Durham, NC (August 8, 2024) –The Durham Sports Commission (DSC), a leader in supporting and promoting positive economic and social impact through sporting events, is proud to announce that, for the fourth consecutive year, it will host the NAIA Football National Championship. The 69th annual event will be held in Durham County Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21 at noon.
“We’re excited to welcome the NAIA National Football Championship back to Durham,” said Marcus Manning, Executive Director of the Durham Sports Commission. “We can sense the positive momentum growing with every event and championship held in our city. This championship choosing to call Durham home for another year highlights our community and surrounding communities’ collective commitment to providing a first-class host experience. We are grateful for the NAIA’s continued trust and for the outstanding support from our public and private stakeholders. We look forward to another great championship game this December.”
Fans from across the nation, some traveling over 24 hours, have made the trip to Durham over the past three years to witness the terrific matchups and experience the passion and infectious energy of the Bull City. Last year, Keiser University (FL) and Northwestern College (IA) went head-to-head in the 68th NAIA Football Championship. Keiser, the 12 seed, took home the win against Northwestern with a final score of 31-21, making for a great underdog success story. Durham has also been a big winner with the championships generating $1.3 million total economic impact over the past 3 years.
“We are excited for year four of the NAIA Football National Championship in Durham, North Carolina,” said Austin Bennett, Director of Championships at NAIA. “The city has embraced us and the Durham Sports Commission, led by Marcus Manning, has been a great host and worked tirelessly to provide a great host experience for our student-athletes, coaches, and universities.”
Durham County Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose championship athletics venue situated just minutes away from lodging, restaurants, and the unique attractions that make the Bull City special. With a seating capacity of 8,500 and ample space for tailgating and other fan activations, the stadium helps bring to life the vibrant atmosphere NAIA fanbases are renowned for. Originally constructed in 1958, renovated in 2010, and new turf and scoreboard installments in the last three years, this historic stadium has hosted numerous competitions and championships over the years and helps keep the legacy of sporting greatness alive in Durham.
For weekly updates and announcements about the teams competing for the championship’s Red Banner, follow the DSC on social media @durhamncsports or visit www.durhamncsports.com.