Celebration Bowl Attendance, Viewers Outpaced Several FBS Bowl Games

The Celebration Bowl's financial and broadcasting impact will aid HBCU football's growth in 2022.

Kyle T. Mosley | Dec 31, 2021

The Celebration Bowl's financial and broadcasting impact will aid HBCU football's growth in 2022.

Dec 18, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; South Carolina State Bulldogs players react after defeating the Jackson State Tigers in the 2021 Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

ATTENDANCE

The Celebration Bowl had 48,653 in attendance for the showdown between State Carolina State and Jackson State for the HBCU National Championship title.

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium also hosted the 2021 Peach Bowl. The Pittsburgh vs. Michigan State contest attendance was 41,230 fans in the seats.

Jackson State led most FBS and FCS schools with a regular-season average in-home game attendance of 44,021. Mississippi Memorial Stadium in Jackson, MS, can hold up to 60,492.

According to Collegiate Sports Management Group's Eli Boettger, the average FBS game attendance in 2021 was 38,775, a -6.5% change from 41,477 in 2019.

Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders and South Carolina State head coach Oliver Pough shake hands at midfield following the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday December 18, 2021. Cb47; Credit:© Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

VIEWERSHIP

The Celebration Bowl had 2.6 million watchers via television in terms of viewership. It was the most since 2016 for the HBCU showcase game.

Compared to the Armed Forces Bowl (2.6 million) and Guaranteed Rate Bowl (2.4 million), the Celebration Bowl had extremely positive numbers in an early time slot for Saturday afternoon football action.

The 48th Annual Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling increased 40% in ratings and 61% (1 million) increase in viewership with a final rating of 0.7 for NBC.

The attendance and viewership influence television networks to broadcast and sponsors to contribute millions into games and year-end bowl contests. Events like the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Orange Blossom Classic, SWAC Championships, Bayou Classic, and Celebration Bowl will continue to be HBCU football's flagship events.

Football fans gather by the thousands for the HBCUs' Labor Day Classics, Turkey Day Classics, and other games that could garner interest from networks and large corporations seeking to connect with HBCU sports in 2022.

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Published Dec 31, 2021

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: