Cullowhee, N.C. – Single-game tickets and gameday parking for all six home dates on Western Carolina's 2026 home football schedule at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field go on sale Tuesday (July 28) through the Catamount Athletics Ticket Office and online at CatamountSports.com.
 
Tickets for WCU's opener against Eastern Kentucky have been on sale since July 14.
 
Tickets and gameday parking sales are available in person at the first-floor Athletics Ticket Office in the Ramsey Center (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), by phone at (828) 227-2401, and online by visiting CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets.
 
WCU will showcase its $40 million renovations, including the Western Skybox press and hospitality facility, new LED stadium lights, upgraded video board, and a new artificial playing surface when it hosts EKU at 7 p.m. Game day promotions for the 2026 opener include a 'Blackout Whitmire' with FREE black WCU T-shirts to the first 3,500 fans through the gates, 4,000 Blackout thunder sticks to Western Carolina students, and the WCU's 15th annual Freshmen Run. Vannoy Construction also presents a special drone light show, produced by SkyElements, as part of the opening-day festivities.
 
The home-opener is presented by Ingles and media partners Kiss Country and Star 104.3. Everyone in Catamount Nation is encouraged to wear black to the game.
 
WCU celebrates Family Weekend on Sept. 19 against Presbyterian, before Catamount football welcomes home its alumni as WCU plays its first league meeting against Tennessee Tech on Oct. 3.
 
Homecoming 2026 is scheduled for Oct. 24, when Chattanooga comes to Cullowhee, with Wofford providing the opposition on Nov. 7 as WCU honors its Heroes Day and its longstanding relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on EBCI Day. WCU honors its 37th induction class into its Athletics Hall of Fame and its Seniors in the regular-season home finale on Nov. 21 against The Citadel, with fans encouraged to Wear Purple for the 'Purple Out!'
 
Click HERE for a full rundown of the game day promotions for WCU's 2026 home football schedule.
 
Advanced parking is $15 and increases to $20 on game day, with options available at the H.F. Robinson Administration lot, the Field House lot (which includes ADA parking; appropriate credentials and proof of purchase must be presented at the lot entrance), the North Baseball Parking Deck, and the South Baseball Lot. On-campus parking is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance parking purchases are highly recommended.
 
Additional game day parking options are exclusive to Catamount Club members. Contact the Catamount Club today to discuss options and join the Catamount Club today.
 
Western Carolina's football student-athletes officially report to campus for the opening of the 2026 preseason camp on Wednesday, July 29, with the team's first official practice in helmets scheduled for Thursday, July 30, at 8:30 a.m. WCU's preseason football practices are open to the public, though it is respectfully requested that spectators observe from the stadium seating area and avoid being either on the field or the sidelines for safety. Construction of the Western Skybox and amenities around the stadium are scheduled to continue through early August, with some areas and entrances remaining closed to the public until the project is finalized. Practice times are subject to change.
 
After leading the Southern Conference in attendance in 2025, large crowds for each home date in Cullowhee are expected this fall. Purchasing season tickets remains the best option to secure seats for WCU's six home dates, which are also still available through the Catamount Athletics Ticket Office. Options include general admission, reserved bleacher bench, and a few remaining chairback seats, with a Family Zone four-pack in Section FF also available. (A $10 transaction fee will be charged for all ticket orders, regardless of payment method – credit card, cash, or check).
 
2026 Western Carolina Football HOME Schedule:
Sat., Aug. 29 – vs. Eastern Kentucky ('Blackout Whitmire', Drone Light Show) – 7 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 19 – vs. Presbyterian ('White Out Whitmire', Family Weekend) – 2:30 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 3 – vs. Tennessee Tech (Catamount Football Alumni Weekend) – 6 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 24 – vs. Chattanooga (WCU Homecoming 2026) – 2:30 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 7 – vs. Wofford (Heroes Day, EBCI Day) – 1 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 21 – vs. The Citadel (Hall of Fame Day, Senior Day, 'Purple Out') – 1 p.m.
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount football and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (FB.com/CatamountSports, FB.com/WesternCarolinaFootball), Twitter (@catamounts, @CatamountsFB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts, catamountsfb).
 
Important Dates in Catamount Athletics & Catamount Football:
Tuesday, July 28 – Single-game tickets and parking for remaining five home dates on sale
Tuesday, July 28 – Harris Regional Hospital press conference, 11:30 a.m. (Ramsey Center)
Wednesday, July 29 – Catamount Football student-athletes report for fall camp
Thursday, July 30 – First football 2026 preseason practice (8:30 a.m., helmet only)
Wednesday, Aug. 5 – Women's Soccer Exhibition – vs. Georgia State (CAC, 7 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 8 – Women's Soccer Exhibition – vs. Wright State (CAC, 2 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 13 – Women's Soccer Season-Opener – vs. Winthrop (CAC, 6 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 14 – WCU Freshman Convocation (Ramsey Center)
Monday, Aug. 17 – First day of classes for the 2026 fall semester – Cullowhee
Friday, Aug. 21 – Volleyball Exhibition – vs. Anderson (Ramsey Center, 6 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 21 – Catamount Shootout Golf Tournament (Marion Lake Club, Nebo, N.C.)
Saturday, Aug. 29 – Catamount Football season-opener vs. Eastern Kentucky (7 p.m.)
Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Volleyball Home Opener – vs. Gardner-Webb (Ramsey Center, 6 p.m.)
Sept. 13-15 – Men's Golf – JT Poston Invitational – (Waynesville Inn & Golf Club)
Friday, Oct. 2 – Bob Waters Memorial Golf Tournament – (Sequoyah  National, Cherokee)