The 2026 Homecoming Celebration will take place on Saturday, October 24. To tailgate, groups are highly encouraged to pre-register by Monday, October 19. If you do not pre-register, a spot is not guaranteed and you will have to review policies with a staff member before setting up. All tailgating groups are responsible for providing their own tables, tents, chairs, decor, etc.

Each group tailgating is required to complete a virtual Homecoming Tailgate Overview session to review this year’s policies. In addition, each group must designate a group leader who will be on-site on October 24 and provide their contact information. The group leader will serve as the primary point of contact with the Office of Alumni Engagement before, during, and after the event.

The group leader is responsible for ensuring adherence to all policies, including following the end time for tailgating (4:30 p.m.) and that the space is clean upon departure. If policies are not followed, the Office of Alumni Engagement will contact the group leader to address the issue and determine whether the group will be permitted to participate in the future Homecoming Celebrations.

GENERAL INFORMATION
The Homecoming Tailgate will take place in Parking Lot O. Upon arrival, guests should check in on Stadium Drive beginning at 8 a.m., when tailgating setup opens, to be directed to your tailgating area. Tailgaters may not store, drop-off items, or begin setup in the lot prior to 8 a.m. If you arrive earlier, the Office of Alumni Engagement reserves the right to require you to move your vehicle and belongings, leave and re-enter, or relocate within the lot.

Homecoming Celebration festivities will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. University Showcase ends at 2 p.m. Food trucks and Kids Zone will close at 3 p.m. The Homecoming Tailgate will officially end at 4:30 p.m.

IMPORTANT DETAILS
Parking Lot O will host all tailgates, including:

• Athletics managed tailgating spots, included in season parking sales
• Student and Alumni Tailgate
• NPHC and Multicultural Organization Tailgate

Tailgating setup begins at 8 a.m., with festivities and the official event starting at 11 a.m. The Homecoming Tailgate will conclude at 4:30 p.m., and all attendees must depart the lot at that time. Bathrooms will close at 4:30 p.m. All equipment must be packed up and vehicles removed by 6 p.m., at which point the lot must be completely vacant.

SPACE AND SUPPLIES
Space in Parking Lot O is guaranteed for those who pre-register by October 19. Placement is first-come, first-served, and tailgating areas are chosen upon arrival.

Members of the Rowan community cannot set up or drop off materials before 8 a.m. and must vacate Lot O by 6 p.m.

Tables, chairs, tents, and other supplies are not provided and must be brought and removed by each tailgating group. Rowan University is not responsible for any items during or after the event.

Selling items is prohibited.

FOOD TRUCKS IN LOT O-1
The first 500 student attendees will receive $10 in tickets to use for the food trucks as long as they swipe in with their Rowan student ID at the Welcome Tent located along Stadium Drive. Alumni and non-student guests interested in purchasing lunch can do so at any of the food trucks via cash, card, Venmo, etc.

GRILLING GUIDELINES

• Each participant with a grill MUST have a fire extinguisher within 10 feet at all times
• Grilling must be done 50 feet from a building
• No grilling can occur within 10 feet of any combustible
• No grilling can occur under any building overhang
• No deep fryers are permitted
• Grills must be shut off at 3:45 p.m.

VEHICLES
Parking Lot O opens at 8 a.m. for pre-registered vehicles to drop off belongings. Set up is not allowed before 8 a.m. Vehicles must exit the lot by 10:15 a.m. and any remaining vehicles may be ticketed beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Engines must be turned off while loading and unloading. Someone must be with the vehicle at all times. 

For safety, vehicles may not re-enter until 5:30 p.m. or when lot occupancy drops below 10 percent, whichever comes first.

During tailgating hours, Rowan University staff will be available with golf carts for cleaning, safety, and assistance with transporting people and materials as needed.

MUSIC AND NOISE
Music will be played into Parking Lot O-1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participants in the Homecoming Tailgate can play music from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for those in the Athletics-sold tailgating spots, who must stop music at 1:50 p.m. (game time). No music is allowed from 1:50 p.m. to 2 p.m. during the National Anthem in Richard Wackar Stadium.

At all times, please keep music at a moderate level and limit explicit content. After 2 p.m., speakers in the Homecoming Tailgate are required to face the soccer fields to avoid interfering with the football game. Guest DJs may use their own sound systems, and microphones are encouraged to support announcements throughout the experience (see timeline on page 1).

CLEAN-UP
Participants are responsible for the garbage in their area. Please come prepared with your own garbage bags. Additional bags will be provided by the Office of Alumni Engagement.

At 5 p.m., volunteers in highly visible vests will circulate to assist with event clean-up. They will provide trash bags, collect waste, and remind any remaining attendees that the lot must be vacated by 6 p.m.

Trash bins will be provided and emptied throughout the event, with the last pick-up at 5:30 p.m.