Bryant-Denny Stadium Removed From Super 7 Rotation With Expanded College Football Playoff

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) on Wednesday announced that Bryant-Denny Stadium has been removed from the Super 7 High School Football Championships host site rotation due to the new expanded College Football Playoff format.

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Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium was also removed from rotation due to the new CFP rules.

“We are grateful to the cities of Tuscaloosa, Auburn and Opelika, Auburn University, the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports and Auburn-Opelika Tourism for joining together to host our Super 7 since the rotation began in 2009,” AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs said. “The experiences and memories provided for our member schools, the teams, their students, and communities have been immeasurable. We understand, however, the conflicts that will be unavoidable in the future based on the expanded CFA playoff structure and format.”

The AHSAA said Birmingham and Protective Stadium, which hosts the Super 7 Championships next December, will remain in the Super 7 rotation.

“The City of Tuscaloosa has proudly hosted many Alabama High School Athletic Association Super 7 State Football Championships since 2009, providing countless athletes, coaches, family members, and fans with an unforgettable football experience,” Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said. “Although Tuscaloosa and Auburn will no longer be able to host due to the expansion of the College Football Playoffs, we are grateful for our partnership with AHSAA and look forward to seeing the event thrive across other cities in Alabama.”

Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports President and CEO Kelsey Rush also said it was an honor to have been a host site over the years.

“Visit Tuscaloosa is grateful for the partnership we’ve had between the City of Tuscaloosa, The University of Alabama, and the AHSAA," Rush told Patch. "It has been an honor to serve as a host city for the Super 7 High School Football Championships. While the reason for change is beyond anyone’s control, our team will continue to build on this relationship with the high school association and look at new opportunities to partner in the future.

"We owe significant thanks to those that helped Tuscaloosa host this impactful event over the years - from university team members, Visit Tuscaloosa staff, our Mayor and City Council members, police, medical, volunteers and vendors, athletes, their family members, coaches and countless more," Rush added. "Tuscaloosa is proud to have played a role in creating lifelong memories for these high school athletes.”

Briggs also said the AHSAA is indebted to the two schools and their communities.

“Having two of the nation’s biggest rivals come together with their cities to provide the opportunity of a lifetime for our member schools is priceless and we can’t thank them enough," he said. "What we have been able to do with our championships thanks to the cooperation of such rivals has been envied in other states and set a wonderful example for all of us.”

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