Where to Stay for the 2026 Magic City Classic in Birmingham
The 2026 Magic City Classic is Saturday, October 31 at Legion Field in Birmingham. Alabama A&M and Alabama State meet for the 91st time, and if you're coming with family, classmates or the whole tailgate crew, a house beats a block of hotel rooms.
What the Classic weekend looks like
The game is the main event, but the Classic runs all week. There's a parade on game-day morning, tailgating around Legion Field, and the Battle of the Bands between the Marching Maroon and White and the Mighty Marching Hornets. Crowds regularly top 60,000, so the city fills up early.
Why a house works better for Classic weekend
Most Classic groups aren't two people. They're three generations of a family, or eight friends from the same graduating class. A house gives you one kitchen for the Saturday morning spread, one living room for everybody to land in after the game, and a driveway instead of a parking deck.
Our house for Classic weekend: Historic Norwood
Historic Norwood has five bedrooms and three bathrooms and sleeps up to 16. It sits just north of downtown, near the Coca-Cola Amphitheater and Protective Stadium, and a short drive from Legion Field. Dogs are welcome on request.
Our other big houses near downtown are already booked for Classic weekend, which tells you how early this one fills. There is a two-night minimum.
See our downtown Birmingham homes
Smaller group?
If it's just a few of you, we also have apartments off Highway 280 and in Pelham near Oak Mountain. Search your dates to see what's open.
Search all homes for your dates
Book early, and book direct
Classic weekend is one of the busiest of the year in Birmingham, and the big houses go first. Book direct at wakeupstays.com and you deal with our local team from start to finish. Questions about which home fits your group? Call (205) 656-1144.
Magic City Classic 2026: quick facts
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Where: Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
Who: Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State, the 91st meeting
First played: 1924, at Legion Field since 1940
