Cullowhee, N.C. – Greeted by the hues of autumn and the roar from the best gameday atmosphere in the league, Catamount football returns to E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field on Saturday for the centerpiece of Western Carolina’s Homecoming 2026 festivities, hosting Southern Conference rival Chattanooga.

Kickoff is scheduled for just after 2:30 p.m. as the Catamounts open their stretch run in Southern Conference play that includes three of their final five games in #CatamountCountry.

Western Carolina and Chattanooga collide Saturday afternoon, both rested and rejuvenated after coming off their respective bye weeks. The Catamounts are unbeaten in three tries at home this season, while the Mocs have won three of their last four heading into the weekend.

Tickets and limited game day parking are going fast ahead of Saturday’s Homecoming game. Purchasing both in advance is highly advised.

Saturday’s game will be broadcast across the Nexstar family of stations as the “Ingles SoCon Game of the Week” television package, with a simulcast available on ESPN+ (paidsubscription required). Pete Yanity, Jay Sonnhalter, and Dave Friedman are on the call.

Clearances for Saturday's game include Local 62 WYCW-TV across Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, S.C., and Asheville; WCCB (18.1; Ch. 18 on DirecTV and Dish; Ch. 11 and 1212 on Spectrum) in Charlotte, N.C.; WUXP (MyTV30) in Nashville, Tenn.; WTTO (The 205; Ch. 28) in Birmingham, Ala.; EFLI (The CW Chattanooga; Ch. 53) in Chattanooga, Tenn.; and WCIV (MyNetworkTV, Ch. 36) in Charleston, S.C.

Live audio coverage from the Catamount Sports Network begins at 1:30 p.m. with the Pepsi Tailgate Show across five affiliates and six frequencies, with streaming audio available at CatamountSports.com.

Here are the "Things You Need to Know Before You Go" ahead of Saturday's Homecoming game against Chattanooga.

 Catamount Gameday Timeline Basics (Sat., Oct. 24)

• All on-campus parking lots open at 8 a.m.
• Grattan Family Gate (formerly Gate 1) Ticket Booth opens at 10 a.m. for ticket sales and Will Call pickup
• Tailgating officially begins at 11 a.m. (when alcohol consumption is permitted)
  • 3.5 hours ahead of kickoff, according to University Policy 103
• Ticket Booths at Gates 2, 3, & 4 all open at Noon
• On-campus pregame "CatWalk" for the WCU football team begins at 12:05 p.m.
• Stadium Gates open for all admission at 1 p.m., 90 minutes before kickoff
  • WCU Students – note that Gate 2 is now the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band entrance; Western Carolina students should enter at Gate 3
• The Catamount "Spirit March" to the stadium begins at 1:30 p.m.
• Kickoff is at 2:32 p.m. on Nexstar, ESPN+, and the Catamount Sports Network (1:30 p.m. airtime)

Saturday, Oct. 24 – Game Day Promotions:  

• HOMECOMING '26  – Western Carolina welcomes home its alumni and friends with a week-long series of activities, including the annual Homecoming Parade in downtown Sylva (Friday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m.) and the annual Homecoming football game … WCU will also crown its 2026 Homecoming Nobility at halftime of Saturday's game;
• Game Sponsor – Harris Regional & Swain Community Hospital
• Media Partner – Smoky Mountain News
• Catamount Club Greek Challenge Winners – The winners of this year's annual Greek Challenge fundraising competition through the Catamount Club will be announced on Saturday.
• "The Herd" Reunion – As WCU welcomes home its alumni from all generations, a special group of former Catamount student-athletes, nicknamed "the Herd," because of their pack mentality of  moving throughout campus during their collegiate careers, will gather in the PurpleZone for a pregame tailgate;
• Catamount Athletics - Sports Team Reunions – Western Carolina welcomes back alumni from baseball, men's and women's basketball, track & field, and volleyball for special pregame tailgates … Interact with Catamount stars from the past with these special alumni tailgates.

THE CATAMOUNT CLUB: 

• The Purple Zone (pregame only; requires RSVP): Located on the Ramsey Center Patio – is open from Noon until 2:00 p.m. to qualifying Catamount Club members; 
• Paws Porch & Champion Credit Union Corner (requires a game ticket and appropriate credential): Located on the patio of the Jordan Phillips Field House; doors open at 1 p.m. when stadium gates open.

ON GAME DAY: 

• WCU Athletic Ticket Office: (828) 227-2401 – phone lines open at 9 a.m. until Noon for ticket information and phone orders ONLY – NO WALK-UP SALES through the Ramsey Center Ticket Office; 
• Grattan Family Gate (Gate 1) Ticket Sales on the West Side of the stadium open at 10 a.m. for walk-up sales and for Will Call pickup 
• Ticket sales at all other gates begin at Noon at Gates 2, 3, and 4; 
• All stadium gates open to the public at 1:00 p.m. ... Gate 6 for Player Pass also opens at 1:00 p.m. when the stadium gates are opened;

WILL CALL: 

• Please remember to bring proper photo identification to pick up tickets at WCU's Will Call; 
• Main Will Call for picking up purchased tickets or tickets being left for pick-up is at the ticket booth at the Grattan Family Gate (formerly Gate 1); however, fans can receive Will Call at any entrance gate ticket booth; 
• WCU Football Player's Guest, as well as Dance/Cheer guests, will utilize Gate 6 ... Those who are on the player pass list must show a photo ID to pick up tickets ... Player Pass Will Call does not open until 1:00 p.m. when the stadium gates are open; 
• Visiting Team Will Call (for Chattanooga) is at GATE 5 on the upper level of the East Side stands … this will allow easier access to those assigned seats in the designated visiting team seating areas;
• WCU Football Recruits: Go to Gate 6 starting at 10:45 a.m. 
• Additional WCU Recruits: Follow the instructions from your recruiting coaching staff – otherwise, that will call is also located at Gate 6. 
• High School Coaches: Present valid ID card to any ticket booth and receive up to TWO free admission tickets ... Pick up tickets from any ticket booth -- NOT the school's player pass location.

TICKET PRICES (purchase in advance online): 

• Chair Back Reserved: Adult $38 Youth (Ages 3-12) $28 – Sections DD, JJ, KK, LL;
• Bench Back Reserved: Adult $33, Youth (Ages 3-12) $23 Sections JJ, MM
• Bleacher Reserved: Adult $33, Youth (Ages 3-12) $23 Sections D, E, F, J, K, L, M, N
• General Admission: Gameday $23 Adults and $18 for Youth (Ages 3-12) G, GG
• Full-time WCU students: FREE with Cat Card
• WCU Student Guest: $13 (WCU students can purchase two guest tickets and sit in the WCU student section; note that there is a $5 service charge on student guest tickets purchased with credit cards)
• Children 2 and under do not need a ticket.

 NOTE - there is a transaction fee charged on each ticket when using a credit card 

PLAYER PASS / HIGH SCHOOL COACHES:

• Player pass is located near Gate 6;
• Those who are on the player pass list must show a photo ID to pick up their tickets … Once player pass tickets are picked up, the individual MUST enter the game;
• High school coaches can pick up their two (2) complimentary tickets from any ticket booth - not at the player pass entrance;

CATAMOUNT MERCHANDISE: 

• The Catamount Store will have merchandise stands on both the east (behind Section GG near Gate 4) and west side (main concourse) of the stadium for the purchase of Catamount merchandise;
• The Catamount Store will also have a stand outside Gate 6 on game days;
• The main WCU Bookstore (311 Memorial Drive, between the Campus Rec Center and Hinds University Center) will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fans can also purchase online by visiting books.wcu.edu. 

Other Helpful Game Day Hints: 

• Arrive early to avoid long lines entering Whitmire Stadium ... Also, numerous gates allow entry to the stadium – familiarize yourself with the best gates to get you to your seats for all the pregame festivities … Those with tickets for the West Side (Western Skybox), please consider entering the stadium on the West Side, and vice versa for those with tickets on the East Side;
• Be sure to enjoy a variety of traditional stadium fare at the Catamount Dining concession stands, proudly serving ice-cold Pepsi products, Cherokee Canned Water, and Gatorade – or other vendors include:
  • East Side – Wood Fire Grill, Zaxby's, Chubby Chicks, Appalachian Snow, Sunset Slush, Farmhouse Lemonade
  • West side – J&K Lemonade, Kona Ice, Bojangles, Glazed & Infused
• Western Carolina students will be able to use their declining balance with their CatCard ID at the football stadium concessions stands – it does not apply to alcohol or the other vendors that have sales points at the stadium on game day, only the Catamount Dining concession stands at WCU home football games only.
• Alcohol will be available for purchase in both the east and west concourses of the stadium. Beer, wine, cider, and hard seltzers will be available in Whitmire Stadium for fans 21 years of age or older. Fans will need to show their valid ID when purchasing alcohol and may only purchase two (2) alcoholic beverages per valid ID, with the ID holder present at the time of transaction. Sales will begin when the gates open 90 minutes before kickoff and close at the end of the 3rd quarter. No alcohol will be permitted to enter or exit the stadium … Please drink responsibly.