AHSAA Announces Changes to Super 7 Host Sites: Alabama and Auburn Removed Due to Expanded College Football Playoff

Montgomery, AL – The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), in collaboration with the cities of Tuscaloosa, Auburn, and Opelika, has announced the removal of The University of Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium and Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium from the Super 7 High School Football Championships host site rotation. This decision has become necessary due to the new expanded College Football Playoff plan, which could require both universities to host playoff games in the future, thereby conflicting with the AHSAA’s annual Super 7 football championships.

“We are grateful to the cities of Tuscaloosa, Auburn and Opelika, Auburn University, the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports, and Auburn-Opelika Tourism for their support since the rotation began in 2009,” said AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs. “The experiences and memories provided for our member schools, the teams, their students, and communities have been immeasurable. We understand, however, the conflicts that will be unavoidable in the future based on the expanded CFA playoff structure.”

Birmingham and Protective Stadium, which will host the Super 7 Championships next December, will remain in the AHSAA Super 7 host rotation. The AHSAA is also evaluating other rotation options, said Briggs. All parties involved regret the necessity for this rotation change.

Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox acknowledged the benefits their communities experienced from hosting the Super 7 Championships. They expressed gratitude for the positive impact the games had on their cities, as well as the lasting experiences afforded to the state’s high school student-athletes, their schools, and communities.

“Hosting the Super 7 has been an immense honor for the City of Auburn,” Anders said. “The Super 7 serves as a pinnacle moment in the lives of many young students in Alabama. Our city has handled this hosting responsibility with the professionalism expected at any local athletic event, conference, performance, or family gathering. Our community has similarly served the teams, families, and other Super 7 visitors with a personal investment of time and effort that characterizes the Auburn Spirit.”

Maddox echoed this sentiment for Tuscaloosa. “The City of Tuscaloosa has proudly hosted many Alabama High School Athletic Association Super 7 State Football Championships since 2009, providing countless athletes, coaches, family members, and fans with an unforgettable football experience,” Maddox said. “Although Tuscaloosa and Auburn will no longer host due to the expansion of the College Football Playoffs, we are grateful for our partnership with AHSAA and look forward to seeing the event thrive across other cities in Alabama.”

Fuller shared similar thoughts for Opelika, stating, “The city of Opelika is honored to have been a part of the Super 7 for many years. The experiences had by the athletes, band members, students, cheerleaders, and fans are priceless. To be under the big lights in a grand stadium is something we all will remember for a lifetime. We are hopeful to one day be back at Jordan-Hare Stadium for the Super 7.”

Kelsey Rush, president, and CEO of Tuscaloosa Tourism, also expressed gratitude. “Since 2009, Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports and Auburn-Opelika Tourism have spared no expense and manpower ensuring this event was memorable for all participants and spectators. Helping manage the event from start to finish with the help of those partners already mentioned has been an honor and a privilege.”

The cities’ leaders recognized the collaborative effort involved in hosting the Super 7. Anders thanked Auburn University’s Athletic Department, Auburn University Raptor Center, and local law enforcement for their commitments. He also praised the volunteers who provided enthusiastic support to the event.

“The Super 7 exposes our state to the best of Alabama,” Anders said. “Talented youth, dedicated coaches, outstanding administrators, devoted families, and faithful communities… It’s been a great responsibility to host this celebration of all that is great about the State of Alabama. We wish all the best to the future of the Super 7.”

Briggs concluded by expressing the AHSAA’s gratitude to its Super 7 partners: “Having two of the nation’s biggest rivals come together with their cities to provide the opportunity of a lifetime for our member schools is priceless, and we can’t thank them enough. What we have achieved with our championships, thanks to the cooperation of such rivals, has been envied in other states and set a wonderful example for all of us.”