Western Illinois University will celebrate Homecoming 2026 with a full week of events on campus and across the Macomb area from Monday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 25. This year's theme is "The Greatest Show on Earth."
The university says students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members will have numerous opportunities to get involved. Events are hosted by student organizations, university initiatives and WIU Athletics.
"Homecoming is a celebration of what it means to be a Leatherneck and the connections made that often last a lifetime," WIU President Kristi Mindrup said. "As a WIU alumna, I look forward to welcoming our alumni home as we join together with our students, faculty, staff and community to celebrate our traditions, opportunities and sense of belonging that make WIU special."
Schedule of events
Monday, Oct. 19
- Paint the Town — 2:30-5 p.m., Macomb Downtown Square
- Ritmo y Ruedas (Rhythm & Skate) — 6:30-8:30 p.m., Horrabin Gym
Tuesday, Oct. 20
- Paint the Paws — 11 a.m.-1 p.m., outside Western Hall
- Town & Gown — 5:30-7:30 p.m., Park Place
- Big Pink Volleyball — 5:30-8 p.m., Campus Recreation, MAC Gym
Wednesday, Oct. 21
- Kultural Fusion — 6-8 p.m., Multicultural Center
Thursday, Oct. 22
- Flag Football Intramural Championship Game — 7:30-9 p.m., Hanson Field
- Magic Rocks! — Illusionist Leon Etienne — 7:30-10 p.m., Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts
Friday, Oct. 23
- Make a Difference Day — 11 a.m.-2 p.m., LaMoine Room
- Alumni Happy Hour — 5-7 p.m., Alumni House
- Bonfire Bash — 7-9 p.m., N-Lot/The Pitt Parking Lot
Saturday, Oct. 24
- Alumni Reunion Recognition Brunch & Social — 8:30 a.m., Alumni House
- All-Alumni Breakfast — 9:30 a.m., Alumni House
- Homecoming Parade — 10:30 a.m., Macomb Downtown Square & Alumni House
- Alumni Cookout — noon-3 p.m., Q-Lot Alumni Tent
- GBCC Tailgate — noon-4 p.m., Q-Lot
- Leatherneck Football vs. UT Martin — 3 p.m., Hanson Field
- WestFest Concert: Homecoming Edition — 7 p.m., Grand Ballroom
Sunday, Oct. 25
- Women's Soccer vs. Morehead State — 1 p.m., John Mackenzie Alumni Field
Door decorating and Homecoming Royalty
Faculty and staff are invited to join COAP and CSEC for a Door Decorating Competition to kick off Homecoming 2026. All are encouraged to decorate their office doors to show school spirit. To enter a door, sign up at go.wiu.edu/3VAwp5O.
The university is also inviting the community to the Royalty Homecoming tradition of crowning the 2026 Homecoming Nobility. Students are scored on their application, an interview with judges and a student body vote. The top two students with the most points will be named the 2026 Homecoming Royalty, regardless of gender identity.
For more information, visit wiu.edu/homecoming.
Background
Western Illinois University is a public university in Macomb whose athletic teams are known as the Leathernecks. According to the university's traditions page, WIU is the only public school in the U.S. with permission to use the "Fighting Leathernecks" nickname, a tie to the U.S. Marine Corps dating to 1927, with the English bulldog mascot Rocky.
Source: the original release