Cullowhee, N.C. – The sights, sounds, and traditions of Homecoming return to Cullowhee this week as Western Carolina University welcomes alumni, students, families, and friends back to campus for Homecoming 2026.
From an on-campus carnival and the Homecoming Parade through downtown Sylva to festivities across campus and a packed Saturday afternoon at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field, the week serves as a celebration of everything that makes Catamount Country special. Whether reconnecting with former classmates, reliving favorite memories, or creating new traditions, Homecoming remains one of Western Carolina's most anticipated weeks of the year.
The week-long festivities, which include a carnival on the Central Plaza and several home sporting events, culminate Saturday with the annual Homecoming football game and the crowning of Catamount Nobility.
Click here for more Homecoming 2026 information.
Last season, more than 14,500 fans returned to Cullowhee for an unforgettable Homecoming thriller. This year promises another memorable atmosphere as the Catamounts begin their stretch run against the Mocs while looking to remain unbeaten at home.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets and game-day parking in advance at CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets.
Saturday's football matchup features two of the Southern Conference's most competitive programs over the past several seasons. Western Carolina has won four consecutive meetings against Chattanooga, matching the longest win streak in series history, though each of the last four contests has been decided by a single possession and a combined 16 points.
The Catamounts enter Homecoming unbeaten at E.J. Whitmire Stadium this season, where Catamount Nation has helped create one of the top game-day environments in the FCS.
Western Carolina enters Homecoming ranked 17th nationally in average home attendance and leads the Southern Conference with 11,479 fans per game. Three electric home victories, including the 10th-largest crowd in facility history and a top-10 triumph over Tennessee Tech, Cullowhee continues to be one of the toughest venues in the league.
As Western Carolina welcomes home alumni and friends, several Catamount teams are also slated to host alumni weekends as part of Homecoming 2026. Catamount baseball, women's basketball, and volleyball will each welcome their program alumni back to campus.
Whether you're returning to campus for the first time in years or making Homecoming an annual tradition, Catamount Country offers something for everyone this week. From athletic competition and student activities to reunions and community celebrations, Homecoming 2026 is an opportunity to reconnect with Western Carolina and celebrate all things purple and gold.
Here's a list of on-campus activities for Catamount Athletics this Homecoming Week:
Monday, Oct. 19:
Catamount Football Weekly – Catamount Jaxe (114 Market St., Cullowhee), 6 pm
Join us LIVE on location at Catamount Jaxe for our weekly coaches show, "Catamount Football Weekly with head coach
Kerwin Bell," presented by Stanberry Insurance. We'll reflect on the team's bye week and look ahead to a full week of Homecoming activities ahead of the football game vs. Chattanooga.
Pat's Big Back BBQ is scheduled to be on hand for the weekly show.
WATCH LIVE
Tuesday, Oct. 20:
Catamount baseball vs. Ontario Astros – Childress Field / Hennon Stadium, 4 pm
WCU plays its fourth fall game on Tuesday afternoon on campus with a 4 p.m. start at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium, hosting the traveling all-star team from Canada. Admission is free for the event.
Thursday, Oct. 22:
Catamount volleyball vs. Mercer – Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center, 6 pm
Western Carolina returns home in league action, hosting Mercer in the front-end of a SoCon back-to-back. Thursday's match has been billed as "Pajama Night." The Catamounts look to build off last Saturday's road sweep of Chattanooga. Admission to Thursday's match is free, and it will also be streamed live on ESPN+ (
paid subscription required).
Friday – Oct. 23:
Catamount volleyball vs. Mercer – Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center, 6 pm
WCU and Mercer play the backend of the two-game home set on Ingles Court. Admission for the second of the two meetings is also free of charge.
Catamount women's soccer vs. Mercer – Catamount Athletic Complex, 7 pm
Western Carolina returns home to the friendly confines of the Catamount Athletic Complex for a Homecoming Friday night meeting with league-rival Mercer, hosting the Bears under the lights with a 7 p.m. kickoff. With three matches remaining in the 2026 regular season schedule and nine points still up for grabs for WCU in the SoCon standings, each match is paramount for postseason seeding. Admission to Friday's match is free, and it will also be streamed live on ESPN+ (
paid subscription required).
Saturday, Oct. 24:
Catamount football vs. Chattanooga – Whitmire Stadium / Waters Field, 2:30 pm
Both Western Carolina and Chattanooga return after a bye week, meeting in Cullowhee for the annual Homecoming game at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. The Catamounts play their fourth league game against teams currently in the top half of the SoCon standings, looking to stay unbeaten in #CatamountCountry this season! Saturday's "Ingles SoCon Game of the Week" will be broadcast on the Nexstar family of stations, and simulcast on ESPN+ (
paid subscription required).
BUY TICKETS NOW
Complete listing of WCU's Homecoming 2026 events:
For the latest news, scores, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content, follow Catamount football and WCU Athletics on Facebook (
FB.com/CatamountSports;
FB.com/westerncarolinafootball;
FB.com/CatamountSportsNetwork) and X (@Catamounts, @CatamountsFB).
