DURHAM, N.C. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) board of directors has approved Durham, N.C. as the site of the CIAA Football Championship starting in 2025 through 2027. The Durham Sports Commission will host the championship, with Durham County Memorial Stadium (DCMS) as the event’s selected venue.
Charlotte, N.C., and Salem, Va cities also submitted bids. The board reviewed several factors in its decision to move to Durham, including facility use and staffing, team support, opportunities for community engagement, and involvement of the local business community.
“Durham has a great history with this event and we are immensely proud to once again be hosting the CIAA Football Championship in Durham,” says Marcus Manning, executive director of the Durham Sports Commission. “We’re dedicated to showcasing our vibrant community here in Durham, while also celebrating diversity and creating an unforgettable experience for fans, spectators, and student-athletes.”
The football championship was previously held at DCMS from 2008-2012 and 2014-2015, pulling in crowds of more than 10,000 fans. The CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship is already hosted by the Durham Sports Commission at the stadium. CIAA-member Shaw University currently hosts its home football and soccer games at the venue.
Durham County Memorial Stadium is just minutes from lodging, restaurants, and other attractions.
Salem, Va., has been the home of the CIAA championship since 2017, including a celebration in 2023 for hosting more than 100 years of NCAA championships.
According to a CIAA news release, the transition back to Durham provides an opportunity to further grow the event and highlight the CIAA’s mission.
“The CIAA looks forward to returning to Durham County Memorial Stadium,” says league commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. “Our recent media rights partnership with HBCU Go gives us the opportunity to showcase our top teams in a centralized location, again where the football championship has thrived in the past. The CIAA will have an opportunity to engage in the community beyond the game in a way that supports the mission of the conference.”
