Homecoming Events
Keep checking this page for new events being added all the time! If you have a Homecoming event to add to the schedule, please send information to homecoming@ecu.edu.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Banner Competition
All Day | Main Campus Student Center Commons
Competing organizations will create awe-inspiring banners that showcase their Pirate Pride and incorporate this year’s theme. Banners will hang in the Student Center Commons throughout homecoming week and the top banners will win the coveted Spirit Cup points.
Department Door Decoration Competition
All Day | Main and Health Sciences Campuses
Campus departments have a chance to get in on the fun with a new competition this year! Departments can decorate their door or window to showcase your ECU spirit and incorporate the Homecoming theme. Visit the Door Decoration Competition page for more information and competition rules.
Captain of the Ship Voting
All Day | The Pirate Experience
Log into The Pirate Experience to view the Top 10 Captain of the Ship Candidates and vote for your favorite. Voting is only open to ECU students. Voting will end on Friday, October 9 at 5:00 P.M.
Homecoming Kickoff
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Main Campus Student Center Lawn and Health Sciences Student Center Lawn
Kick off the Homecoming festivities no matter where you are! Stop by the Main Campus Student Center Lawn or the Health Sciences Student Center Lawn forfood, fun, and lots more for all students. This is your first chance of the week to get a Homecoming t-shirt!
Skit Competition
7 p.m. | Minges Coliseum
One of the most beloved student Homecoming traditions is back! Watch a variety of skits and dances from our student organizations designed to show our Pirate Pride! This event is open to the public – you don’t want to miss the fun!
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Food Drive
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Parking Lot Near the Main Campus Student Center
Student Organizations put ECU’s motto, Servire, into practice by collecting food and water to be donated to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and ECU’s Williams-Ross Purple Pantry. We invite all members of the ECU community to donate food items by stopping by the donation site.
Swipe Out Hunger
9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Proctor-Yongue House
A collaborative program with the Williams-Ross Purple Pantry, the Student Government Association, and ECU Dining, using the GET Mobile app students with purple and gold meal plans will be able to donate 1 or 2 meals to students experiencing food insecurity at ECU. From the campaign, students will now get access to healthy and well-balanced meals at West End and Todd Dining Halls.
Evening Press
5 – 6:30 p.m. | Proctor-Yongue House
Bring your favorite vinyl record and enjoy music, light snacks, beverages and conversation at the Proctor-Yongue House. Learn more at https://artscomm.ecu.edu/eveningpress/.
Friday, October 9, 2026
Paint It Purple Friday
All Day
Paint it Purple Fridays have been an ECU tradition for many years. Whether on campus, in Greenville, or around the world, we want everyone in the ECU community to wear purple every Friday.
Brody School of Medicine Reunion Weekend
Activities Begin at 12:15 p.m. | Health Sciences Campus
Brody alumni are invited back for a full afternoon of reunion activities, including tours, an alumni remembrance and opportunities to reconnect. The day concludes with the Alumni Awards & Recognition Reception from 6:30–9 p.m. View the full schedule and register.
Homecoming Hike with Campus Recreation and Wellness
3 – 6 p.m. | Otter Creek – Departs from the Adventure Center at the Eakin Student Recreation Center
Meet at the Adventure Center for a leisurely hike through Otter Creek just outside of Greenville. Transportation will be provided to and from the hiking location. All specific details will be sent out to registrants the week of the trip. Please note that program times may vary. Questions? Email adventure@ecu.edu.
Honors College Party on the Porch
5 – 8 p.m. | Brock’s Berries and Farm
Reconnect with Honors College alumni, students and faculty for food, drinks, yard games, pumpkin painting, hay rides and more. Register
Freeboot Friday
5:30-8:30 p.m. | Five Points Plaza – Downtown Greenville
Downtown Greenville Partnership presents Freeboot Friday with a performance you won’t want to miss. This event also offers free giveaways, food trucks, and plenty of family-friendly entertainment!
ECU Alumni Awards Dinner
5:30 p.m. cocktails | 6:30 p.m. dinner | The Martinsborough
Celebrate five outstanding Pirates whose careers, accomplishments and service exemplify the best of East Carolina. The 2026 Alumni Awards will recognize Benjamin Davis ’08 ’10, Dr. Sara Griffith ’00 ’08 ’21, Dr. Patrick O’Shea ’08, Robert Earl Cherry Jr. ’04 and Mark Garner ’77. Meet the honorees and register.
NPHC Step Show
7 p.m. | Wright Auditorium
Join the National Pan-Hellenic Council for the Divine 9 step show! This annual event is one you won’t want to miss. Doors open at 6:00pm, don’t be late.
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Health Sciences Alumni Breakfast & Homecoming Parade Watch Party
8:30 a.m. | Howard House
Start Homecoming Saturday with fellow Health Sciences alumni over breakfast before enjoying the Homecoming Parade along Fifth Street. RSVP
College of Fine Arts and Communication Parade Watch
9 a.m. | Proctor-Yongue House
Enjoy light snacks, beverages and a spot along Fifth Street to watch the Homecoming Parade.
Homecoming Parade
9 a.m. | 5th Street, Greenville & Live-streamed on Facebook
Join us for the Homecoming Parade and Float Competition as the precursor to the Homecoming Football Game against Temple on Saturday. located along 5th Street from Hilltop Street to Reade Street. The parade will include a variety of groups walking, riding in cars, and in traditional floats.
Be sure to stop by the Taylor-Slaughter Alumni Center during the parade to take a picture with the ECUAA’s special edition Pirate statue!
Interested in having your department or local organization participate in the parade? Click here for the parade application.
Brody School of Medicine Friends & Family Tailgate
Three hours before kickoff | Johnson Stadium
Reconnect with Brody alumni, classmates, medical students and their families before ECU takes on Rice. View Reunion Weekend details and register.
Pirate Game Day Tailgate
2.5 hours before kickoff | Johnson Stadium
Get ready for Homecoming football with a buffet, beverages, music, games and more alongside fellow Pirates. The tailgate concludes 30 minutes before kickoff. Book your spot.
Marching Pirates Alumni Reunion
Pregame and halftime | Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
Former Marching Pirates are invited to reconnect and take the field once again for pregame and halftime performances. Book your reunion.
Homecoming Football Game – Spirit Cup and Captain of the Ship Announcement
4 p.m. | Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
Get rowdy in Dowdy to cheer on our ECU Pirates against Rice. The Captain of the Ship and winners of the Homecoming Spirit Cup will be announced at halftime.
For information about game times, tickets, or parking visit www.ecupirates.com or call the Athletics ticket office at 800-342-5328.