sport

Birmingham Venues Host Major College Sports Competitions This Season

Local facilities including Legion Field, the CrossPlex, Boutwell Auditorium, Coleman Coliseum and Protective Stadium support upcoming college events.

By Birmingham Sport Desk · Published July 17, 2026

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Birmingham Venues Host Major College Sports Competitions This Season — Photo: ell brown / www.flickr.com (CC-BY)

Birmingham has approved a multi-year deal to host SWAC football games at Legion Field on August 26, 2026, and in 2027, plus the 2027 NCAA Division II Track and Field Championship at the CrossPlex. This arrangement directs college competitions to established local venues that already accommodate university teams and events.

Legion Field for SWAC Football

The multi-year agreement places SWAC football contests at Legion Field, a venue in Birmingham that will stage games on August 26, 2026, and throughout 2027. These dates align with the start of college football seasons and allow the facility to serve as a regular site for conference play.

CrossPlex for Track and Field

The same approval includes the 2027 NCAA Division II Track and Field Championship at the CrossPlex. This championship brings athletes and teams to the venue for multiple days of competition, highlighting its role in hosting large-scale collegiate track events.

Basketball at Boutwell Auditorium and Coleman Coliseum

Alabama men's basketball will open its 2026-27 season with an exhibition against Ole Miss on October 15 at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, followed by the official opener on November 2 at Coleman Coliseum. These scheduled games demonstrate how two separate Birmingham venues will each handle portions of the team's early-season schedule.

Protective Stadium Usage

UAB football's quarterback Jalen Kitna and running back Jevon Jackson led the team to a 52-42 season-opening victory over Alabama State at Protective Stadium in Birmingham. The final score illustrates recent competitive use of the stadium by a local university program.

The venues named in the approved deal and recent game schedule already support college athletics through a combination of football, track and basketball events. Future dates will continue to route these competitions through the same facilities without requiring new construction announcements.

Organizers and teams can plan around the listed dates at each site, using the established infrastructure for practice, competition and spectator access. Additional information appears in coverage from nationaltoday.com and rolltidewire.usatoday.com.

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