Homecoming is here
Mark your calendar for Homecoming 2026
Homecoming parade
Friday, October 30
5:30 p.m.
Parade returns to Kirkwood with a route starting on Washington Street and ending at Sample Gates
Homecoming Huddle and football game
Minnesota @ Indiana
Saturday, October 31
Game time TBD; huddle begins three hours before kickoff
Bloomington celebrations
Homecoming parade
Homecoming weekend kicks off with a Friday evening procession of IU student groups and local community organizations.
Homecoming Huddle
The annual tailgate for tried-and-true IU fans features local food, drink, entertainment, and a sea of Cream and Crimson!
Homecoming football game
Cheer the Hoosiers to victory over the Golden Gophers of Minnesota.
Hoosier week
The Student Alumni Association brings the spirit, hosting several events the week of Homecoming.
More Homecoming happenings
From alumni reunions to award ceremonies, the IU Bloomington campus is bustling the week of Homecoming.
Hotel information
Looking for a place to stay Homecoming weekend? Visit Bloomington has suggestions.
Bring the Homecoming fun home
Football download kit
Liven up your gameday get-together with printable IU décor, photo props, and more.
Hoosier's Adventures
Hoosier the Bison is ready to join all your gameday adventures!
Virtual backgrounds
Bring IU spirit to your online meetings—choose your favorite football background image.
Homecoming FAQs
With a full schedule of events, questions are sure to arise. We’ve got answers—and tips to make the most of the weekend.
The parade will start at 5:30 p.m. EDT at Kirkwood & Washington, head east on Kirkwood, and end at Sample Gates. Kick off the weekend with this iconic, family-friendly event!
Parking on campus and in Bloomington can be a breeze when you know what to expect; however, things might get a little tricky during Homecoming weekend.
We encourage spectators to carpool and park in one of the many downtown Bloomington parking garages. For participants, the 4th Street and Walnut Street garages are closest to the staging area. Free parking is also available in IU parking lots after 5 p.m. View a campus map and get additional info.
Parking pro tips:
- Steer clear of spots that say “24-hour tow away” on campus.
- Parking is free in most IU parking garages all day Saturday and Sunday. However, on Saturday, you will have to pay to park in the Kelley School of Business and Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering garages.
- Cars parked overnight Friday in a Memorial Stadium lot will be ticketed and towed.
The parking lots around Memorial Stadium and the grass tailgating fields open a minimum of five hours prior to kickoff. Traffic to Bloomington and around town will be heavy, so allow plenty of time to get here.
We strongly advise purchasing parking and tailgating passes in advance on the IU Athletics website or by calling the IU Athletics ticket office at 812-855-4006.
Don’t forget: Large tents, glass bottles, and kegs are not permitted. Read the tailgating and game-day policies.
Gather two and a half hours before kickoff on the east side of Memorial Stadium to enjoy the game day rally before high-fiving the Indiana football players and coaches during their pregame walk led by the Marching Hundred, cheerleaders, and RedSteppers!
Stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Make sure you are in your seats when the famed 300-member Marching Hundred takes the field for their pregame band show, complete with marching precision and musical brilliance. The RedSteppers dance team also adds an element of sparkle with show-stopping routines and dazzling high kicks!
IU Athletics follows a clear bag policy, which is similar to other collegiate venues and NFL stadiums. Learn more about bag guidelines and restrictions.
Want to relive past Homecomings?
A special thank you to:
