High school football teams play at 2026 Circle City Classic INDIANAPOLIS — The Circle City Classic, an annual celebration of Black culture, returned to Lucas Oil Stadium this year with a new focus on local talent. The 2026 edition broke from tradition by replacing the standard collegiate foo tball game with a series of matchups between Indianapolis-area high schools. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., drawing thousands to the downtown stadium. “This means everything to Indianapolis,” Jerdson Gamble said, a football coach from Warren Central High School. “We need this here every year. We can’t let this go. So if this is the right direction for it, bringing the high schools in, this is what we gotta do.” Warren Central defeated Pike 24-14 in the afternoon game, while Lawrence North beat Ben Davis 31-21 in the Saturday night showcase. “It’s an absolute honor to play in this,” Brett Cooper said, Ben Davis High School head football coach. “I want our kids to play well and just enjoy the opportunity that they have to play in an NFL stadium.” Pike football player Kysen Harvey described the experience as “surreal.” “I never thought I’d play here,” Harvey said. “My team, we didn’t get the job done today, but we still are very appreciative of the opportunity.” The schools’ cheerleading squads joined the football teams on the sidelines. “They are so excited,” Kimberly Cave said, Warren Central High School head cheer coach. “They were screaming, yelling, jumping up and down and everything, as soon as we walked in this afternoon… The girls were very excited because some of them haven’t even been inside Lucas Oil Stadium.” While the event lacked HBCU football teams this year, several historically Black college bands performed. A “Battle of the Bands” featured Talladega College, Kentucky State University and Miles College. Outside the stadium, festivities included professional wrestling matches and a vendor fair featuring local businesses. “I’ve always came to this event just to hang out and have fun, and I dreamed of being a vendor,” Lavar Brown said, owner of Fry Daddy Brown’s. “It has been an amazing time. It’s a lot of fun. No violence, negative energy. Positivity to the city.” ...read more read less