Thanks to Michael Vick, a MEAC football game is being moved to a larger venue.
Howard University and Norfolk State University are set to clash at Audi Field on Saturday, Nov. 22, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET in a contest billed as the Truth and Service Classic, presented by AT&T, and broadcast live on ESPN+.
This anticipated matchup not only continues Audi Field’s five-year tradition as an HBCU football showcase in the nation’s capital but also marks the venue’s debut as a host for a regular-season college football game.
For Norfolk State, led by Vick, it will be the program’s first-ever appearance at Audi Field.
How to get tickets for MEAC matchup
Tickets for the Howard-Norfolk State clash at Audi Field, a 20,000-seat venue home to professional soccer teams, will go on sale starting Wednesday, Oct. 8. Season Ticket Members will enjoy exclusive early access beginning at 10 a.m. ET, followed by general public availability at noon. Fans eager to experience this historic rivalry can secure seats through digital ticket platforms.
“We’re excited to see Howard University football back for a second game this year, and we’re excited to welcome Norfolk State University to Audi Field for the first time in what promises to be an incredible afternoon of HBCU football,” said Danita Johnson, D.C. United President of Business Operations.
“These events have become a powerful showcase of culture, tradition, and community pride, and we’re honored to provide a stage that celebrates HBCU excellence here in the nation’s capital.”
The upcoming contest marks Howard’s sixth all-time football appearance at Audi Field and the second of the 2025 season. The Bison and Spartans share a storied rivalry, having met 30 times in MEAC play, with Howard holding a 20-10 series edge.
Their last meeting, on October 26, 2024, saw Norfolk State edge out Howard in a 21-20 thriller at Greene Stadium.
“Our guys have worked all year for moments like this,” Vick said. “To close the season at Audi Field, a big-time stage in front of our fans and alumni in D.C., means a lot to our program. It’s another chance to represent Norfolk State the right way, embrace the moment, compete hard, and make Spartan Nation proud.”