Tennessee State Football Will Play Jackson State in 2026 and 2027

Tennessee State football will play Jackson State in 2026 and 2027

TSU-Jackson State football rivalry to return this year, but not in Memphis

The rivalry between Tennessee State University and Jackson State will return this year, but it will not take place in Memphis.

Jackson State, TSU renew football rivalry in 2026

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - Jackson State University (JSU) and Tennessee State University (TSU) will renew a long-standing football rivalry. The two teams will meet in the 2026 John A. Merritt Classic on August 29, 2026, at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee State holds a 30-23-2 all-time advantage in the series, which began with the teams' first meeting [...]

Tennessee State vs. Jackson State: 2026 John A. Merritt Classic Rivalry Renewed

Tennessee State University (TSU) and Jackson State University (JSU) will reignite their historic football rivalry at the 2026 John A. Merritt Classic on August 29 at Nissan Stadium. This matchup, the first at this event, continues a rivalry established over 70 years ago, with TSU leading the all-time series 30-23-2. The home-and-home series will also see TSU visit JSU in 2027, highlighting the traditional importance of this matchup for both prog…

Jackson State and Tennessee State to renew rivalry again

Jackson State and Tennessee State will renew one of HBCU football’s longest-running rivalries to open the 2026 season. The programs are set to meet in the 2026 John A. Merritt Classic on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The game will be part of the Week 0 college football slate and marks the first time the two teams have faced each other in the John A. Merritt Classic. At the same time, it adds another chapter to a r…

Reunited and it feels so good: Jackson State and Tennessee State to renew football rivalry this coming season

The Jackson State/Tennessee State separation didn’t last very long, thank goodness. Tuesday morning, both schools announced that they will resume their football rivalry Saturday Aug. 29 in the John A. Merritt Classic at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. “The John A. Merritt Classic provides the perfect stage to renew our rivalry with Jackson State,” Tennessee State athletic director Mikki Allen said. “Hosting the game in 2026 and returning…