Albany State, Fort Valley State Meet in Fountain City Classic

The 36th edition of the historic HBCU rivalry kicks off Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football

Expressive editorial sports illustration of two football players colliding mid-tackle on a green field in blue-and-gold and maroon-and-gold team colors. — Albany State and Fort Valley State meet Saturday at 2 p.m. ET in Columbus, Georgia, in the 36th Fountain City Classic, a long-running HBCU rivalry. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Albany State and Fort Valley State will meet in the 36th Fountain City Classic on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia. The historic HBCU rivalry game kicks off at 2 p.m. ET.

Why it matters

The Fountain City Classic is a long-running rivalry between two historically Black college programs, and its recent results show Albany State has won most meetings over the past two decades. Both coaches say the rivalry brings intensity regardless of team records.

Fort Valley State has four wins over the past two decades against Albany State, which has held the edge in the series during that span. The extraction does not specify the current season records of either team.

The players

David Bowser

Head football coach of Albany State University, leading the program in this annual rivalry matchup.

Marlon Watson

Head football coach of Fort Valley State University, leading the program in this annual rivalry matchup.

The details

Albany State head coach David Bowser expects an emotional and physical matchup, while Fort Valley State head coach Marlon Watson says the rivalry brings intensity regardless of team records. The game is played on the field at Memorial Stadium, with players expected to compete within the white lines.

Saturday at 2 p.m. ET: Fountain City Classic kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia.

Season Trajectory

The 36th Fountain City Classic extends a rivalry that has run for decades between two historically Black college programs. The series continues to draw attention in Columbus as an established fixture on the college football calendar.

Fans attending Saturday's 2 p.m. ET kickoff at Memorial Stadium will see the rivalry's intensity firsthand. Readers following either program can use the kickoff time to plan around the game.

The takeaway

The 36th Fountain City Classic is a reminder that long-running HBCU rivalries carry their own weight regardless of season records. Readers interested in the series can follow the Saturday kickoff for the result.