Circle City Classic shifts from college matchups to high school football and girls’ flag football at Lucas Oil Stadium

# What changed this year

# Why organizers changed the format Indiana Black Expo framed the change as a youth-first decision. Ed Rogers, the Expo's senior director of community initiatives, said the mission is youth empowerment and youth engagement. Organizers described the shift as a way to give high school athletes a larger platform — the same field used by the Indianapolis Colts — and to bolster scholarship fundraising.

# Scholarships and fundraising Classic has awarded more than $5 million in scholarships to high school students across the country since 1984. Fundraising tied to the Classic remains a stated priority as the event highlights local talent.

# Event components that stayed the same Although the on-field competition focused on high school athletes this year, the Classic retained many of its cultural and community activities. Scheduled events included a Prayer and Praise worship service, a mental health symposium, a career day and networking event, a parade, and an HBCU battle of the bands. These activations continued the Classic's broader celebration of HBCU culture, fraternities and sororities alongside the youth sporting showcase.

# How the new format played out on game day Local reporting shows the stadium hosted multiple matchups through the day. Coverage of the weekend described a full schedule of games and a Battle of the Bands featuring several HBCUs. Coaches and participants quoted in local reports said playing at Lucas Oil Stadium was an honor and a meaningful opportunity for their programs and players.

# Local response and next steps High school coaches and community members expressed support for keeping the event in Indianapolis and for showcasing local programs. Organizers positioned the change as an opportunity to keep HBCU tradition and culture alive while expanding youth access to high-profile facilities and scholarship resources.

# Bottom line Classic kept its cultural programming but prioritized showcasing high school athletes on a professional stadium field to broaden exposure and fund scholarships. The Indiana Black Expo maintains that the event's core goals remain community celebration and youth support, with continued emphasis on mental health, career readiness, and HBCU traditions.