MEAC-SWAC 2020 football matchups in Atlanta canceled

North Carolina A&T coach Sam Washington and players celebrate with the championship trophy during the 2018 Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, December 15, 2018.  North Carolina A&T won 24-22 over Alcorn State. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

North Carolina A&T coach Sam Washington and players celebrate with the championship trophy during the 2018 Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, December 15, 2018. North Carolina A&T won 24-22 over Alcorn State. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

With the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s decision to cancel its football season this year, the Celebration Bowl and the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, each scheduled for Atlanta, were cancelled, too.

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge would have been played Sept. 6 at Georgia State Stadium and would have featured Grambling of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and South Carolina State of the MEAC.

The Celebration Bowl would have been played Dec. 21 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the champions of the MEAC and the SWAC facing off.

“We understand and respect the conference’s decision,” said John T. Grant, the executive director of each game. “The impact of COVID-19 on the Black and African-American community remains at the forefront of assuring everyone’s safety. HBCUs are an integral part of college football, and the MEAC’s absence will undoubtedly be a void this season. We appreciate the support of our sponsors, partners, and fans of the Grambling Tigers and South Carolina State Bulldogs who were set to kick off the 2020 season. We look forward to the return of both the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and Celebration Bowl next year.”