New Haven and Marist Schedule “77 Classic” Through 2032

New Haven football has locked in a regional rivalry that feels like a throwback to what college football is supposed to be.

Athletic Director Devin Crosby confirmed exclusively to NECBlitz.com that the Chargers will face Marist every season through 2032, officially making the new rivalry an annual meeting for the next several classes of Chargers. The game is called the “77 Classic,” a nod to the 77-mile drive between Poughkeepsie and New Haven.

“We’re going to host Marist… and play them every year up until 2032,” Crosby said. “This will be a regional football game versus Marist, 77 miles away. That’s really important.”

The series will open the season each year on opening Friday night, with the 2026 edition on August 28. The early season, Friday night timeslot will give the matchup a permanent primetime feel.

Even better for local fans: the game will rotate sites every other season, alternating between New Haven and Poughkeepsie.

This is exactly the kind of game the region needs.

In an era where schedules are often filled with one-off buy games and long-distance travel, New Haven and Marist are leaning into geography, tradition, and accessibility for fans, student-athletes, and regular students who might want to take a football road trip. And when you play annually, bad blood develops naturally.

“It’s important for higher education, for college athletics,” Crosby said. “Regional football matters.”

The schools will evaluate the agreement after the 2027 season, but the intent is clear: this is meant to be a long-term fixture on the schedule.