It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year, and no, we’re not talking about Christmas; HBCU HOMECOMING SEASON IS HERE!
As a proud HBCU grad myself, I can tell you there’s truly nothing like homecoming. It’s part family reunion, part networking event, part fashion show, and one BIG trip down memory lane.
You never know who you’ll run into walking across the yard, at the tailgate, or at an alumni event. Old classmates reconnect, current students get to experience the traditions we once did, and alumni get to see just how much has changed since our days on campus.
And let’s be real, some of the best memories happen before we ever make it inside the football stadium.
From kicking it on the yard and catching the homecoming concert to tailgating with your crew and unexpectedly reuniting with somebody you haven’t seen since graduation, HBCU homecoming is an experience all its own.
So whether you’re heading back to your alma mater or planning an HBCU homecoming tour this fall, BOSSIP has you covered.
Grab your school colors, text the group chat, and start planning those road trips because here’s your guide to the 2026 HBCU homecoming season.
OCTOBER 10
SpelHouse Homecoming
Morehouse College + Spelman College
Atlanta, Georgia
Morehouse Homecoming Game: vs. Savannah State University
Albany State University
Albany, Georgia
vs. Lane College
Notable Concert Lineup: YFN Lucci, Trim, Pleasure P & YK Niece
Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland
vs. Robert Morris University
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina
vs. William & Mary
Alabama State University
Montgomery, Alabama
vs. Florida A&M University
Notable Concert Lineup: Yung Miami, Lil Tony, YK Niece & YFN Lucci
Delaware State University
Dover, Delaware
vs. Franklin Pierce University
Alcorn State University
Lorman, Mississippi
vs. Arkansas Baptist College
Texas Southern University
Houston, Texas
vs. Mississippi Valley State University
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, Virginia
vs. Virginia University of Lynchburg
Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia
vs. Livingstone College
Notable Concert Lineup: Latto, Yung Miami & Hunxho
OCTOBER 17
Howard University
Washington, D.C.
vs. Morehouse College
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, Georgia
vs. Allen University
Notable Concert Lineup: Trim, Belly Gang Kushington, Yung Miami & G Herbo
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee
vs. Morgan State University
Alabama A&M University
Huntsville, Alabama
vs. Grambling State University
Notable Concert Lineup: Lil Baby
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, Texas
vs. Alcorn State University
Jackson State University
Jackson, Mississippi
vs. Florida A&M University
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
vs. Alabama State University
Mississippi Valley State University
Itta Bena, Mississippi
vs. Bethune-Cookman University
Savannah State University
Savannah, Georgia
vs. Fort Valley State University
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina
vs. Elizabeth City State University
OCTOBER 24
Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia
vs. Monmouth University
Notable Concert Lineup: Trim, Jacquees, Big Boogie & Loe Shimmy
South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, South Carolina
vs. Norfolk State University
Florida A&M University
Tallahassee, Florida
vs. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Notable Concert Lineup: T.I., Gunna, Belly Gang Kushington & Summer Walker
Bowie State University
Bowie, Maryland
vs. Johnson C. Smith University
OCTOBER 31
North Carolina A&T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina
vs. Elon University
Notable Concert Lineup: Gunna, Yung Miami, KWN & Ella Mai
NOVEMBER 7
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, Alabama
vs. Miles College
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
vs. Fayetteville State University
No matter which school you rep, there’s nothing quite like being back on an HBCU campus during homecoming.
Come for the football. Stay for the tailgates, concerts, old friends, new connections, unexpected reunions and those moments that instantly take you back to your college days.
Because HBCU homecoming isn’t just an event. It’s a family reunion.
See y’all on the yard!
HOMECOMING FASHION: HBCU BRANDS TO GET YOU FRESH FOR THE YARD
Let’s be real, figuring out what you’re wearing to homecoming is almost as important as figuring out what events you’re attending.Homecoming fashion has become a moment of its own. We’re talking vintage HBCU tees, varsity jackets, custom pieces, matching sets and enough school colors to make the entire yard look like a fashion show.And these aren’t your basic campus bookstore fits either.Whether you’re looking for something to wear on the yard, to the tailgate or to one of the 47 functions your group chat somehow committed to, here are some HBCU apparel brands and collections to have on your radar this homecoming season.
Legacy History Pride
Legacy History Pride is for the alum who wants to rep their HBCU without sacrificing the fit. Think elevated collegiate pieces that can go from the yard to wherever the alumni are headed next.
HBCU Legacy Fashion
The name says it all. HBCU Legacy Fashion puts Black college culture front and center with apparel that lets alumni, students and future HBCU grads show their school pride.
Collegiate Luxe
For the HBCU grad who heard “school spirit” and immediately thought “but make it fashion.”
Collegiate Luxe gives collegiate apparel an elevated twist for anyone trying to serve more than a basic logo tee on the yard.
Black & Scholared
Black AND educated. That’s the flex.
Black & Scholared celebrates the HBCU experience through apparel made for students and alumni who want to wear their Black excellence proudly.
Brazen Apparel
If subtle school spirit isn’t really your ministry, Brazen Apparel has you covered with HBCU pieces made to stand out.
Your HBCU
Your HBCU is keeping school pride front and center with collegiate gear made specifically for the culture.
Because sometimes you don’t need to explain the fit. Just put the HBCU on it.
For The Fan
For The Fan is exactly that: gear for the folks showing up and showing OUT for their school.
Whether you’re an alum, student or lifelong supporter, these pieces make it easy to bring school spirit straight to the tailgate.
DC Apparel
Another brand putting a fresh spin on collegiate pride, DC Apparel offers pieces worth adding to the homecoming rotation.
Mihora Kustoms
The custom girlies need homecoming fits too!
Mihora Kustoms brings a personalized feel to HBCU fashion for those who want something that doesn’t look like everybody else’s outfit on the yard.
315 Collective
315 Collective is another name to know when putting together your homecoming wardrobe, bringing its own take on collegiate style and school pride.
Soleil By SC
School spirit can be cute too!
Soleil By SC offers another option for turning HBCU pride into a full look instead of just throwing on a school T-shirt and calling it a day.
1921 Movement HBCU
1921 Movement HBCU puts history and HBCU pride at the center of its pieces, giving alumni another way to represent the institutions and traditions that shaped them.
Black Renaissance Shop
Rounding out our homecoming shopping list is Black Renaissance Shop, with pieces celebrating Black culture, education and collegiate pride.
So whether your homecoming aesthetic is vintage, varsity, custom, preppy or full-on fashion girl, there’s no excuse for showing up to the yard without the proper fit.
Just remember: comfortable shoes.
Because looking cute is important, but surviving the yard, tailgate AND day party is the real homecoming challenge.
HOMECOMING PARTIES: WHERE THE ALUMNI WILL BE OUTSIDE
The football game might be the official reason everybody comes back to town, but we all know homecoming doesn’t end when the clock hits zero.
Half the battle is figuring out where your classmates are going to be AFTER you leave the yard.
From day parties and brunches to alumni kickbacks that have become homecoming traditions of their own, there’s no shortage of places to reconnect, network and party with your people.
And because the function you choose definitely depends on what year you graduated, we’ve got a little something for everybody.
Clark Atlanta University: 21+ Alumni
Calling all Panthers!
For CAU’s younger alumni crowd looking to reconnect with classmates and get outside during homecoming weekend, add this 21+ event to the itinerary.
Clark Atlanta University: 30+ Alumni
Now for the grown Panthers!
CAU’s 30+ crowd has its own homecoming function, giving alumni a place to reconnect with familiar faces without wondering if everybody else in the room graduated five minutes ago.
SpelHouse: Olive Branch Alumni Edition
SpelHouse Homecoming in Atlanta means there are approximately 97 places somebody wants you to be at the same time.
One of them is the Olive Branch Alumni Edition Day Party, bringing Spelman and Morehouse alumni together for another round of homecoming festivities.
Jackson State University
Tiger Nation, this one’s for you.
Jackson State alumni heading back to Mississippi can add this one to the itinerary for another chance to reconnect, party and make a few more homecoming memories off the yard.
Hampton University: Homecoming By The Sea
Pirates, prepare to be outside!
Homecoming By The Sea brings Hampton alumni and friends together for a full weekend of events in the 757, making it one of the homecoming experiences to have on your radar.
Howard University: Alumni VIP Day Party
The Mecca knows how to do homecoming.
Howard’s Alumni VIP Day Party takes over Blackburn Ballroom on Saturday, October 17, giving Bison a place to eat, dance, network and inevitably run into somebody they haven’t seen since graduation.
The party runs from noon to 4 p.m., which means there’s plenty of time to make another function afterward. Because this IS Howard Homecoming.
Howard University: Young Alumni Brunch
After a full weekend of being outside, Sunday brunch is basically mandatory.
Howard’s Young Alumni Brunch takes place Sunday, October 18, at The LINE Hotel, bringing younger Bison together for food, music, networking and one final homecoming link-up before everybody heads home.
And let’s be honest, brunch is also where the weekend recap happens.
Tuskegee University: Under The Shed
Golden Tigers know what’s up!
Under The Shed brings Tuskegee alumni together during homecoming weekend for music, memories and another chance to kick it with the TU family.
Whether you’re 21+, 30+, looking for the day party, headed to brunch or just trying to figure out where everybody from your graduating class disappeared to after the tailgate, there’s a homecoming function with your name on it.
Just make sure the group chat agrees on the itinerary BEFORE everybody touches down.
Because “where are y’all?” might as well be the official slogan of HBCU homecoming weekend.
