Mary Wash Eagles Return to the Nest for Homecoming
The beloved fall tradition that gathers Eagles with bonfires, tailgates, NCAA Division III games and more is back!
The University of Mary Washington hosts Homecoming 2026 on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24, welcoming generations of alumni, along with their families and friends, back to campus. Whether members of the Fredericksburg community or visitors from farther afield, all are invited to join. Students can also show their school spirit and participate in the many activities stacked throughout the week.
The Office of Alumni Engagement and the Department of Athletics have teamed up to sponsor a Homecoming weekend filled with food, games and camaraderie. The Young Alumni Eagle Crawl kicks off the celebration Friday with an evening of food and drink specials in downtown Fredericksburg. The festivities continue Saturday with a lineup of athletic events.
Saturday’s Homecoming games, which are free to attend, include men’s rugby, men’s and women’s soccer and field hockey. The day also features a Pregame Brunch with a buffet and bottomless Bloody Mary bar, as well as an Athletics Tailgate and Alumni Beer Garden with pizza, prizes and beverages. For the full schedule of events, including ticketing and registration information for individual activities, visit the UMW Homecoming website.
“My favorite part of Homecoming is seeing our alumni return to campus, reconnect with former classmates and teammates, and celebrate their shared Mary Washington experiences,” said Athletics Director Patrick Catullo ’95. “It’s especially rewarding to see alumni support our current student-athletes and represent the University.”
UMW’s Campus Programming Board has ensured that current students can join in the fun, too. During the week, the beloved Bingo games return, while Crafternoons give students an opportunity to get into the Homecoming spirit with pennant and poster making and claw-clip decorating. After an afternoon of glitter and glue, students can head to The Underground for karaoke, complete with a mocktail station. The lineup wraps up with Trivia Night, where students can enjoy the food of champions – chicken wings – as they test their Mary Washington knowledge.
Friday marks the official start of Homecoming weekend with a Spirit Station, where students can pick up free swag and take photos with Sammy D. Eagle, and the Big Ash Bonfire, where they can warm up with cozy treats. On Homecoming Day, current Eagles can join the tailgating fun at a special Student Fan Zone on the Battleground.
And for anyone looking to get into the competitive Homecoming spirit away from the athletic fields, UMW’s Center for AI and the Liberal Arts is partnering with the AI Collective for a Hack for Humanity event in the Digital Auditorium, located in the Hurley Convergence Center. Teams will build artificial intelligence applications designed to address community issues as they compete for prizes during the daylong digital marathon. Registration is free and open to all, but limited to 50 participants.
From sports to spirits to spectacular student programming, Homecoming 2026 promises to be a celebration to remember.
“This tradition continues to evolve and grow,” said Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement and UMW Foundation Executive Director Katie Turcotte. “It’s a great time for the entire community to come out and support our student-athletes, who are having amazing seasons this year!”
For more details and a complete listing of what’s on tap for Homecoming 2026, visit UMWEagles.com.
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