Courtesy Arkansas-Pine Bluff Athletics
PINE BLUFF, AR. – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Athletics Department invites fans, alumni, supporters, corporate partners, media members, and the community to attend the official 2026 Natural State Kickoff Classic Press Conference on Monday, July 13, at 11 a.m. at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, as excitement builds toward one of the premier HBCU football events of the 2026 season.
The press conference will officially launch the inaugural Natural State Kickoff Classic, featuring the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions and the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers. The historic Week 0 showdown is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2026, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas, serving as the opening weekend of the 2026 college football season.
Representatives from both institutions will preview the highly anticipated matchup while discussing the vision behind the inaugural event, the partnership between two nationally recognized HBCU institutions, and the impact the Classic is expected to have on the state of Arkansas, HBCU athletics, and the surrounding community.
Fans and media will hear remarks from:
- Chris Robinson, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- Alonzo Hampton, Head Football Coach, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- Harold Ellis, Director of Athletics, Morehouse College
- Brad Sherrod, Head Football Coach, Morehouse College
- Special Guest (to be announced)
The event will provide attendees with an exclusive preview of the season-opening matchup while celebrating the rich history, tradition, excellence, and cultural significance of HBCU football. Speakers will discuss preparations for the inaugural Classic, the significance of the partnership between UAPB and Morehouse, and what fans can expect leading up to kickoff on August 29.
Event Details
2026 Natural State Kickoff Classic Press Conference
Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
Doors Open: 10:30 a.m.
Press Conference: 11:00 a.m. – Noon
Location: Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
501 E. Ninth Street
Little Rock, AR 72202
The press conference is free and open to the public. Fans, alumni, season ticket holders, donors, corporate partners, and members of the media are encouraged to attend as the official countdown begins to the inaugural Natural State Kickoff Classic.
Tickets for the inaugural Natural State Kickoff Classic are now on sale. Fans can secure their seats for the historic Week 0 matchup between UAPB and Morehouse College by visiting
TicketReturn. The game is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2026, at historic War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock and promises to be one of the marquee HBCU football events of the season.
The Natural State Kickoff Classic is poised to become one of Arkansas' premier annual sporting events, showcasing elite HBCU football while celebrating the pride, pageantry, and tradition that have made Historically Black Colleges and Universities a cornerstone of collegiate athletics.
Kickoff for the inaugural Natural State Kickoff Classic is set for Saturday, August 29, 2026, at historic War Memorial Stadium, where UAPB and Morehouse will meet in a landmark season-opening contest that promises to bring together fans from across the region for an unforgettable celebration of HBCU football.
Media Contact
Cameo Stokes
Associate AD for Strategic Communications
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Athletics
Email: Stokesc@uapb.edu
