HBCU Legends

2024 Celebration Bowl: Viewership Soars While Attendance Declines

This year's viewership numbers were encouraging, but the attendance is falling.

Kyle T. Mosley

Celebration Bowl Numbers
Celebration Bowl Numbers / Credit: HBCU Legends
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The 2024 Cricket Celebration Bowl featured the highly anticipated matchup between Jackson State Tigers and South Carolina State Bulldogs on Saturday, Dec. 14. 2024.   

This year's viewership numbers on ABC increased by 37% compared to last year's game, as ESPN Events executive John T. Grant reported to HBCU Legends. The total audience reached 2.1 million, peaking at 2.6 million during the event.

Jackson State Tigers DL Jeremiah Williams (Defensive MVP) and QB Jacobian Morgan (Offensive MVP) - Celebration Bowl; Dec. 14,
Jackson State Tigers DL Jeremiah Williams (Defensive MVP) and QB Jacobian Morgan (Offensive MVP) - Celebration Bowl; Dec. 14, 2024; Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA / Credit: Kyle T. Mosley, HBCU Legends

In last year's game, Florida A&M defeated Howard, attracting nearly 1.51 million viewers. That year, the 2023 Celebration Bowl was the second most-watched FCS postseason game, only behind South Dakota State's quarterfinal win over Villanova.

Scheduling conflicts had the 2023 game competing against NFL Network's televised games. Some believed limited promotion and the lack of star power in the tilt affected viewership.

However, this number was still less than the 2022 Celebration Bowl, which drew 2.407 million viewers and peaked at 3 million.

Jackson State head football coach TC Taylor in his Celebration Bowl postgame interview. December 14, 2024; Mercedes-Benz St
Jackson State head football coach TC Taylor in his Celebration Bowl postgame interview. December 14, 2024; Mercedes-Benz Stadium. / Credit: Kyle T. Mosley, HBCU Legends

ATTENDANCE FALLS

Officials reported that Saturday's Celebration Bowl attracted 36,823 spectators, a drastic decrease from the 48,653 fans in 2021 when Jackson State faced South Carolina State for the first time in the event.

The all-time attendance Celebration Bowl record was in 2022 when 49,670 witnessed NCCU eclipsing Jackson State 41-34 in an overtime thriller. In the 2023 game, only 41,108 attended Florida A&M, defeating Howard 35-25.

ABC had the two HBCU football announcers, Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay Walker (color analyst), in the booth. Quint Kessenich was the network's sidelines reporter.

The Celebration Bowl effectively highlights the top teams from MEAC and SWAC. However, the current economic situation and the timing between Thanksgiving and Christmas have contributed to recent declines in attendance and a rise in viewership.  

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Kyle T. Mosley
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:

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