Homecoming 2026
The Ultimate Go Blue, Go Dearborn Week!
Celebrate your home away from home this Homecoming! The University of Michigan-Dearborn hosts several events throughout the week, with something for everyone. Gather with fellow alumni, students, faculty, and staff as we celebrate our Dearborn Wolverine Pride!
The theme this year is Built Blue highlighting our campus identity as true Blue Wolverines. View the schedule for the week below.
Monday, October 5
- Audience open to faculty/staff, alumni
- Hosted by Office of Student Life, Office of Alumni Engagement, UM-Dearborn Athletics, and UM-Dearborn Staff Senate
Kick off Homecoming Week by exploring the creating Built Blue door displays across campus! Participating offices will have their decorations completed and on display beginning Monday. Contest judging will take place later in the week.
Faculty/Staff and Alumni: Register online by September 30, 2026
Event information: Further event details on Victorslink
- 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Chancellor's Pond
- Audience open to alumni, students, faculty/staff
- Hosted by Office of Alumni Engagement
Join the Homecoming Committee as we kick off Homecoming Week with a community cookout! Stop by, bring your lunch or buy it in advance, and celebrate all things UM-Dearborn with fellow alumni, current students, and faculty and staff colleagues from across campus as we prepare to watch the annual Cardboard Boat Races! A special invitation to all UM-Dearborn alumni working on campus - step away from the office and join us for this kickoff event.
Want to purchase lunch? Click the link below. Alumni who purchase in advance receive a discounted rate. Lunch is also available for UM-Dearborn faculty, staff, and students and advance purchase is highly recommended.
- 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. at the Chancellor's Pond
- Audience open to students, faculty/staff, alumni
- Hosted by Office of Student Life and Black Student Union
One of our most exciting campus traditions! Watch students compete in cardboard boat races at the Chancellor's Pond. Cheer on student teams during this campus community event as teams race to be crowned the Cardboard Boat Race Champion!
Student Organizations and athletic teams, test their creative thinking and engineering skills to build boats entirely out of cardboard to race across the Chancellor’s Pond. Whichever team makes it to the end of the pond, and back the fastest with their boat afloat and in one piece wins.
Students: Boat Race registration closes September 28, 2026
Event Information: Further event details on Victorslink
Tuesday, October 6
- 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Fieldhouse Parking Lot F
- Audience open to campus (students, faculty/staff, and alumni)
- Hosted by Office of Student Life, Office of Alumni Engagement, UM-Dearborn Athletics, and Dearborn Pickleball Club
Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, this tournament promises excitement, sportsmanship, and community spirit. Bring your own paddles or borrow some for free. Paddles are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Games are played in doubles; register with your own partner or as a single player, and we will team you up with someone. Pre-registration is required to participate.
Don't miss out on the fun, register today!
Event Information: Further event details on Victorslink
Wednesday, October 7
- Audience open to the alumni graduating classes of 1962-1976
- Hosted by Office of Alumni Engagement
Celebrate the 50-year milestone of the UM-Dearborn Class of 1976! Alumni from the Classes of 1962-1975 are invited to join us as we welcome the Class of 1976 as the newest group of Jubilee Alumni at this annual reunion celebration. Experience the most memorable stories and favorite photos from when they were on campus.
Visit the Jubilee Alumni website for more details and to register to attend.
- 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. in Kochoff Hall, James C. Renick University Center
- Audience open to students
Learn more about the study abroad program and how studying in another country, gives you an opportunity to be immersed in a new culture and become globally literate, while at the same time earn credit towards your degree.
- 7:00 p.m. at Crestwood High School
- Audience open to campus (students, faculty/staff, alumni and the community)
- Hosted by UM-Dearborn Athletics
Kick off Homecoming Week by supporting our soccer team as they take on Aquinas! Come out, wear your Maize and Blue and bring the energy as we celebrate Homecoming Week together.
Event Information: Further event details on UM-Dearborn Athletics website
Thursday, October 8
- 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Audience open to students, faculty/staff
- Hosted by Office of Student Life
Join us for a hands-on volunteering event. Food and Day of Service shirt will be provided for all volunteers. More details and registration to come.
- Audience by invitation only (alumni, faculty/staff, guests)
- Hosted by Office of Alumni Engagement
- Honoring the 2026 outstanding alumni award recipients, who are positively impacting their workplaces and communities and serving as strong role models for a new generation of UM-Dearborn student leaders. 2026 Alumni Difference Makers will be announced this summer.
- 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. in Kochoff Hall, James C. Renick University Center
- Audience open to students
- Hosted by the Student Activities Board
The Student Activities Board (SAB) organizes a night of glitz and glam as Kochoff Hall is transformed into a dazzling Vegas casino experience complete with card tables, roulette wheels, slot machines, and more.
Dress to impress in your Vegas best and try your luck at blackjack, poker, and other classic games. Whether you're a high roller or just in it for fun, there’s something for everyone.
No prior experience needed—all students are welcome!
No real money involved—enjoy all the excitement using play chips only.
Friday, October 9
- 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the James C. Renick University Center
- Audience open to students
- Hosted by Career Services
Students and alumni will have the opportunity to speak with businesses and organizations about career and employment information. Learn about co-op/internship opportunities, part-time professional positions, as well as full-time professional employment from the representatives participating the in the Fair.
Registration will be available early this Fall.
Employers interested in participating in the Fair or also seeking other opportunities to engage with students can visit the Career Services website for more information.
Alumni can view career resources on the Alumni Career Resources website.
Honoring the contributions and impact the Class of 2026 Hall of Fame inductees have made within UM-Dearborn Athletics. This year's inductees will be announced later this summer.
Learn more about the UM-Dearborn Athletics Hall of Fame.
- 5:00 - 6:45 p.m. at Fieldhouse Parking Lot F
- Audience open to campus (students, faculty/staff, and alumni)
- Hosted by Office of Student Life, Office of Alumni Engagement, and UM-Dearborn Athletics
Get ready for the ultimate pregame party at the Campus Tailgate! Test your skills on fun inflatables like the mechanical football, kick a field goal, or shoot some hoops. Grab your friends and experience the excitement of a true game-day tailgate as the lot comes alive with decorated vehicles, school spirit, and campus cheer before the big events of the evening.
The first 150 students to arrive will receive a food voucher redeemable for a slice of pizza or a hot dog at the Women's Ice Hockey game later that evening. Enjoy snacks, win prizes, and soak up the Homecoming spirit, you won't want to miss this campus tradition in the making!
Students: Register to attend through Victorslink.
Alumni and campus community: Register to join the pregame party.
- 7:00 p.m. in the Fieldhouse
- Audience open to campus (students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the community)
- Hosted by UM-Dearborn Athletics
Show your Maize and Blue pride and cheer on our Dearborn Wolverines at the Homecoming game!
UM-Dearborn student admission is free with a valid UMICH ID. Don't miss out on the energy, excitement, and school spirit!
Event Information: Further event details on UM-Dearborn Athletics website and Victorslink
- 7:30 p.m. in the Fieldhouse Ice Arena
- Audience open to campus (students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the community)
- Hosted by UM-Dearborn Athletics
Show your Maize and Blue pride and cheer on our Dearborn Wolverines at the Homecoming game!
The Women's Ice Hockey team will be raising their CCWHA Tournament Championship and ACHA National Tournament semifinalist appearance banners prior to their game.
UM-Dearborn student admission is free with a valid UMID card. Our UM-Dearborn alumni, faculty, and staff also receive free admission with discounted admission for their guests.
Don't miss out on the energy, excitement, and school spirit!
Event Information: Further event details on UM-Dearborn Athletics website and Victorslink
Saturday, October 10
- 2:00 p.m. in the Fieldhouse Ice Arena
- Audience open to campus (students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the community)
- Hosted by UM-Dearborn Athletics
Keep the Homecoming spirit going on Saturday as our ice hockey team takes the ice. Come out and support the team, bring your school spirit, and help us close out an unforgettable Homecoming Week!
Additional Homecoming Events
- Audience open to campus (students, faculty/staff, and alumni)
- Hosted by Office of Alumni Engagement
Michigan Wolverines take on the Penn State Nittany Lions during the U-M Homecoming football game at the Big House on Saturday, October 17. Get your tickets to gather before the game at the Alumni Territory Homecoming Tailgate or be part of the action during the game at the Big House.
To purchase game tickets, visit mgoblue.com. Be part of all the pregame fun and purchase your Alumni Territory Homecoming Tailgate tickets on the U-M Alumni Association website today. Go Blue!