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Homecoming will kick off with Paint the Town from 2:30- 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 19, in the Macomb Downtown Square.
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Look at our amazing Marching Leathernecks!
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The Greatest Show on Earth: Homecoming 2026

October 13, 2026

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MACOMB, IL — Western Illinois University is ready to welcome "The Greatest Show on Earth" with Homecoming 2026 and a week full of events. From Monday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 25, students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members will have numerous opportunities to get involved and celebrate Homecoming.

"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."

Many exciting events will take place on campus and throughout the Macomb area during Homecoming week. With events hosted by student organizations, university initiatives and WIU Athletics, there are opportunities for everyone to join in the celebration.

This year's Homecoming Week festivities include:

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

Faculty and staff are invited to join COAP and CSEC for a Door Decorating Competition to kick off Homecoming 2026 with school spirit in your office. All are encouraged to decorate your office door to show your excitement and enthusiasm for WIU. To enter your door, sign up at go.wiu.edu/3VAwp5O.

All are encouraged to come celebrate the Royalty Homecoming tradition of crowning the 2026 Homecoming Nobility. Students will be scored based on their application, interview with judges and student body vote. The top two students who achieve the most points based on the three categories will be determined to be the 2026 Homecoming Royalty, regardless of the student's gender identity.

For more information about Homecoming, visit wiu.edu/homecoming.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing