Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Kailey Hill '26 - @rahsignz
2026 Homecoming Central
9/28/2026 4:55:00 PM | Football, General, Our Stories
A variety of Central Michigan University Homecoming events are planned in and around CMU Athletics events; Kickoff on Saturday vs. Akron is at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan Athletics invites all alumni, friends, and family members this weekend to campus as Central Michigan University will celebrate its 100th all-time Homecoming Game.
Sponsored by McLaren Central Michigan, kickoff for the annual 2026 Homecoming Football game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 3 against Akron at Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Tickets are still available for the game. For ticket information or to buy Homecoming game tickets, click on this link, please call (989) 774-3045 or e-mail ticketcentral@cmich.edu. For those unable to attend Homecoming Weekend in Mount Pleasant, the football game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Homecoming is a Central Michigan tradition that began on Nov. 22, 1924, when the Chippewas defeated Alma 13-0. Central Michigan holds a 62-35-2 record in Homecoming games (note: CMU did not play Homecoming games during four years from 1943-45 due to World War II and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). This year's game marks the 102nd anniversary of Homecoming at Central Michigan and the 100th all-time game. The Chippewas have claimed four of their last six Homecoming Games dating back to 2019. The following link contains a complete history of Homecoming at Central Michigan dating back to the first event in 1924.
Multiple groups will be recognized during the game, including Homecoming Grand Marshals Sarah and Dan Opperman and Maroon & Gold Ambassadors. Additional presentations include the recognition of CMU Athletics' prestigious Boyden and Enberg Award recipients. On Saturday morning before kickoff, the university will host its annual Homecoming parade at 11 a.m. A variety of other on-campus Homecoming events are listed below.
Fan Fest activities on the north side of the stadium include the Meijer Kids' Zone and Gold Post BBQ & Beer. Both open at 12:30 p.m. The CMU Tailgate Show begins at 1 p.m. and Spirit Walk takes place at 1:23 p.m. Teams who will sign autographs at Fan Fest include men's and women's cross country, women's track and field, and gymnastics. All parking lots open at 11:30 a.m.
One other CMU Athletics team will be in action in Mount Pleasant this week: the Chippewa women's soccer team will host Miami, Ohio on Sunday at 1 p.m.
"Homecoming weekend is a celebratory event for our great university and athletics program," Zyzelewski Family Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "It's an excellent time for all of our students, student-athletes, alumni, family members, and fans to come out, show their Central Michigan support, and enjoy all of the planned events this weekend."
In addition to the football game, Central Michigan University has planned a variety of alumni and fan-friendly events. Scroll down below to view a list of Homecoming events. For more information and detailed description on each event, a complete list of Homecoming events at Central Michigan in and around campus is posted at this link and this link.
Below is a listing of events taking place during Homecoming Weekend. Join us as we celebrate 2026 Homecoming at Central Michigan!
2026 HOMECOMING WEEK COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
To read about each of the scheduled events and for more information on each event, check this link at Full weekend schedule of events with links.
Monday, Sept. 28
Annual Medallion Hunt (on campus)
Homecoming Carnival Kickoff, 6 p.m. (Bioscience Field)
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Doughnuts and Cider, Noon-2 p.m. (UC Front Lawn)
Survivor, Noon-2 p.m. (MAC Gym 1 & 2, SAC)
Wednesday, Sept. 30
ShowBiz Quiz, 5:30-7 p.m. (UC Auditorium)
Battleship, 7:30 p.m. (SAC pool)
Thursday, October 1
School of Music Class of 2013 Alumni, all day (School of Music)
Keeping Up with the CMU Alumni Panel, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (French Auditorium)
Central Michigan Football Coaches Radio Show, 6 p.m. Ascend Sports Bar & Lounge, Soaring Eagle Casino
Friday, October 2
Annual Career Awareness Session With CMU Latine Alumni Chapter, 1 p.m. (UC Auditoriium)
Honors Alumni Chapter Anniversary Proclamation, 2 p.m. (Powers Hall Lbby)
Honors Alumni Chapter Panel, 2:15 p.m. (Grawn Hall)
Honors Alumni Chapter Tours, 4 p.m. (Grawn Hall Atrium)
Green Alumni at the Cabin, 5-7 p.m. (The Cabin)
Rock Rally, 6 p.m. (Plachta Auditorium)
Black Alumni Chapter Welcome Mixer, 6-8 p.m. (Bovee University Center, 3rd Floor)
Alumni Takeover: Wayside Edition, 6 p.m.
Honors Alumni Chapter Social Hour, 7-9 p.m. (Hunter's Ale House)
Homecoming Greek Showcase and Step Show, 9-11 p.m.
Black Alumni Chapter Back Like we Never Left! Alumni Party, 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m. (Encore Nightclub)
Saturday, Oct. 3
School of Communication, Journalism, Media Events, all day
Special Olympics Michigan 5K Race, 8 a.m. (Finch Fieldhouse)
Band Alumni Coffee Hour, 8 a.m.-9 a.m., Kelly/Shorts Stadium West Concourse
Community Coffee and Donuts, 9:30 a.m., Powers Lobby
Alumni Breakfast and Maroon/Gold Ambassador Breakfast, 9:30 a.m., Powers Ballroom Room 243
College of Business Administration Open House and Parade Viewing, 10 a.m.-noon (Grawn Hall Atrium)
Parade Viewing With Honors Alumni Chapter, 11 a.m. (Larzelere Hall)
2026 Homecoming Parade, 11 a.m.
College of Science and Engineering Chili Cook-off and Cardboard Boat Parade, 11 a.m.-noon (Engineering & Technology Building)
Black Alumni Chapter Tailgate, 11:30 a.m. (Grass lot southeast of Kelly/Shorts Stadium)
Homecoming Art & Design Reception, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Wightman Hall, Room 152)
Honors Alumni Tailgate, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Registration: link
Leadership Institute, Student Activities & Involvement and Volunteer Center Alumni Tailgate, Noon, Lot 62E
Tours of the Student Activity Center, Noon-4 p.m. (Student Activity Center)
Cider & Donuts with the College of Education and Human Services, 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. (Education and Human Services Building)
Cardboard Boat Races, 1 p.m. (Rose Ponds)
College of the Arts and Media Alumni Tailgate, 1:30 p.m. (Lot 63)
2026 Homecoming Football Game vs. Akron, 3:30 p.m., Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, ESPN+
All Bets on Black: Black Alumni Chapter Parter, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. (Soaring Eagle Casino)
Sunday, October 4
Women's Soccer vs. Miami, Ohio, 1 p.m. (CMU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex)
Italics: CMU Athletics sponsored event
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
—CMU—
Sponsored by McLaren Central Michigan, kickoff for the annual 2026 Homecoming Football game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 3 against Akron at Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Tickets are still available for the game. For ticket information or to buy Homecoming game tickets, click on this link, please call (989) 774-3045 or e-mail ticketcentral@cmich.edu. For those unable to attend Homecoming Weekend in Mount Pleasant, the football game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Homecoming is a Central Michigan tradition that began on Nov. 22, 1924, when the Chippewas defeated Alma 13-0. Central Michigan holds a 62-35-2 record in Homecoming games (note: CMU did not play Homecoming games during four years from 1943-45 due to World War II and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). This year's game marks the 102nd anniversary of Homecoming at Central Michigan and the 100th all-time game. The Chippewas have claimed four of their last six Homecoming Games dating back to 2019. The following link contains a complete history of Homecoming at Central Michigan dating back to the first event in 1924.
Multiple groups will be recognized during the game, including Homecoming Grand Marshals Sarah and Dan Opperman and Maroon & Gold Ambassadors. Additional presentations include the recognition of CMU Athletics' prestigious Boyden and Enberg Award recipients. On Saturday morning before kickoff, the university will host its annual Homecoming parade at 11 a.m. A variety of other on-campus Homecoming events are listed below.
Fan Fest activities on the north side of the stadium include the Meijer Kids' Zone and Gold Post BBQ & Beer. Both open at 12:30 p.m. The CMU Tailgate Show begins at 1 p.m. and Spirit Walk takes place at 1:23 p.m. Teams who will sign autographs at Fan Fest include men's and women's cross country, women's track and field, and gymnastics. All parking lots open at 11:30 a.m.
One other CMU Athletics team will be in action in Mount Pleasant this week: the Chippewa women's soccer team will host Miami, Ohio on Sunday at 1 p.m.
"Homecoming weekend is a celebratory event for our great university and athletics program," Zyzelewski Family Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "It's an excellent time for all of our students, student-athletes, alumni, family members, and fans to come out, show their Central Michigan support, and enjoy all of the planned events this weekend."
In addition to the football game, Central Michigan University has planned a variety of alumni and fan-friendly events. Scroll down below to view a list of Homecoming events. For more information and detailed description on each event, a complete list of Homecoming events at Central Michigan in and around campus is posted at this link and this link.
Below is a listing of events taking place during Homecoming Weekend. Join us as we celebrate 2026 Homecoming at Central Michigan!
2026 HOMECOMING WEEK COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
To read about each of the scheduled events and for more information on each event, check this link at Full weekend schedule of events with links.
Monday, Sept. 28
Annual Medallion Hunt (on campus)
Homecoming Carnival Kickoff, 6 p.m. (Bioscience Field)
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Doughnuts and Cider, Noon-2 p.m. (UC Front Lawn)
Survivor, Noon-2 p.m. (MAC Gym 1 & 2, SAC)
Wednesday, Sept. 30
ShowBiz Quiz, 5:30-7 p.m. (UC Auditorium)
Battleship, 7:30 p.m. (SAC pool)
Thursday, October 1
School of Music Class of 2013 Alumni, all day (School of Music)
Keeping Up with the CMU Alumni Panel, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (French Auditorium)
Central Michigan Football Coaches Radio Show, 6 p.m. Ascend Sports Bar & Lounge, Soaring Eagle Casino
Friday, October 2
Annual Career Awareness Session With CMU Latine Alumni Chapter, 1 p.m. (UC Auditoriium)
Honors Alumni Chapter Anniversary Proclamation, 2 p.m. (Powers Hall Lbby)
Honors Alumni Chapter Panel, 2:15 p.m. (Grawn Hall)
Honors Alumni Chapter Tours, 4 p.m. (Grawn Hall Atrium)
Green Alumni at the Cabin, 5-7 p.m. (The Cabin)
Rock Rally, 6 p.m. (Plachta Auditorium)
Black Alumni Chapter Welcome Mixer, 6-8 p.m. (Bovee University Center, 3rd Floor)
Alumni Takeover: Wayside Edition, 6 p.m.
Honors Alumni Chapter Social Hour, 7-9 p.m. (Hunter's Ale House)
Homecoming Greek Showcase and Step Show, 9-11 p.m.
Black Alumni Chapter Back Like we Never Left! Alumni Party, 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m. (Encore Nightclub)
Saturday, Oct. 3
School of Communication, Journalism, Media Events, all day
Special Olympics Michigan 5K Race, 8 a.m. (Finch Fieldhouse)
Band Alumni Coffee Hour, 8 a.m.-9 a.m., Kelly/Shorts Stadium West Concourse
Community Coffee and Donuts, 9:30 a.m., Powers Lobby
Alumni Breakfast and Maroon/Gold Ambassador Breakfast, 9:30 a.m., Powers Ballroom Room 243
College of Business Administration Open House and Parade Viewing, 10 a.m.-noon (Grawn Hall Atrium)
Parade Viewing With Honors Alumni Chapter, 11 a.m. (Larzelere Hall)
2026 Homecoming Parade, 11 a.m.
College of Science and Engineering Chili Cook-off and Cardboard Boat Parade, 11 a.m.-noon (Engineering & Technology Building)
Black Alumni Chapter Tailgate, 11:30 a.m. (Grass lot southeast of Kelly/Shorts Stadium)
Homecoming Art & Design Reception, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Wightman Hall, Room 152)
Honors Alumni Tailgate, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Registration: link
Leadership Institute, Student Activities & Involvement and Volunteer Center Alumni Tailgate, Noon, Lot 62E
Tours of the Student Activity Center, Noon-4 p.m. (Student Activity Center)
Cider & Donuts with the College of Education and Human Services, 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. (Education and Human Services Building)
Cardboard Boat Races, 1 p.m. (Rose Ponds)
College of the Arts and Media Alumni Tailgate, 1:30 p.m. (Lot 63)
2026 Homecoming Football Game vs. Akron, 3:30 p.m., Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, ESPN+
All Bets on Black: Black Alumni Chapter Parter, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. (Soaring Eagle Casino)
Sunday, October 4
Women's Soccer vs. Miami, Ohio, 1 p.m. (CMU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex)
Italics: CMU Athletics sponsored event
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
—CMU—
Sunday, September 27
Friday, September 25
Wednesday, September 23
Wednesday, September 23