BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – As the bright yellow school buses began lining up along 12th Avenue, the hum of excitement started to build. Doors swung open, and waves of students spilled out, their laughter and chatter quickly filling the calm morning air. After seven months of planning, the moment had finally arrived. The gates opened, music echoed through the stadium, and more than 5,100 fans poured in, marking the 2025 season’s attendance high and transforming an ordinary Wednesday into Birmingham Legion FC’s first-ever Education Day, presented by Shipt.
Even under the unseasonably hot September sun, the energy was relentless. Rally towels spun, cheers echoed from section to section, and the sound of thousands of students created a buzz unlike anything else this season. For Legion FC, it was more than a game; it was the start of a tradition that brought classrooms and community together on the pitch.
“Seeing thousands of students and teachers come together for our very first Education Day was truly special,” said Legion FC Chief Business Officer Nick Hall. “This event showed the power of soccer to inspire, to connect and to create memories that last well beyond the final whistle.”
Before kickoff, students poured into the north terrace where a world of discovery awaited. Education tents buzzed with hands-on activities: mixing bubbling science experiments with the McWane Science Center, diving into interactive art and nature exhibits, and uncovering new ways to explore the world around them. One student from Leeds Elementary squealed with delight after touching the fur of a skunk for the first time at the Jefferson County Greenways tent, while a young aspiring broadcaster from Homewood Middle School saw her dream leap off the page when she delivered a live weather forecast in front of WBRC Fox 6’s green screen.
The Birmingham Museum of Art’s tent proved to be a roaring success, drawing constant crowds with its “design-and-make-your-own-noisemaker” station. Students proudly waved and rattled their custom creations from the stands, adding to the thunderous soundscape that pulsed all morning long. Other organizations helping spark curiosity included Barnes & Noble, the Birmingham Public Library, Cahaba River Society, Hydralive, Over the Mountain Young Engineers, and the Southern Center for Broadening Participation in STEM.
Adding to the day’s impact, Alabama DECA held its annual orientation for new members inside the VIP Club Lounge prior to kickoff. Hundreds of high school students from across Alabama gathered together to learn about real-world skills and professional development opportunities, and Legion FC was proud to play host to such an inspiring event that helps prepare the state’s next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.
Thanks to the generosity of Shipt and McWane Inc., every student in attendance enjoyed a complimentary lunch, fueling both bodies and excitement. The gesture underscored the day’s mission: creating meaningful memories where learning, laughter, and soccer collide. The overwhelming success of Legion FC’s first Education Day is only the beginning. Planning is already underway to make this tradition even bigger, with future matches likely held in spring or late fall 2026.
“We’re proud to partner with our schools and sponsors to give kids an experience that blends learning with the excitement of game day,” Hall said. “We can’t wait to make it even bigger in the years ahead.”
Legion FC extends gratitude to every school, student, teacher, and community partner who made the inaugural Education Day unforgettable. For one morning, classrooms were traded for stands, pencils for rally towels, and textbooks for goal celebrations, and the result was a resounding win for Birmingham.
If your school would like to join the next wave of this growing tradition, fill out the interest form below and help us turn game day into the most exciting classroom in the Magic City.
