917
Tuskegee

1916
Morehouse

1915
Fisk

1914
Talladega

1913
Fisk