WKU News

Join us on the Hill for Big Red’s World Tour! Homecoming 2026 promises a weekend of Hilltopper Spirit and family fun. Presented by the WKU Alumni Association, in partnership with the WKU Department of Student Activities and WKU Athletics, the Hill will be a hub of community celebration.

Big Red’s World Tour begins on Thursday, Nov. 12 with our annual Hilltopper Excellence Awards. Held at the Knicely Conference Center, this signature event will honor 10 of our outstanding alumni and benefactors, including the three newest members of the WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

Plan to spend Friday, Nov. 13 in Downtown Bowling Green. This year, Junior Achievement’s Chili & Cheese Community luncheon will be held at SKyPAC from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Spend the afternoon at your favorite Bowling Green spots or take a tour of campus, either guided or on your own.

The world tour continues at 4:30 Friday evening with the Homecoming Parade. The parade will follow College Street down to Fountain Square Park where we’ll continue the celebration with Big Red’s Roar. This spirited pep rally will include appearances from Big Red, the WKU Football team, the Big Red Marching Band and more!

Saturday brings the final stops on Big Red’s World Tour! Start your day at Back to the Hill Again with WKU’s Young Alumni Council at Hilligans Bar & Grill at 10:00 a.m. Reconnect with friends and classmates before heading to South Lawn.

The Hilltopper Spirit will be alive and well on South Lawn for Tailgate & Celebrate starting at 11:30 a.m. Show off your WKU red, and enjoy food, friendship and a spirited atmosphere as you get ready for the big game!

At 2:30 p.m., the WKU Hilltoppers will face off against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Houchen Industries–L.T. Smith Stadium.

For more information and a full listing of events, visit alumni.wku.edu/homecoming, email alumni@wku.edu or call/text (270) 745-2586. 

- WKU -

Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.