Homecoming
Homecoming 2026
Our 2026 edition of the Homecoming Alumni Band is going to be fantastic! Barry L. Houser has put together an exciting show, selection of stands tunes, and a well-planned social experience for all of our band alumni. We look forward to seeing you again.
WHO IS COMING? Click this link and check back regularly as we update this list of who signed up and plans to return to campus from homecoming this year!
You can choose how you want to participate—See below for more information!
PRELIMINARY Homecoming 2026 Schedule
(exact times are subject to change)
Homecoming Schedule | Friday, October 2
Please note: ALL Friday activities are OPTIONAL
Friday Parking—Please refer to the parking map in the shared Google Drive for free Friday parking locations in Lot 33 or E-14.
12:00 PM Check In Opens—Please check Harding Band Building (HBB) doors for information. At check in, you will receive:
Name tag
Instrument
Parade t-shirt
Extra Friday Night Social wristbands
Wrist band for registered Alumni to attend the Friday Night Social
Digital music will be provided in advance via email
printed music will not be provided
If you need assistance with purchasing an flip folder or lyre, contact your local music company or contact our great supporters at The Music Shoppe.
Visit Tonal Innovation if you need to purchase an e-flip to hold your phone. Plan ahead as these take some time to ship.
2:00 PM: Gather in HBB 141 for Welcome, introductions, and short business meeting.
2:30 PM: Alumni Band Welcome, Opening Rehearsal, and Check In closes for the afternoon.
Alumni Color Guard rehearsal in the Armory
Alumnettes rehearsal in the Armory
Drumline rehearsal outside of HBB on the north lawn
Everyone else—rehearsal and favorite charts in Harding 141
4:00 PM: Snack time! Grab a snack and head to the Parade starting at First and Kirby. LIMITED transportation is available. If you are attending the Friday Evening Reception, you may move your car to the Conference Center parking at the iHotel
6:00 PM: Parade step-off. Alumni Band will lead the Homecoming Parade. Note: Large instruments (Sousaphones, drums, flags, etc., may be stored in the Horseshoe at Gies Memorial Stadium. Please meet at the South Entrance IMMEDIATELY following the parade for access.
6:30 PM: Alumni Band check in at the iHotel. Pick up your “stuff” in front of the Chancellor Ballroom North if you are unable to join the afternoon check in/rehearsal.
6:30-8:30 PM: FRIDAY NIGHT RECEPTION—Alumni and Friends celebration at iHotel, Chancellor Ballroom North
The evening features two hours of beer and wine, a dinner buffet, and live music! Vegetarian options are available—please indicate if you need a vegetarian meal on your registration form. Thanks to our sponsors: Marching Illini and University of Illinois Alumni Association for their help in providing this fun evening for our Alumni Band.
10:00 PM: Friday Night Hype | Alma Mater, corner of Wright and Green
Homecoming Schedule | Saturday, October 3
Saturday Parking: Complimentary parking near the stadium is VERY LIMITED. See parking information in the shared Google Drive sent via email.
TBD: Alumni Band check-in opens in Gies Memorial Stadium South Tunnel.
9:00 AM: FEET ON THE FIELD Alumni Band Rehearsal—Gies Memorial Stadium (mandatory for those who will be marching on the field). Rehearsal begins…we will learn pregame and halftime dots, music, and choreography.
11:00 AM: Rehearsal concludes—everyone must exit Zuppke Field and enter Section 131 for seating assignments and announcements.
11:15 AM: Stands music rehearsal begins.
BREAK
2:25 PM: March Out to the Stadium from the Armory.
2:50 PM Alumni Band Pregame Performance in Gies Memorial Stadium
Revised Entrance #3
Oskee from the Hold
3:15 PM: ILLINOIS vs. Purdue kickoff
Halftime performance:
Gigolo, Elk’s Parade, Three In One
Post-game march-out from Gies Memorial Stadium to Siebel Center for our traditional post-game concert
Participation
You may participate in a variety of activities offered—whatever appeals to you. Please see the registration site to customize your selection of activities.
UNIFORMS
Alumnettes—Saturday Uniform: Alumnettes will wear a custom t-shirt and black yoga pants.
Please email Alumnettes@gmail.com for more information.
Color Guard—Orange Illini t-shirt and black yoga pants. Please contact Angie Dimit at ANGIE.DIMIT.GPB@gmail.com for more information.
2026 Grads—In lieu of the Alumni uniform, you may wear your old MI jackets, caps and navy warm-ups or DARK blue jeans. PLEASE WEAR AN ORANGE POLO!
For all other participants, the uniform will consist of the following:
FRIDAY
DARK blue jeans or MI Navy Warm Up Pants
Homecoming Committee will provide an ORANGE Homecoming T-Shirt for you to wear during the parade - if cold, wear your navy jacket
Alumni Band jacket or navy jacket with no logo (see Saturday uniform information below)
SATURDAY
Orange Alumni Band polo or orange polo
Alumni Band Jacket or Navy Blue jacket with no logo
DARK blue jeans or MI navy warm-ups —NO khaki pants
ORDER ALUMNI UNIFORMS VIA NIL STORE
Orange Alumni Polo:
Blue Alumni Jacket or Quarter-zip:
https://nil.store/illinois/products/general-augusta-sportswear-hooded-taffeta-jacket?Size=Small
In general, the Band Alumni will maintain a uniform and neat appearance. Please note that we are subject to the requirements of the University as they apply to the Marching Illini members. This includes NO CHIEF clothing or items when participating in Band Alumni activities and performances.
Alumni Band Instruments
Mellophones, Baritones, Sousaphones, and Drumline instruments will be provided to those who need to check one out for the weekend. This will take place on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning during registration. Please indicate whether you need to borrow an instrument on the online registration process.
Seating and Tickets
The Alumni Band will receive complimentary tickets from the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics for your contribution to the Game Day atmosphere in Memorial Stadium.
Unfortunately, all additional tickets for family and friends in the alumni band section have sold out, for other ticketing options, check out the Illini ticket office.
Parking and Transportation (TO BE DETERMINED)
Friday parking is available via metered locations throughout campus (recommended). Complimentary parking is available in Lot 33/E-14 (see Google Drive map). Transportation will be provided from Fourth and Kirby from 11:30 AM–2:00 PM to the Harding Band Building. Parking at the iHotel Conference Center is complimentary after 4:00 PM for those attending the social.
LIMITED Saturday parking is provided along Pennsylvania Avenue—this is on a “first come-first served” basis. YOU MUST DISPLAY A PARKING PASS in your windshield. This pass is available for printing in the General Information folder on the Homecoming Google Drive.
Guaranteed or alternate Saturday parking arrangements may be made on the Campus Reservation system at:
University of Illinois Memorial Stadium Parking | Find Parking | ParkMobile
NOTE that these will not open until 7:00 AM.
Questions?
Email us at uiucalumniband@gmail.com for more information.