For some Monarchs, Homecoming 2026 will be their first.
For others, it will be a return to the campus where they made friendships, found their footing and created memories that have lasted long after graduation.
From Oct. 25 through Nov. 1, those generations will come together at Old Dominion University for eight days of celebration, with a lineup that includes DaBaby and Friends at Chartway Arena, Big Blue’s Boardwalk and fireworks at Whitehurst Beach, alumni celebrations and a Homecoming Saturday matchup against Marshall at S.B. Ballard Stadium.
Along the way, students will paint crowns on Kaufman Mall, the Lion Fountain will turn blue and Monarchs will come together not only to celebrate ODU, but also to give back to the community.
“Homecoming is one of those special times when you can really see the full Monarch community come together,” said Krista Harrell (B.S. ’01, M.S.Ed. ’03, Ph.D. ’12), associate vice president for the Office of Alumni Relations. “You have students who are just beginning to discover what it means to be part of ODU alongside alumni who may have graduated decades ago. Their experiences are different, but that connection to ODU is something they share.”
A Week of Monarch Spirit
Homecoming begins Oct. 25 with Strollfest at Brock Commons before campus starts turning blue the following day. Paint the Town Blue will bring Homecoming spirit to residence halls and campus buildings, followed by the Homecoming Kickoff and the annual tradition of turning the Lion Fountain blue.
Students will leave their own mark on campus during Claim Your Crown, painting crowns on Kaufman Mall, before Meet the Monarchy introduces the 2026 Homecoming Royalty Court.
Then the volume goes up.
DaBaby and Friends will take the stage at Chartway Arena Wednesday night for the annual Homecoming Concert, one of the week’s signature events.
By Thursday, the celebration begins to span generations as more alumni make their way back to campus. Monarch Day will bring activities and food to Kaufman Mall before the ODU Alumni Association turns the spotlight on some of the University’s most accomplished graduates and supporters.
The annual ODU Alumni Honors Celebration will take place Thursday evening, Oct. 29, at Chartway Arena, recognizing distinguished alumni and friends whose professional achievements, leadership and service have brought distinction to ODU and their communities. Honors include the Distinguished Alumni Award, Honorary Alumni recognition and the Roger L. “Jack” Frost ’61 Alumni Service Award.
Friday brings together two other important parts of the Homecoming experience: service and celebration.
The University community will mark the finale of Monarchs Give Back, ODU’s annual food drive led by First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Ph.D., benefiting Norfolk Public Schools students and the Monarch Pantry. This year’s goal of collecting 150,000 non-perishable items will be celebrated at Chartway Arena from 3 to 4 p.m.
Alumni will have another opportunity to serve Sunday, when Civil and Environmental Engineering graduates participate in a cleanup along Colley Bay.
Those efforts extend the spirit of Homecoming beyond campus, giving Monarchs another way to come together while supporting the community.
Friday evening, the focus turns to Whitehurst Beach, where Big Blue’s Boardwalk will bring students and alumni together for carnival-style attractions, food trucks and fireworks. The Black Alumni Chapter will also host its annual social in downtown Norfolk, with proceeds benefiting the Ronald L. Horne Scholarship Fund.
Homecoming Saturday
The energy of Homecoming week will build toward Oct. 31, when students, alumni, families and fans fill campus for a full day of traditions and ODU football.
The Spirit Walk will help kick off game-day festivities, followed by gatherings including the Alumni Tailgate and NPHC Reunion Tailgate as Monarchs make their way toward S.B. Ballard Stadium.
There, ODU football will take on Marshall in the centerpiece of Homecoming Saturday, bringing generations of Monarchs together in the stands to cheer on the home team.
Homecoming traditions will continue inside the stadium. At halftime, the 2026 Homecoming Royalty winners will be presented and crowned, adding another group of students to a tradition they may one day return to campus to celebrate as alumni.
The weekend concludes Sunday with the Black Alumni Chapter Brunch, an annual event supporting the Ronald L. Horne Scholarship Fund, along with the Civil and Environmental Engineering alumni service project.
For Dr. Harrell, who earned three degrees from ODU before going on to help lead the University’s alumni engagement efforts, Homecoming is a reminder that the relationship between Monarchs and ODU continues long after commencement.
“We talk about welcoming our alumni home, but Homecoming also reminds us that being a Monarch doesn’t end when you graduate,” Dr. Harrell said. “The relationships, the traditions and the sense of belonging stay with you. No matter how much time has passed, there is always a place for you in the Monarch community.”
A complete schedule of Homecoming 2026 activities, including event times, ticket information and registration details, is available on the ODU Homecoming website.