What started as heavy hypothesis grew to become official on June 27. Mississippi Valley State College (MVSU) introduced a serious change to its 2025 HBCU soccer schedule, particularly the sport in opposition to Florida A&M College (FAMU). In a put up on the MVSU athletics web site, the college revealed: “Mississippi Valley State College Athletics is proud to announce that our 2025 soccer conflict with FAMU, initially scheduled to be performed at Rice–Totten Stadium in Itta Bena, will now happen at Atlanta’s iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, October 4, 2025.”
The information instantly created a buzz within the HBCU soccer group. With new athletic director Alecia Shields-Gadson taking the reins and head coach Terrell Buckley main the Delta Devils, pleasure round MVSU was at its highest in many years. That momentum was fueled by MVSU’s beautiful November 16 victory over FAMU. A win that snapped the Rattlers’ 23-game residence successful streak, the longest in FCS soccer on the time. It was the primary victory over FAMU in class historical past.
Confusion Over Tickets and Occasion Particulars
Nonetheless, when followers started calling the MVSU ticket workplace, they had been met with uncertainty. A consultant stated particulars in regards to the occasion had been nonetheless “forthcoming.” Additional questions revealed that the division had no information of the specifics for the proposed Atlanta recreation.
An analogous story got here from Florida A&M’s athletics workplace. “The sport is Mississippi Valley’s residence SWAC contest. All details about the sport should come from their workplace,” a employees member defined. This meant FAMU’s ticket workplace — which frequently sells away-game tickets for the comfort of Rattler followers — had no further data both.
Venue Schedule Raises Doubts
Looking for affirmation from the venue, we contacted Mercedes-Benz Stadium instantly. Their printed occasions schedule for late 2025 via 2026 didn’t listing the MVSU vs. FAMU recreation. The absence of the matchup from one of many nation’s premier soccer venues raises doubts about whether or not the occasion was really confirmed, despite the fact that the Celebration Bowl isn’t listed both.
HBCU Tradition Meets Occasion Promotion
Regardless of the uncertainty, Atlanta’s standing as a hub for HBCU tradition has already impressed native promoters to plan. A number of well-known occasion organizers started promoting weekend festivities in anticipation of FAMU followers touring to the town.
However with no official ticket data, venue affirmation, or updates from both college, the joy for an Atlanta showdown is cooling. The most certainly situation is a return to the unique location. Itta Bena, Mississippi, for the extremely anticipated SWAC matchup between the Rattlers and the Delta Devils.
