MTSU Homecoming 2026: WKU Game, Parade and Bailey Zimmerman Concert

MTSU Homecoming 2026 runs Nov. 2-7 with the theme "Blue Raider Country: Meet me at Camp Blue." The parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, and the Blue Raiders host WKU at 2:30 p.m. The first Live at MTSU concert is Nov. 5 at Murphy Center with Bailey Zimmerman and Waka Flocka Flame.

Middle Tennessee State University's Homecoming 2026 falls on Saturday, November 7, with the Blue Raiders hosting WKU at Floyd Stadium. This year the week also brings something new: a ticketed concert at Murphy Center headlined by country star Bailey Zimmerman, the first show in MTSU Athletics' Live at MTSU series.

Homecoming Theme and Dates

Homecoming week runs Monday, Nov. 2, through Saturday, Nov. 7, with the rustic theme "Blue Raider Country: Meet me at Camp Blue," according to MTSU News. The Student Government Association and the MTSU Alumni Association organize the week, which builds to the parade and football game on Saturday, Nov. 7.

MTSU News lists this schedule:

• Monday, Nov. 2: Paint the Halls Blue, 1 to 4:30 p.m. around campus, with departments decorating in Camp Blue style (judging begins Nov. 3); the Camp Blue Bash, 5 to 8 p.m. in Walnut Grove and the James Union Building, with music, dancing, games and a haunted house in the JUB.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3: Lightning's Campfire Cookoff, the annual chili and mac and cheese competition for departments and student groups, 5 to 7 p.m., Student Union Commons.
• Wednesday, Nov. 4: Kickback on the Sun Deck, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Campus Recreation Center, with an outdoor movie and activities. MTSU suggests bringing blankets or camp chairs.
• Thursday, Nov. 5: the Horseshoe Pursuit scavenger hunt all day across campus through Instagram at @MTSUhomecoming; "Weaving History Strand by Strand," a 4:30 p.m. talk on Victorian hair work by Jody Johnson of Oaklands Mansion in Walker Library, Room 444; and the Live at MTSU concert at Murphy Center.
• Friday, Nov. 6: the Golden Raiders Reunion for the Class of 1976 (9:30 a.m.) and the Alumni Awards Reception (4 p.m.), both in the Sam Ingram Building; a Social Work 50th Anniversary Reception, 5 to 7 p.m., Academic Classroom Building; the Blue Raider Sports Hall of Fame Induction, 6 p.m. at Floyd Stadium (registration required); the National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show, 7 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom ($10 tickets); and the MTSU Black Alumni Society's Alumni Homecoming Party, 8 p.m. to midnight in the JUB (tickets required).
• Saturday, Nov. 7: the Homecoming Parade at 10 a.m., alumni tailgating in Walnut Grove and the 2:30 p.m. game against WKU.

The Game: MTSU vs. WKU, Nov. 7

The Blue Raiders host Conference USA rival WKU at 2:30 p.m. at Floyd Stadium, with the game on an ESPN platform, according to the Conference USA schedule MTSU Athletics published. See the game listing, the Floyd Stadium guide and the full MTSU football schedule.

Before kickoff, the Homecoming edition of Party in the Grove starts at 11:30 a.m. in Walnut Grove. MTSU News lists the Raider Walk at noon, a 12:30 p.m. performance by singer-songwriter Grace Leer, who appeared on "American Idol," and the Follow Me to Floyd march at 2 p.m. The Alumni Association's Tailgate BBQ Lunch, with Slick Pig barbecue, runs 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Walnut Grove tent (tickets required).

Through its first five games, MTSU was 2-3, according to MTSU Athletics. The Blue Raiders beat Murray State 38-14 and Nevada 27-20, and lost at Marshall 28-26, at Jacksonville State 23-13 in the Conference USA opener on Sept. 26, and at Kansas 55-0 on Oct. 3. Home games after mid-October include Kennesaw State on Oct. 28, WKU on Nov. 7 and New Mexico State on Nov. 28.

Homecoming Parade Route

The Homecoming Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, according to MTSU News. It begins on East Main Street at Maney Avenue, continues along East Main, turns left onto Middle Tennessee Boulevard, and ends before Greenland Drive. The SGA says the best viewing spots are before Faulkinberry Drive, and its rule book notes that parade times are subject to change if Conference USA moves the game's kickoff. Community members, groups and businesses can register to join the lineup.

The Alumni Association hosts a Mixer on Middle Parade Watch Party starting at 9:30 a.m. at 2259 Middle Tennessee Blvd., with music, souvenir photos and bounce houses, and Middle Tennessee Electric serving grilled cheese. MTSU says no reservations are needed, and parking is in the back Ingram lot.

Live at MTSU: Bailey Zimmerman and Waka Flocka Flame, Nov. 5

MTSU Athletics announced the Live at MTSU concert series on Sept. 8, presented with Nashville concert promoter NVRDUL Events. The first show is Thursday, Nov. 5, at Murphy Center, during Homecoming week, with:

• Bailey Zimmerman
• Waka Flocka Flame
• Miller Holler
• Dee Jay Silver

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m., according to MTSU Athletics. The SGA's Homecoming rule book links to Ticketmaster for tickets. Pre-sales opened Sept. 9 for Blue Raider Athletic Association members and season ticket holders and Sept. 10 for MTSU students, with the general public sale starting Sept. 11. See the concert listing and the Murphy Center guide.

"Our planned renovations to Murphy Center and Floyd Stadium, made possible through state and private funding, will make these venues even more attractive for such events," MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said in the announcement. MTSU says Murphy Center renovations are set to begin in 2027.

Athletics Director Chris Massaro said the university is "thrilled to kick things off with one of country music's biggest stars in Bailey Zimmerman during Homecoming Weekend." MTSU and NVRDUL say more concerts and events will be announced.

Planning a Homecoming Visit

Returning alumni can find places to eat near campus in the best restaurants guide, places to stay in the Murfreesboro hotels guide, and more about the university in the MTSU guide. The following Saturday, Nov. 14, the first Rutherford County Veterans Day Parade starts at MTSU and heads down Main Street to the Square.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is MTSU Homecoming 2026?

MTSU Homecoming week runs Nov. 2-7, 2026. The parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, and the Blue Raiders host WKU at 2:30 p.m. that day at Floyd Stadium. The week opens with the Camp Blue Bash in Walnut Grove on Monday, Nov. 2.

What is the MTSU Homecoming 2026 theme?

The 2026 theme is "Blue Raider Country: Meet me at Camp Blue," a rustic, camp-style theme, according to MTSU News.

When is the Bailey Zimmerman concert at MTSU?

Bailey Zimmerman headlines Live at MTSU on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, at Murphy Center with Waka Flocka Flame, Miller Holler and Dee Jay Silver. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

How do I get Live at MTSU tickets?

Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster. General public sales began Sept. 11, 2026.

What time is the MTSU Homecoming parade?

The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, according to MTSU News. The SGA notes the time could change if the game's kickoff moves.

What is the MTSU Homecoming parade route?

The parade starts on East Main Street at Maney Avenue, follows East Main, turns left onto Middle Tennessee Boulevard and ends before Greenland Drive, according to MTSU News.

Where is the best place to watch the MTSU Homecoming parade?

The SGA says the best viewing spots are along the route before Faulkinberry Drive. The Alumni Association's Mixer on Middle Parade Watch Party starts at 9:30 a.m. at 2259 Middle Tennessee Blvd., with no reservations needed and parking in the back Ingram lot.

Sources: MTSU News: Blue Raiders are finding their way to Camp Blue for Homecoming 2026, MTSU News: MTSU Athletics launches Live at MTSU concert series, GoBlueRaiders: Live at MTSU announcement, MTSU SGA: Homecoming, MTSU SGA: 2026 Homecoming Rule Book (PDF), GoBlueRaiders: CUSA announces 2026 game times and TV and the MTSU 2026 football schedule.