MEAC/SWAC Challenge Among ESPN’s Top College Football Games of Week 0
Alabama A&M-Howard matchup averages 1.2 million viewers on ABC, up 10% year-over-year
ATLANTA – The Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff presented by Toyota continued its strong national television performance, with the Week 0 matchup between Alabama A&M and Howard ranking among ESPN’s most-watched college football games of the opening weekend. In the matchup, Howard defeated Alabama A&M 31-24 and Ja’Shawn Scroggins of Howard was named the game’s MVP.
The game, televised nationally on ABC, peaked at 1.7 million viewers and averaged 1.2 million viewers, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel measurement. The average audience was up 10 percent year-over-year and made the 2026 contest the second-most-watched MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff since 2024.
The Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff presented by Toyota joined several prominent national matchups among ESPN’s top-performing Week 0 games. TCU-North Carolina led ESPN’s opening-weekend slate with an average audience of 4.9 million viewers and a peak of 5.8 million, while NC State-Virginia averaged 3.2 million viewers and peaked at 4 million.
The year-over-year audience growth underscores the continued national interest in HBCU football and the strength of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge 0as one of the sport’s premier kickoff events.
Played annually in Atlanta, the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff presented by Toyota features programs from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Southwestern Athletic Conference while providing HBCU football, bands, institutions and traditions a national platform across ESPN networks.
The Challenge also serves as the opening bookend to ESPN Events’ HBCU football season, which culminates in December with the Cricket Celebration Bowl presented by Toyota at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, featuring the champions of the MEAC and SWAC.
The 2026 audience marks another strong television performance for the event and further demonstrates the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff presented by Toyota’s ability to reach fans nationally while showcasing the strength and talent of HBCU football.
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