Athens is painting the town green and white today as Ohio University’s Homecoming 2026 celebration takes over campus and the uptown streets. Thousands of alumni, students and fans are expected back on the Bricks for a full day of traditions capping Homecoming Week, which ran Oct. 5-10.
The festivities begin with the annual Homecoming Parade stepping off at 10 a.m. on West Union Street, winding through Athens toward University Terrace and Park Place. The Marching 110 — joined by alumni band members — will perform along the route, and the Alumni Association is hosting a free livestream for Bobcats who can’t make it back to campus.
After the parade, the Bobcat Family Tent takes over the Ping Recreation Center lawn from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with a DJ, cheer team performances, a photo booth, face painting, inflatables and a mechanical bull. A new tradition also debuts at 11:30 a.m.: the OHIO Homecoming Alumni Tailgate in TailGreat Park, bringing alumni from every college together before kickoff.
The day’s main event kicks off at 3:30 p.m. when the Bobcats take on Central Michigan at Peden Stadium on Frank Solich Field. Students are asked to wear white for the white-out theme while general fans don green. The week also featured traditions like the Yell Like Hell Pep Rally on Oct. 8. Game tickets and details are available through the university’s athletics site.
