Vandals embark on an odyssey for Homecoming 2026

MOSCOW, Idaho — A week of Vandal traditions will bring alumni, students, employees and the Moscow community together Sunday through Saturday, Oct. 18-24, as University of Idaho celebrates Homecoming.

This year’s theme, “Vandal Odyssey: Homecoming of Heroes,” will guide a week of student-led celebrations, community traditions and opportunities to reconnect with fellow Vandals. Events culminate with the 118th annual Homecoming Parade, a tailgate and the Vandal football game against Southern Utah on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The week begins with a Homecoming kickoff at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, on the Theophilus Tower lawn. Student groups will bring the celebration downtown at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, decorating Main Street business windows for Vandalize Moscow. Jingles, a competition featuring student-created skits inspired by the Homecoming theme, begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at ICCU Arena.

Event highlights include:

Friday, Oct. 23

• Serpentine: 8 p.m., U of I Golf Course parking lot
• Vandal Rally and Bonfire: 8:30 p.m., P1FCU Kibbie Dome parking lot
• ICCU Homecoming Fireworks Show: 9 p.m., P1FCU Kibbie Dome parking lot

Saturday, Oct. 24

• Future Vandals Parade: 9 a.m., Main Street in downtown Moscow
• Best Western Plus University Inn Homecoming Parade: 10 a.m., Main Street in downtown Moscow
• Vandal Fan Zone tailgate: Noon, ICCU Arena Plaza
• Vandal football game against Southern Utah: 2 p.m., P1FCU Kibbie Dome

This year’s Homecoming Parade grand marshal is U of I alumnus and former Seattle Seahawks center John Yarno ’77. As the first Idaho student-athlete named a Division I first-team All-American, Yarno embodies the spirit, pride and legacy of the “Vandal Odyssey: Homecoming of Heroes” theme. 

Homecoming at U of I is completely student-led, with support from community organizations including premier sponsor and fireworks title sponsor ICCU and parade title sponsor Best Western Plus University Inn.

“Every Vandal has a story about how they got to U of I and where they’ve gone since,” student Homecoming Committee President Nathan Tinno said. “This year’s theme embodies that story and allows them to celebrate it amongst other Vandals. Current Vandals will be able to see and feel the pride and strive to do the same through their own journeys.”

Vandals can also give back through blood and school supplies drives from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Oct. 20-22. The blood drive takes place in the Clearwater-Whitewater rooms of the Idaho Student Union Building. School supplies can be dropped off at the Student Recreation Center, Idaho Student Union Building and Bruce M. Pitman Center.

For the full schedule and event details, visit uidaho.edu/events/homecoming.

Media contact

Teresa Daily
Program Coordinator, Alumni Events and Operations
tdaily@uidaho.edu
208-885-5557