Tennessee State and Jackson State will renew football pleasantries in the 2026 John A. Merritt Classic on Saturday, August 29 at Nissan Stadium.
The Week 0 , matchup will mark the first time the TSU and JSU have met in the Merritt Classic. The two-storied program has been getting it on since 1949, but since 1990 has primarily met in the Southern Heritage Classic, taking part in 29 of the 36 games, with the last such matchup taking place on September 10, 2022, a 16-3 win for Jackson State. Tennessee State holds the edge in the SHC series with Jackson State 17-12 as well as an overall 30-23-2 edge in the long-standing rivalry.
The 2026 game will be followed by a meeting between the two ballclubs in Jackson as part of the home-and-home arrangement.
“The John A. Merritt Classic provides the perfect stage to renew our rivalry with Jackson State,” said TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Mikki Allen. “Hosting the game in 2026 and returning to Jackson in 2027 reflects the tradition and excitement this matchup brings to both programs.”
Jackson State Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson had this to say about the anticipated return of the rivalry: “We are excited to renew our rivalry with Tennessee State in Nashville and next year at home. This is a great opportunity for our football program and our fans as we kick off the season at the John A. Merritt Classic.”
More information relating to tickets and Classic events will be announced at a later date.
