CHARLOTTE, NC (October 27, 2025) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is now accepting media credential requests for the 2025 CIAA Football Championship, which will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST at Durham County Memorial Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. 

Media Credential Information 

Media outlets planning to cover the championship must submit a credential request through the CIAA Media Credential Portal. The portal will close on Friday, November 7, at 11:59 PM ET.  

Approved outlets will receive confirmation and additional information, including game week schedules, access procedures, and parking details, by Monday, November 10. 

Community Engagement During Championship Weekend 

To support visitors and create a welcoming environment throughout championship weekend, the CIAA is partnering with several Black owned businesses in Durham. These locations will offer fan friendly hospitality, menu features, and gathering spaces for alumni and supporters.  

Most participating businesses are located within a two-block area in East Durham, three venues downtown. 

Participating establishments include: 

• Middle of May – Owned by a former CIAA football student athlete. Offering a 20 percent discount throughout championship weekend with curated merchandise available for fans. 

• Proximity Brewing – Durham’s first Black owned brewery. Exploring a special edition beer label and hosting fan gatherings through the weekend. 

• East Durham Sweet Shoppe – Offering signature game day treats, including team colored popcorn and a specialty VIP fan snack box. 

• West End Billiards & West End Social (downtown) – The two Black-owned and veteran-owned businesses offering upscale entertainment and socializing will offer specials on locally brewed craft beverages. 

• Missy Lane’s Assembly Room (downtown) – A jazz and social venue offering weekend programming, including a watch event for alumni groups. 

These activations are being coordinated in collaboration with the Durham Sports Commission to support local businesses and create a unified championship weekend experience for visitors and the community. 

Media Contact: 
Anna M. Butzlaff 
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications 
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association 
abutzlaff@theciaa.com 

About the CIAA 
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first and longest running African American athletic conference in the United States and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management. 

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston Salem State University. For more information, visit theciaa.com, and follow the CIAA on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.