Homecoming 2026
GVSU Homecoming || October 3, 2026
2026 GVSU Spirit Days | Monday, Sept. 28 - Friday, Oct. 2
GVSU HOMECOMING SPIRIT WEEK
Show your Laker pride all week long and get ready for Homecoming!
MONDAY, SEP. 28 - WHITE OUT
Kick off Homecoming Week decked out in GV white!
TUESDAY, SEP. 29 - TWIN DAY
Grab your favorite GVSU buddy and match for the day!
WEDNESDAY, SEP. 30 - DRESS LIKE LOUIE
Channel our favorite Laker! Break out the nautical gear, stripes, and sailor-inspired looks.
THURSDAY, OCT. 1 - DARK MODE
Switch campus to Dark Mode and rock your GV black!
FRIDAY, OCT. 2 - BLUE OUT
Fill campus with Laker blue and finish the week strong!
SATURDAY, OCT. 3 - GAME DAY!
It’s Homecoming, Lakers! Pull out ALL your favorite GVSU gear and show up ready to cheer on the Lakers!
Showing off your Spirit Week look? Tag @gvsustudentlife in your posts and stories so we can repost and share your Laker spirit!
All week. All Lakers. Anchor Up!
Homecoming Photobooth | Monday, Sep. 28, 1 - 3 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Lobby
Monday, Sep. 28, 1 - 3 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Lobby
Get ready to celebrate Homecoming and show off your school spirit! Stop by the Homecoming Photo Booth with your friends to snap some fun pictures, use themed props, and capture memories from one of the biggest weeks on campus!
Sunglasses Decorating | Monday, Sep. 28, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Room 2270
Monday, Sep 28, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Room 2270
Get creative and design a pair of sunglasses that are uniquely you! Stop by to decorate your own sunglasses with colorful gems, stickers, charms, and more. Whether you’re going for fun, funky, or totally fabulous, there are endless ways to make your shades stand out.
Line Dancing & Texas Roadhouse Rolls | Monday, Sep. 28, 8 - 9 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Room 2250
Monday, Sep. 28, 8-9 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Room 2250 (Grand River Room)
Grab your friends and get ready for a night of line dancing, good vibes, and delicious rolls! Learn some fun line dances, show off your moves, and enjoy some warm, buttery rolls while you hang out.
DIY Passports | Tuesday, Sep. 29, 5 - 6 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Room 2201
Tuesday, Sep. 29, 5-6 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Room 2201
Create your own DIY adventure book or passport and let your creativity take you anywhere! Decorate, personalize, and fill your book with fun ideas, memories, bucket-list destinations, and places you want to explore.
Decorate a Deck | Tuesday, Sep. 29, 6 - 8 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Lounge
Tuesday, Sep. 29, 6 - 8 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Lounge (Outside Rainbow Resource Center)
Put your own creative spin on a classic game! Design and decorate your very own deck of playing cards with fun colors, doodles, stickers, and unique designs. Whether you make every card different or create a theme for your deck, this is your chance to turn an everyday game into something completely your own.
Lemonade Bar & Friendship Bracelets | Wednesday, Sep. 30, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Lounge
Wednesday, Sep. 30, 11:30-1:30 p.m. | Kirkhof Center Lounge (Outside Rainbow Resource Center)
Come hang out, grab a refreshing drink, and get creative at our Lemonade Bar & Friendship Bracelet Station! Customize your own lemonade with fun flavors, then make a friendship bracelet for yourself or someone special.
NPHC Yardshow | Thursday, Oct. 1, 7 - 9 p.m. | Library Amphitheater
Thursday, Oct. 1, 7 - 9 p.m. | Library Amphitheater
Join the GVSU National Pan-Hellenic Council for the premier event of Homecoming 2026! The NPHC Yard Show celebrates the rich history, traditions, and culture of historically Black Greek-letter organizations, collectively known as the Divine Nine. Watch GVSU’s fraternities and sororities take the stage with high-energy strolls, hops, chants, and performances that showcase the pride, unity, and traditions unique to their organizations. Come experience the energy, community, and culture of this unforgettable Homecoming tradition!
Concert in the Arb | Friday, Oct. 2, 7 - 9 p.m. | Arboretum
Friday, Oct. 2, 7 - 9 p.m. | Arboretum
For the most update information about the Concert in the Arb, please check the CAB Fall Fest page.
Join CAB at the Homecoming Tailgate | Saturday, Oct. 3, 12 - 3 p.m. | Lot C
Saturday, Oct. 3, 12 - 3 p.m. | Lot C
Get amped for the big game with CAB and the Office of Student Life! Stop by the Homecoming Tailgate from 12 - 3 p.m. on your way to Lubbers Stadium for free airbrush tattoos, hot cocoa, apple cider, coffee, and more. Grab a warm drink, show off your Laker pride, and get ready to cheer on GV at the Homecoming football game. Go Lakers!
2026 Homecoming Football Game vs. Wayne State & Homecoming Royal Crowning | Saturday, Oct. 3, 3 p.m. | Lubbers Stadium
Saturday, Oct. 3, 3 p.m. | Lubbers Stadium
Celebrate Homecoming with Laker Nation! Join the GVSU community at Lubbers Stadium on Saturday, October 3, as Grand Valley State Football takes on Wayne State. Kickoff is at 3 p.m., so wear your Laker blue and get ready to cheer on GV!
Stay in your seats at halftime for a special Homecoming tradition as Vice President for Student Affairs Jenny Hall-Jones crowns the 2026 GVSU Homecoming Royal. Bring your Laker pride and be part of one of the biggest moments of Homecoming Weekend!
Homecoming Royalty
2026 GVSU Homecoming Royalty
Cast your vote NOW for the 2026 GVSU Homecoming Royal
Grand Valley State University's Homecoming Royalty is a learner who represent the Grand Valley community and emulates what it means to be a Laker. Candidates are enrolled full-time, third or fourth-year class standing, and are in good standing with the institution. Voting for the 2026 Homecoming Royal will close on Wednesday, September 30 at 11:59 P.M.
Follow this link to the complete regulations, rights & privileges of Homecoming Royalty candidates.
2026 Homecoming Royalty Timeline
Nominations Close || September 1
Formal Interviews || August 31 - September 4
Public Announcement of 2026 Homecoming Court || September 22
Voting open to all currently enrolled GVSU students || September 22 - 30
For a full list of events and activities planned for 2026 GVSU Homecoming, visit the GVSU Homecoming website.
Congratulations to our 2025 Homecoming Royal, ART Jackson!
Photographs and video may be taken during these events. Your presence gives consent for any such photographs or video to be used for advertising and publicity purposes by Grand Valley State University.
Homecoming is co-sponsored by the Campus Activities Board within the Office of Student Life, which is a part of the Division of Student Affairs, and Alumni Relations at Grand Valley State University.