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ESPN’s flagship sports news program is coming to Birmingham.
ESPN’s flagship sports news program is coming to Birmingham.ESPN’s flagship sports news program is coming to Birmingham. UAB Athletics will host ESPN ‘SportsCenter on Campus’ on Thursday, Oct. 15, outside Protective Stadium as part of the lead-up to the Blazers’ Homecoming matchup against East Carolina.
The live show will air from 4-4:30 p.m. CT and will be hosted by Matt Barrie. UAB and East Carolina will kick off later that evening at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
The appearance will mark the first visit by ‘SportsCenter on Campus’ to Birmingham.
The show will add another national spotlight to a full day of Homecoming festivities at UAB. The university’s 2026 Homecoming theme is “Blaze the Seas,” with activities scheduled throughout the week leading into Thursday’s game.
Game-day events begin with the UAB Homecoming Parade at noon, and Blazer fans and UAB students are encouraged to arrive early at Protective Stadium and tailgate before the game. Blazer Village, UAB Athletics’ official pregame fan fest, opens outside Protective Stadium at 2:30 p.m. and will feature music, games, inflatables and yard games for family fun and other activities leading up to kickoff.
The Blazers and Pirates will then meet at Protective Stadium in a nationally televised American Conference matchup at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN. For ticket information, click here. UAB students receive admission at no cost by downloading a mobile student ticket.
SportsCenter is ESPN’s flagship sports news program, featuring breaking news, highlights, analysis and feature storytelling. During the college football season, Thursday editions of ‘SportsCenter on Campus’originate from the site of ESPN’s nationally televised Thursday night game.
For a complete schedule of UAB Homecoming activities, visit the UAB Homecoming website.
‘SPORTSCENTER ON CAMPUS’
Thursday, Oct. 15
Outside Protective Stadium
Live Broadcast: 4-4:30 p.m. CT
Hosts: Matt Barrie and Chase Daniel
UAB vs. EAST CAROLINA
Protective Stadium
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN
KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE FOR EAST CAROLINA GAME
UAB Athletics has announced that kids ages 12 and under will receive FREE admission to the Blazers' home game against East Carolina on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. CT at Protective Stadium. Fans can redeem the offer online using promo code U12FREE and must purchase at least one reserved ticket through the promotion to receive complimentary youth tickets. The promo code is valid until 2:30 p.m. CT on Oct. 15.
After the online promotion expires, families can still take advantage of the offer at the Protective Stadium box office by purchasing at least one reserved ticket. Fans may also contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-8221 for assistance. Individual game tickets can be purchased by clicking here, while group tickets and fan experience packages are available by clicking here.
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