This summer, Howard University and Hampton University will face off in a football game at Audi Field, the first in a new series of games between the Howard Bison and other HBCU teams.

The game, called the Truth and Service Classic, also marks the first college football game to take place at the 20,000-seat stadium where D.C. United plays. (The short-lived XFL League’s D.C. Defenders also played at the stadium.)

Howard and Hampton have a historic rivalry, and the Sept. 18 game will be the 96th meeting between the two teams. But the Bison won’t always face the Pirates in the classic — Howard’s opponent will be named at the beginning of each football season.

“It will be tremendous thrill, for me personally and for the entire Howard University community, to see our football team play at Audi Field in the Truth and Service Classic,” said Howard University President Wayne Frederick. “In the aftermath of multiple sports seasons that were adjusted or canceled due to the pandemic, it is exciting to have sporting events to look forward to once again.”

While this is the first such classic at Audi Field, it’s far from the first major face-off between rival historically Black institutions. As The Undefeated once put it, these are “black college football classics, where fans dressed in their Sunday finest descend upon dozens of cities — including some of the gridiron’s more hallowed grounds — for annual festivals and fanfare that sometimes last four, five or six days.”

These festivals typically include battles between marching bands, parties, and even career fairs.

Howard and Hampton used to play each other at RFK Stadium for the AT&T Football Classic. In the past, D.C. United was in talks with Howard University to potentially host the school’s homecoming games at Audi Field, but that never materialized.

Details are still in the works, but Events DC is partnering with Howard and Audi Field to pull off the showcase. For information on when tickets will be available, sign up for updates on the event’s website. Events DC CEO Greg O’Dell said in a statement that he expects alumni and fans from across the country to travel to D.C. for the game.

“I am eagerly anticipating this next chapter in the storied rivalry between the two HUs — Howard University and Hampton University,” Frederick added. “This competition, combined with our mutual respect for one another, is sure to bring out the very best in both of our teams and institutions.”