Kick off the spring semester with a week of excitement and tradition! Enjoy banner and talent contests, bonfires and live performances - culminating in a lively tailgate where the Homecoming King, Queen and courts are crowned. Don't miss this unforgettable welcome back celebration!
Homecoming Week 2026
February 2-7, 2026
"Under the Blue & Gold Top"
Under the Blue & Gold Top, we celebrate Homecoming 2026!
The tent is up and the fun begins — competitions, spirit, and Lander pride all week long.
The tent is open, the lights are shining, and the greatest show on campus is ready to roll. Get ready for a week packed with spirit, competition, and all the fun of the circus — with that signature Lander pride.
Monday, February 2
Service Project Begins
Bear Necessities Food Drive
All Week
Medallion Hunt Begins
All Week
A campus-wide scavenger hunt! Follow @landerstudents on Instagram for daily clues, posted Monday–Friday between 8 AM and 3 PM. Find the hidden medallion and win points for your team.
Flag Decorating
Grier Student Center Commons | 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Teams will decorate their Homecoming flags using provided materials. Completed flags will be used throughout Homecoming week.
Banner Reveal & Opening Ceremony
Abney Cultural Center Auditorium | 7:00 p.m.
Start the week strong! Celebrate the official kickoff and see each team reveal their creative banners for this year’s theme.
Tuesday, February 3
Mr. & Mrs. Bearcat Vow Renewal
Back Lawn of Centennial Hall | 5:00 p.m.
Dodgeball Game
PEES Gym | 7:00 p.m.
Teams compete in a bracket-style dodgeball tournament. Fast-paced matches decide who moves on until one team takes the title.
Wednesday, February 4
Bring Your Own Big Wheels
Front Lawn | 5:00 p.m.
Teams may use one of the provided tricycles or bring their own big wheels to compete. All tricycles (provided or personal) may be decorated, as long as decorations are safe, secure, and do not affect functionality. Participants will race within their division for the fastest overall time.
Showcase
Finis Horne Arena | 8:00 p.m.
The spotlight is yours—bring the energy, the choreography, and the wow-factor!This high-spirited showcase lets teams shine while rallying the crowd for an unforgettable Homecoming moment.
*Required Dress Rehearsal will be Sunday, Feb. 1, in the PEES Gym.
Thursday, February 5
Trivia Night
Good Times Brewing | 7:30 p.m.
Join us at Good Times in Uptown for a night of trivia, teamwork, and friendly competition. Test your knowledge and see which team comes out on top!
HOMECOMING WEEKEND
Friday, February 6
Polar Plunge
Lander Outdoor Pool | 5:00 p.m.
Teams earn participation points by having members take a quick jump into the cold pool. It’s a fast, spirited event focused on fun and school spirit, with on-site safety guidelines in place.
Mascot Burn
Centennial Firepit | 8:00 p.m.
Teams close out the week with a spirited tradition! We will be symbolically burning North Georgia’s mascot to celebrate the end of the competition and rally together as we get ready to take on our Saturday basketball opponents.
Athletics Events
Saturday, February 7
Family Day
Lander Campus | 10:00 a.m.
Tailgating
Front Lawn | 10:00 a.m.
Please see the Tailgating tab for information and rules. Information can also be found in the Homecoming Packet.
Join us before the game for food, music, and community! Enjoy time with friends, show your Bearcat spirit, and get ready to cheer on Lander.
Homecoming Basketball Games
Finis Horne Arena
Come out to support our women’s and men’s basketball game as they go against North Georgia and find out who will be crowned the next Homecoming King & Queen.
Don’t miss the Homecoming winners and King & Queen coronation between games.
Stick around after the game to find out who gets to take home the title as our Bearcat Cup Winner!
Athletics Events
The Alumni Association is excited to welcome home all Lander University alumni for a fun weekend of Homecoming activities, socials and class reunion events.
HOMECOMING WEEKEND & ALUMNI REUNION
Friday, February 6
Alumni Awards Luncheon
New Residence Hall Multipurpose Room | 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate outstanding alumni who exemplify the spirit of Lander through their professional achievements and community involvement. Enjoy a delicious lunch, reconnect with classmates, and honor this year’s Alumni Award recipients.
Registration required
Alumni Golf
Greenwood Country Club | 10:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tee off with fellow alumni for an afternoon of friendly competition on one of Greenwood’s premier courses. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just looking to have fun, this event offers great prizes, camaraderie, and a beautiful day on the greens.
Campus Tour
New Residence Hall Multipurpose Room | 1:30 p.m.
See what’s new on campus! Join us for a guided tour highlighting recent renovations, new facilities, and favorite campus landmarks. It’s the perfect chance to relive old memories and see how Lander continues to grow.
Registration required
Alumni Golf Awards Ceremony
Sports Break (Greenwood) | 6:00 p.m.
Celebrate the winners of the day’s tournament at our post-golf awards ceremony! Relax with friends, enjoy refreshments, and share stories from the course.
Alumni Meet Up at Sports Break
Sports Break (Greenwood) | 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Cap off the day with live music, great food, and even better company! Reconnect with friends and fellow alumni while The Time Pirates keep the energy high with a lively performance you won’t want to miss.
Registration required.
Saturday, February 7
Welcome Donuts and Coffee
Alumni Taligate Tent | 9:00 a.m.
Start your game day off right with complimentary coffee, donuts, and conversation at the Alumni Tailgate Tent. It’s a great way to kick off a day full of Lander spirit!
Homecoming Tailgate Party
Lide Parking Lot #6 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Gather your friends, fire up the grill, and show your Lander pride! Enjoy food, music, and fun activities before the big game. All alumni, families, and friends are welcome to join in the festivities.
Lander Homecoming Basketball Games
Finis Horne Arena
Come cheer on the Bearcats men’s and women’s basketball teams as they clash on the court with North Georgia in Lander’s Homecoming Games! Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at halftimes.
Women's Softball vs. Catawba
Spears Field | 12:00 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $5 at the door (kids 12 & under FREE)
Women's Tennis vs. Mount Olive
Cabri Tennis Center | 1:00 p.m.
Men's Tennis vs. Mount Olive
Cabri Tennis Center | 1:00 p.m.
Men's Lacrosse vs. Coker
Taylor Stadium | 2:00 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $5 at the door (kids 12 & under FREE)
Karaoke & Cocktails: Lander Legacy Edition
NXT Door | 6:00-9 p.m.
Grab the mic for an evening of karaoke, laughter, and memories. Represent your decade with a throwback hit, sing your heart out to a timeless tune, or cheer on your friends as they take the stage. No matter your era, it’s all about fun, music, and Lander pride!
Registration required.
Legacy Lounge After-Party
Sports Break (Greenwood) | 9:00-11:00 p.m.
Keep the celebration going at the Legacy Lounge After-Party! Enjoy live performances by Dooley Harper and Fish Out of Water, reconnect with old friends, and close out the weekend in true Lander style.
Registration required.
You can find more alumni-related Homecoming information, including alumni event registration forms, recommended hotel accommodations and more through the Office of Alumni Affairs. Contact alumni@lander.edu or call 864-388-8351 with any questions.
Family Day will be celebrated as part of the Homecoming Weekend festivities. Come enjoy carnival themed activities, games, and fun for all ages under the Blue and Gold Top - plus special family-only activities, including our highly anticipated Dad Joke-Off!
A signature tradition of every Lander Homecoming is Saturday tailgating! It’s the perfect setting for pre-game activities, where alumni of all ages join with current students for great food and fellowship on the campus front lawn.
Participating groups, organizations and attendees are expected to follow these guidelines and procedures so that all guests can enjoy the Homecoming Tailgate Zone safely and responsibly.
All tailgating plans are subject to the university’s approval; these policies may be altered to ensure the safety of participants or for the protection of university property.
Who can participate in Homecoming?
Participation in Homecoming Week is open to:
Homecoming rules for each event, as well as general rules, are in the information packet. All participants are responsible for reading and abiding by all rules. The Department of Campus Engagement reserves the right to make any changes to the rules or this document at any time before, during, or after Homecoming week. If you should have any questions, please contact the Office of Campus Engagement at 864-388-8244 or via email at homecoming@lander.edu or studentlife@lander.edu.
Homecoming Packet
All event information, including schedules, rules, scoring, deadlines, and expectations, is outlined in the official Homecoming Packet.
View the 2026 Homecoming Packet
Team Registration
All teams must register to participate in Homecoming Week events.
Register Your Team: Homecoming Team Entry Form – Fill out form
Registration Deadline: Monday, January 26 at 11:59 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Homecoming Court: King & Queen
Students interested in running for Homecoming King or Queen must complete the Homecoming Court application.
Apply for Homecoming Court: Homecoming King & Queen Candidate Form – Fill out form
Application Deadline: Monday, January 26 at 11:59 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Bearcat Cup Winners - Gold Division
Phi Mu
Bearcat Cup Winners - Blue Division
Delta Sig