Orlando – Florida Blue is proud to be the title sponsor, yet again, of this year’s 45th annual Florida Blue Florida Classic. This marks the 15th consecutive year Florida Blue has sponsored the historic rivalry between the Florida A&M “Rattlers” and the BethuneCookman University “Wildcats.”

In fact, the Florida Blue Florida Classic is highly regarded as the nation’s largest football game between two Historically Black College/University (HBCU) schools. Since its inception in 1978, the iconic game has now seen more than 2 million spectators attend.

Nearly 1.5 million fans have attended the Classic in Orlando since the game settled in Central Florida in 1997, uniting alumni and students in celebration. In addition to an average of close to 60,000 spectators in the stadium for the contest, thousands more fans fill Tampa Avenue, Lake Lorna Doone Park, FanFest at Tinker Field, and the surrounding community on game day, for tailgating, entertainment, and activities.

Florida A&M remains the overall championship leader, with the series sitting at 5224-1, thanks in large part to their early success. However, over the last two decades of the game being played in Orlando, Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M have split their rivalry 13-13 out of 26 games. Another interesting fact many might not be aware of is that the Florida Blue Florida Classic is the only HBCU rivalry owned and operated by its participating teams, with ticket sales and corporate support of the event befitting both universities directly.

“The Florida Blue Florida Classic is a beloved tradition that transcends the game itself, uniting students, alumni, and the entire Central Florida community in a vibrant celebration,” said Tony Jenkins, Central Florida Market President, Florida Blue.

“This iconic rivalry not only injects an estimated $30 million into our local economy each year, but it also provides a significant source of scholarship funding for deserving students at both Florida A&M and BethuneCookman University.

“Ultimately, the true victory lies in the positive impact the game and its events have on our community, making it something we can all proudly rally behind, regardless of the final score.”

Aside from the big game, events throughout the week include the Florida Classic Golf Tournament, a massive kickoff luncheon featuring both head coaches, and a Friday night “Battle of the Bands” at the Kia Center in beautiful downtown Orlando.

This year’s 2025 Florida Blue Florida Classic will take place on Saturday, Nov. 22nd at 3:30 p.m. inside Camping World Stadium. FanFest will kick off four hours prior to the game at 11:30 a.m. at Tinker Field (just outside the West Side of Camping World Stadium). Admission to FanFest is free and a game ticket is not required.

To learn more, visit FloridaClassic.org.