UAlbany Gets Ready for Homecoming Weekend

Photo by Patrick Dodson

ALBANY, N.Y. (Sept. 30, 2026) — The University at Albany will welcome alumni, students, families and friends to campus Oct. 2 - 4 for Homecoming Weekend. The three-day weekend brings the campus community together with events celebrating the Great Dane spirit.

The weekend will also mark the first UAlbany Homecoming for the Class of 2030, the largest incoming class in University history, with more than 3,500 new first-year students arriving on campus this fall.

This year’s Homecoming features campus tours, alumni gatherings and class reunions, the opening of new exhibitions at the University Art Museum and a Saturday afternoon football matchup between UAlbany and Delaware State.

One of the biggest surprises will be revealed at 3 p.m. on Friday. A large box installed last week on the Podium between the Arts & Sciences Building and the University Art Museum has been drawing a lot of attention from students and campus visitors. On Friday, the box will be opened to unveil the newest addition to campus, a gift from the Alumni Association.

Homecoming Highlights This Weekend

Homecoming activities will kick off Friday with the Alumni House Welcome Center, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., where visitors can enjoy cider and doughnuts and pick up a schedule and campus map. Alumni can also explore how campus has changed — and revisit familiar spots — during trolley and walking tours offered Friday and Saturday. (The trolley will depart from the Alumni House)

Saturday’s activities begin with the Alumni House Welcome Center and a campus walking tour (starting at University Hall), followed by the Alumni Coffee Hour from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom.

At noon, the University Art Museum will celebrate its newest exhibitions with a guided tour. Associate Curator Robert Shane will lead visitors through “Howard Schwartzberg: Volume, Surface, Core.” Also on view are “mosie romney: ash, whistle & redress” and “Invitation to the Light Factory | Suzan Frecon & Marcella Durand.”

Homecoming Weekend will also mark milestone reunions for several generations of Great Danes. The Class of 1971 will celebrate its 55th reunion, and the Class of 1976 will mark its 50th reunion and induction into UAlbany’s Half-Century Club. Reunion activities continue Saturday evening.

Great Danes Take the Field

The action will move to Tom & Mary Casey Stadium on Saturday when the Great Danes, led by new head coach Tom Perkovich, take on Delaware State at 3:30 p.m. on Bob Ford Field. The University recognize the newest members of the UAlbany Athletics Hall of Fame, the Class of 2026, during the game.

Tailgating begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by the Great Dane Pregame from 1 to 3:15 p.m. The pregame brings alumni and fans together ahead of the Homecoming football game.