Beginning with the annual Roll Tide Run and concluding with the crowning of the homecoming queen during halftime of the homecoming football game, with celebrations, events and competitions in between, UA’s homecoming week welcomes students, alumni and fans to campus with a week’s worth of fun and excitement. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s homecoming.
1. A long history, rich in tradition.
UA’s first homecoming game was played against LSU over a century ago on Nov. 11, 1920, just two years after the end of World War I. The event was organized as an Armistice Day celebration. And historic photographs preserved by the Paul W. Bryant Museum show homecoming bonfires occurring as far back as 1949, making it one of UA’s longest-standing traditions.
2. One Tide. Endless Tradition. Forever on the Rise.
Everyone loves the Crimson Tide football team. But dominance on the gridiron is just one part of UA’s story. The University of Alabama is filled with traditions to enjoy, from the “Yea, Alabama!” fight song to Tapping on the Mound. And as the Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign — the most successful capital campaign in the history of the state — draws to a close, UA looks toward tomorrow as a future-ready flagship. The 2026 homecoming theme, “One Tide. Endless Tradition. Forever on the Rise,” celebrates the traditions of the past and present as well as new challenges to rise to in the future.
3. More than competitions.
Sure, homecoming is about showing school spirit. While the Tide prepares to battle Texas A&M on the football field, students can compete in events ranging from bowling to lawn decoration, from trivia to choreography. But for those who simply want to enjoy the week, there are plenty of noncompetitive events for students and community members, including a pep rally, a bonfire and of course, the homecoming parade.
4. Students bring it home.
Each spring, passionate student volunteers are selected for a student board and work for months to make UA’s homecoming vision a reality. From communicating with campus partner and community vendors to coordinating the competition elements of the week, board members take on responsibility for all aspects of homecoming week. Students can also volunteer for the homecoming committee, comprised of around 75 students who serve as event support throughout the week.
5. One homecoming. Two divisions.
When they think of the homecoming spirit competition, most people think of the Crimson Division, home of sororities, fraternities and other large student organizations. But there is another homecoming division — the Tide Division — which allows smaller organizations, even friend groups, to compete in homecoming events at low cost. You don’t even have to be a student organization. Got a few friends and a few bucks? You can create a parade float, compete in lawn games or trivia or many other homecoming events, and who knows? You might even win!