Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium and Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium will no longer host Super 7 high school football championships.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association made the long-rumored decision official Wednesday.
The AHSAA, along with the cities of Tuscaloosa, Auburn and Opelika, agreed to remove Auburn and Alabama from the Super 7 host rotation.
Jordan-Hare Stadium and Bryant-Denny Stadium have hosted the championships on a rotating basis since 2009. Birmingham’s Protector Stadium was added in 2021, making it a three-site rotation.
The expanded College Football Playoffs, which could have Auburn, Alabama or both hosting games in future years, made the move necessary for the two schools.
“We are grateful to the cities of Tuscaloosa, Auburn and Opelika, Auburn University and the University of Alabama for coming together to host our Super 7 since the rotation began in 2009,” said AHSAA CEO Alvin Briggs. “The experiences and memories provided to our member schools, teams, their students and communities have been immeasurable. However, we understand the conflicts that will be inevitable in the future due to the expanded structure and format of the CFA playoffs.”
Protective Stadium will host the championship for the second time in December and Birmingham will remain in the host rotation, according to Briggs. He also said the AHSAA will continue to study other rotating options. Briggs will retire in September. Oxford High Principal Heath Harmon was named the AHSAA’s sixth full-time executive director last week. It is expected to begin in early July.
Mobile is one of the cities that has shown interest in joining the rotation in the future. South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium currently hosts the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star football game every other year and the North-South All-Star game every year.
“We at Mobile Sports Authority have made it no secret that we would consider it an honor to host the future Super 7 soccer championship,” said Danny Corte, CEO of Mobile Sports Authority. “This is simply a very special week in our state that creates lifelong memories for the young athletes and their families, the coaches, the schools and their fans. With the strong partnerships we have been able to forge with our local public and private entities, we believe Mobile would prove to be an ideal location for such a prestigious event. With today’s news, I look forward to speaking in more detail with current and future AHSAA leaders about their plans for the Super 7 moving forward.”
The current three-team deal, announced by former CEO Steve Savarese in 2019, was to run through 2032 with Birmingham to host in 2021, 2024, 2027 and 2030. Birmingham hosted the large-school championship game at Legion Field from 1971 to 1995. and the Super 6 championships from 1996-2007.
Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said their communities have enjoyed hosting the Super 7 Championship and understand the positive impact the games have had on their cities. as well as the lasting experiences and memories they have provided to the state. high school student-athletes, their schools and communities at the same time.
“Hosting the Super 7 has been a tremendous honor for the city of Auburn,” Anders said. “The Super 7 represents a highlight in the lives of many young Alabama students. Our city has taken on this responsibility of hosting with the same level of professionalism that regular visitors to any local sporting event, conference, performance or family gathering have come to expect. Our community has also served Super 7 teams, families and other visitors with the personal investment of time and effort that characterizes the Auburn Spirit.”
Fuller said he hopes the event can return to Jordan-Hare in the future.
“The city of Opelika is honored to have been a part of the Super 7 for many years,” he said in a statement from the AHSAA. “The experiences lived by the athletes, band members, students, cheerleaders and fans are priceless. Being under the big lights of a big stadium is something we will all remember for a lifetime.”
Auburn last hosted the Super 7 in 2022. Alabama hosted the event a year ago.
“The city of Tuscaloosa has proudly hosted many Alabama High School Athletic Association Super 7 football state championships since 2009, providing countless athletes, coaches, families and fans with an unforgettable football experience,” Maddox said. “While Tuscaloosa and Auburn will no longer be able to host due to the expansion of the College Football Playoff, we are grateful for our partnership with the AHSAA and look forward to seeing the event thrive in other Alabama cities.”
Having the games at Jordan-Hare and Bryant-Denny allowed high school athletes and fans to experience traditions that are unique to both schools, including the Tiger Walk and Eagle Fly in Auburn and the Walk of Champions in Alabama.
The mayors thanked everyone involved in their respective communities for making the Super 7 a success when they organized it.
“The Super 7 exposes our state to the best of Alabama,” Anders said. “Talented young people, dedicated coaches, outstanding administrators, devoted families and loyal communities… It has been a great responsibility to host this celebration of all that is good about the state of Alabama. We wish all the best for the future of Super 7.”
Briggs, who played college football at Auburn, said having two of the country’s biggest rivals come together and host high school championships gave student-athletes the opportunity of a lifetime.
“What we have been able to do with our championships thanks to the cooperation of these rivals has been envied in other states and has been a wonderful example for all of us,” he said.