DU Homecoming is back! A week of campus energy, community celebration, and Crimson & Gold pride await students, alumni, families, faculty, staff, neighbors, and anyone who loves DU. From the opening burst of campus decorations on Monday to a community bonfire on Saturday, Homecoming 2026 is designed to bring DU together. 

Cheer on your reigning national champion Pioneers as they take on the Boston College Eagles in a premier college hockey rivalry. Lace up for the Crimson Classic 5K and stay for a sweet treat after the race. Reconnect with classmates at an alumni reunion. Explore campus on a themed tour. Or just show up in Crimson & Gold and soak it all in. 

Whatever brings you here, welcome home. 

Monday and Tuesday, October 19-20  |  Campus Kick-Off Begins 

The Hunt Begins: Capture the Flag
During Homecoming week, DU Homecoming flags will be hidden around campus. Students who find a flag can bring it to the Community Commons Front Desk to claim a cool prize and may keep the flag as a Homecoming keepsake.

Homecoming Kickoff with DUPB
Tuesday 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Beans
Come celebrate the beginning of Homecoming with DUPB and get a free drink at Beans. Register here.

The Crimson Curse: Haunted DU Tours
Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. (Four tours each night departing every 15 minutes. Each tour is roughly 45 minutes.)
Dare to discover DU after dark! For two nights during Homecoming you have an opportunity to step into the shadows and uncover the spooky side of DU. Join us for a chilling haunted tour filled with ghostly tales, campus legends, mysterious happenings, and maybe a few surprises along the way. The earlier tour of each day is family-friendly and spooky-fun, but as the night gets darker, things get creepier, scarier, and a whole lot more haunted. After braving the tour, warm up with an included cup of hot chocolate, tea. Come for the stories, stay for the scares, and whatever you do, don’t wander off alone! Register here.

Wednesday, October 21 | Well-Being Wednesday

The Future is First-Gen! Gallery Opening Reception
12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the CCOM Gallery (1101)
To be a first-generation student means balancing expectations, overcoming obstacles, and creating new possibilities for generations to come. Discover these powerful journeys at the First-Gen Gallery, running from October 21st to November 6th at DU. Don't miss our opening reception featuring live performances and an exclusive first look at the stories and communities that shape the first-gen experience. Learn more and register here.

Crimson Classic 5K / 1.5K  
Lace up and run with the DU community in the annual Crimson Classic. Open to students, alumni, faculty, staff, families, and neighbors — whether you’re racing to win or walking for fun, everyone is welcome at the starting line! 

1 p.m. Registration, check-in, t-shirt and bib pickup
2 p.m. Music, games, and vendors
3 p.m. Run/Walk begins! 
Find out more and register here.

Well-Being Resource Fair
2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. in CCOM 1600, 1700, and 1800
At DU, well-being is a core part of the 4D campus experience, and we are committed to supporting the wellness of students, faculty, and staff as part of DU's holistic Four-Dimensional (4D) Experience. Explore well-being resources on campus at our Well-Being Resource Fair! Swing by before or after the run and connect with campus and community health and wellness resources. Register here.

Sundaes on Wednesday Ice Cream Social  
5 p.m. on the CCOM East Patio (outside of 1600 or inside in case of weather) 
Stick around after the race and the Well-Being Resource Fair for Sundaes on Wednesday, a beloved DU tradition featuring ice cream, good company, and Homecoming spirit. This event is open to all! A limited number of free hockey tickets to Homecoming games will be available to students, first-come, first-served. This event is not to be missed. Register here.

Thursday, October 22

The State of the University
At 10 a.m., Chancellor Jeremy Haefner will deliver his annual State of the University address before an audience of trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community leaders. Please join us to hear about the future of DU. Stay tuned for more details on how to attend. 

Taste of Latin America (TOLA) 
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. in CCOM 1700 
The Brothers of the Unstoppable Upsilon Gamma Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta present the 15th Annual Taste of Latin America! Celebrate the beautiful rich cultures and flavors represented at DU through food from all over Latin America. Everyone is welcome to join for food and community.

Homecoming baseCAMPFIRES
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Basecamp
Enjoy the Homecoming edition of our weekly community campfire series at DU Outdoors' Basecamp. Look for the string lights, s'mores, fire pits, and camp chairs! Explore the newly opened Basecamp, DU's centralized outdoor gear rental hub and gateway to the Kennedy Mountain Campus experience. Enjoy campfire conversations, meet fellow outdoor enthusiasts, learn about upcoming DU Outdoors opportunities, and discover how Basecamp makes adventure more accessible through gear rentals, programs, and skill-building experiences. Learn more and register here.

Graduate Student Government Charity Gala
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in CCOM 1700
Graduate Student Government is excited to host our second charity gala benefiting the graduate student body. With a variety of food to fuel the night, we will host a raffle with prizes from local vendors across the Denver area. We look forward to hosting you for an incredible evening! Register here.

Friday, October 23  | Alumni Day + Hockey Night

Distinguished Alumni Awards Reception  
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. in The Welcome Center
Join us for the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards, presented by the DU Alumni Council.  Check back here for more information about this year's honorees in professional achievement, community impact, service to the university, and recent graduate achievement before heading over to the hockey game. Register here.

DU Hockey vs. Boston College  
7 p.m. at Magness Arena
Cheer on your reigning national champion Pioneers as they take on the Boston College Eagles at Magness Arena. This is Game 1 of a two-game Homecoming series against one of college hockey’s top programs. 

Saturday, October 24  | Signature Homecoming Day

Saturday is the signature day of Homecoming 2026. More details on the full Saturday experience are coming soon — check back here for the complete lineup. 

Executive MBA Reunion
Reconnect with your Executive MBA classmates, enjoy light refreshments, and kick off Homecoming weekend in the classroom with Daniels faculty leaders! EMBA alumni and their guests can purchase a special package that includes admission to the EMBA Back to Class conversation, the Homecoming Pregame Party, and a ticket to the DU Hockey game vs. Boston College at 6 p.m. For registration and more information, please contact Cody Sherrod at Cody.Sherrod@du.edu.

Homecoming Pregame Party  
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Burwell Center and Campus Green
Cap off Homecoming 2026 the right way! The whole community (that means alumni, students, families, neighbors, and DU friends and fans) is invited to the Burwell Center and Campus Green for our pregame party. Enjoy food and beverages, music, games, and family-friendly activities before cheering on DU Hockey as they take on Boston College. After the game, gather with the DU community for our inaugural Homecoming bonfire! Be part of a cherished Homecoming tradition that celebrates DU pride, connection and community! Fraternity and sorority alumni and their guests can receive discounted tickets to the event by contacting Yeji Mowrer at Yeji.Mowrer@du.edu for a promo code. FSL alumni will also have access to a dedicated gathering area within the event to celebrate their reunion. Register here.

DU Hockey vs. Boston College
6 p.m. at Magness Arena
Round two. Your Pioneers face off against Boston College again at Magness Arena for the final game of Homecoming weekend. This is the marquee game of the series. 

Homecoming Watch Party — CCOM 1700 
6 p.m. in CCOM 1700
Didn’t snag tickets to the big game? Come watch with us. Join your fellow Pioneers for a free on-campus watch party during the Saturday night game from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Everyone is invited! Register here.

More events are being added as details are confirmed. Bookmark this page and check back regularly — or sign up to get Homecoming updates delivered to your inbox.