ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s a huge weekend of battling bands, football and family reunions at the 2025 Florida Blue Florida Classic.

Organizers expect more than 100,000 visitors to spend the weekend enjoying events and pumping as much as $30 million into our local economy.

What You Need To Know

The Florida Classic has been played in Orlando since 1997

Proceeds from the game go back to both schools to support education

FAMU has dominated the rivalry with Bethune-Cookman through the years

Friday evening, fans were already picking up Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman t-shirts, and dozens of vendors were setting up for one of their biggest weekends of the year.

Mack Harris, who said he loves the Florida Classic, was open for business right next to Camping World Stadium.

“It makes money. It keeps people out of trouble,” he said. “It’s nice and quiet. It’s a football game. Everybody loves it.”

Harris has been serving up barbecue in Kissimmee for 12 years, and even has his own brand of barbecue sauce.

“It’s the best you ever had,” he said. “And what’s in it? Everything is in it.”

Organizers say the game could pack more than 50,000 fans into the stadium, with thousands more tailgating outside. Harris’ team has a game plan for their fourth year at the Florida Blue Florida Classic on Saturday: Serve up great food and score some cash.

“Everybody down here makes money, the whole neighborhood,” he said. “It’s good for Orlando, period.”

Bethune Cookman and FAMU played their first game in 1925, and they’ve been rivals ever since. The Florida Classic has been played in Orlando since 1997, and now it’s an economic powerhouse for the city. 

Steve Hogan with Florida Citrus Sports said college football’s biggest family reunion has a huge economic impact.

“Just the economics of staying in hotels and eating in restaurants and filling up your gas tank,” he said. “It’s been a winner for everybody involved.”

Florida Blue is the event’s title sponsor. Central Florida Market President Tony Jenkins says the event pumps $30 million into Central Florida’s economy each year.

“Think about the number of alumni, fans, relatives, friends, that come to this game,” Jenkins said. “They are staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants. That’s a win for Orange County and the city of Orlando.”

Harris is firing up the grill, looking forward to an action-packed game and the rush of hungry fans on Saturday.

The shopping supports the local economy, and ticket sales for the big game go back to both universities to support the education of future students.

Friday night, at least 15,000 visitors filled the Kia Center for the Battle of the Bands, which features a competition of eight high school bands and the marching bands of FAMU and Bethune-Cookman.