BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has announced that the upcoming 2021 Cricket Wireless SWAC Football Championship presented by Pepsi Zero Sugar initially scheduled to be played on the campus of the highest ranked team at the conclusion of regular season play has been relocated.
The title game is now slated to be held at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium located in Jackson, Miss.
“We’ve made the decision to relocate the upcoming SWAC Championship game to a neutral site location due to the COVID-19 related game cancellations that directly impacted Alabama A&M and Arkansas-Pine Bluff,” said SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland.
“The canceled games would have ultimately assisted the Conference Office in determining a host institution for the championship game using our existing hosting tiebreaker policy. Without having the ability to thoroughly evaluate both teams using that policy we felt the only fair and equitable decision that could be made was to move the game to a neutral site location,” said McClelland.
“The City of Jackson is thrilled to serve as host for the SWAC Championship game and grateful for the opportunity to present Jackson to all of our visitors and friends,” said Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba.
“The atmosphere surrounding football in Jackson offers a great sense of place and pride in our community and this event will provide a welcomed economic boost as part of Jackson’s 52 week tourism strategy.”
The championship game is scheduled to be played on Saturday, May 1 at 2:00 pm CST and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and available live and on demand on the WatchESPN App.
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.