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By TYLER RALEY | Special to the Reporter

The end of football season in the state of Alabama will look different for the foreseeable future, as both Bryant-Denny and Jordan-Hare Stadiums are being removed from the AHSAA Super 7 rotation.

The news comes as a result of the expanded College Football Playoff that will be put into effect for the 2024-2025 college football season.

Both Auburn University and the University of Alabama have been hosting the football state championship games since the stadium rotation began 15 years ago. Now, a new chapter opens in the history of the fall festivities.

“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,” said AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs. “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 CFP playoff structure and format.”

The expanded structure of the College Football Playoff will feature 12 teams, with the first round games being hosted on college campuses. Should either Alabama or Auburn be eligible to host a first-round contest, the AHSAA Super 7 would interfere with the field conditions of both schools, as well as the championship site rotation.

According to Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, all of the parties involved, including the tourism agencies, are disappointed to see this necessary change become reality, but are proud that the event has been a part of their school’s recent legacy.

 “Since 2009, the teams at Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports and Auburn-Opelika Tourism have spared no expense and no amount of manpower ensuring that this event was a memorable one for all participants and spectators,” said Kelsey Rush, president, and CEO of Tuscaloosa  Tourism. “Helping manage the event from start to finish with the help of those partners already mentioned has been an honor and a privilege.”

Briggs is forever grateful for all the cooperation that has occurred between the two institutions, knowing the era of this rotation has created memories that will both last a lifetime and set a new standard for what is to come.