The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and Alabama A&M University (AAMU), the city’s two largest higher education institutions, are proud to announce the return of a cherished local tradition — the Mayor’s Cup, Huntsville’s cross-town basketball rivalry. UAH is part of The University of Alabama System.
This year’s Mayor’s Cup will take place on Monday, October 27, on the campus of Alabama A&M University. The women’s exhibition game will tip off at 5 p.m., followed by the men’s exhibition game at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
The Mayor’s Cup, designed to celebrate the spirit of competition and community between UAH and AAMU, marks the return of a rivalry that dates back nearly five decades. The men’s teams first met on December 3, 1974, competing regularly through the 1990s before a lengthy hiatus. The rivalry was briefly revived in 2013, when the AAMU Bulldogs secured the crown. The women’s rivalry began on December 5, 1977, with their last meeting in 1998 ending in a victory for the UAH Chargers.
Twelve years later, the Mayor’s Cup is back — reenergizing local support for intercollegiate athletics and providing an exciting showcase for student-athletes and fans across the city.
“This event is a great way to celebrate Huntsville’s thriving college sports culture and the passion of our students, alumni and supporters,” said Dr. Cade Smith, Director of Athletics at UAH. “We’re excited to bring back this tradition as a way to strengthen connections across our city and bring the community together.”
“The Mayor’s Cup is more than just a game—it’s a celebration of two dynamic institutions coming together to unify the greater Huntsville community through the power of basketball. We’re proud to host this event on The Hill and showcase the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and Bulldog pride. Go Bulldogs!” said Dr. Paul Bryant, Director of Athletics at Alabama A&M.
In the spirit of giving back, both universities will collect non-perishable food donations prior to the game to support local food pantries, reflecting the generosity and service that unite the UAH and AAMU communities.
As part of the festivities, the UAH Alumni Association will host the Mayor’s Cup Alumni Mixer at Moe’s Original BBQ in Downtown Huntsville at 5:30 p.m.