Special Edition – Niner Nation Week returns to campus!

September 25, 2026

Categories: Niner Insider

Get Ready for Niner Nation Week: Homecoming 2026!

Niner Nation Week: Homecoming 2026 brings students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends together for a week of events, traditions and celebrations across campus and throughout Charlotte. Explore what’s happening and start planning your Niner Nation Week.

From campus traditions and free treats to events around the Queen City, the week builds toward Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 3, when Charlotte takes on Memphis at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Explore Niner Nation Week and see the full schedule

KICKOFF: FACULTY AND STAFF

Kick off Niner Nation Week with events that energize and excite everyone on campus – and set the tone for a week overflowing with Niner pride!

Festival in the Park: Find Niner Nation while enjoying one of Charlotte’s signature community events Sept. 25 – 27 at Freedom Park.
Bachata Brunch: Enjoy brunch, music and dancing from 11 a.m to 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27, at the Harris Alumni Center. This is a ticketed event.
49er Ace Luncheon: Attend the 49er ACE Awards and Appreciation Luncheon for a celebration of the connections and contributions of the 49er campus employees from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 28, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340.
Kickoff: Step away from the office and join the campus-wide Niner Nation Week kickoff celebration and enjoy Krispy Kreme’s branded truck and 49 dozen free doughnuts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Cauble Quad.
Creative Mornings: Connect with Charlotte’s broader creative community from 8 to 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 2, in the Popp Martin Student Union.
Homecoming Carnival: The 49th Acre will transform for one of the biggest events of the week with a Ferris wheel, rides, games, inflatables, music and more from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2.

KICKOFF: STUDENTS

Festival in the Park: Find Niner Nation while enjoying one of Charlotte’s signature community events Sept. 25 – 27 at Freedom Park.
Bachata Brunch: Enjoy brunch, music and dancing from 11 a.m to 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27, at the Harris Alumni Center. This is a ticketed event.
Paint the Campus Green: Decorate and paint the campus green from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, Sept. 28, at the Popp Martin Student Union.
Kickoff: Join the campus-wide Niner Nation Week kickoff celebration and enjoy Krispy Kreme’s branded truck with 49 dozen free doughnuts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Cauble Quad.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION: FACULTY AND STAFF

A group of people in green apparel pose together at a bar, smiling and making hand gestures.

Join fellow Niners for food and conversation at social events around the Charlotte area!

Hi-Wire Brewing Social: 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 28
OMB Ballantyne Social: 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29
Sammy’s Pub Social: 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 30
Cabarrus Brewing Co. Social: 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1
Uptown Live at Truist Center Plaza: 5 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1
Waterbean Coffee Social: 8 to 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 2
Game day giveback: Shop the green and gold game day Kendra Scott collection at SouthPark, Saturday, Sept. 26, and Birkdale Village, Saturday, Oct. 3, with game day giveaways and a 20% giveback benefiting the Reed Parlier Memorial Foundation with code GIVEBACK-REED2026.
Green light specials: Eat, drink and shop your way through Niner Nation Week with specials, discounts and giveaways from Niner-owned businesses and hometown favorites.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: STUDENTS

Connect with fellow Niners and the Charlotte community at events on and off campus!

Blood drive: Give back during Homecoming week with The Blood Connection from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, in Cone Center, Lucas Room.
Block party: Celebrate Homecoming week off campus with thrifting, food and community from 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 30, at The Shoppes at University Place.
Creative Mornings: Connect with Charlotte’s broader creative community from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 2, in the Popp Martin Student Union.
Game day giveback: Shop the green and gold game day Kendra Scott collection at SouthPark, Saturday, Sept. 26, and Birkdale Village, Saturday, Oct. 3, with game day giveaways and a 20% giveback benefiting the Reed Parlier Memorial Foundation with code GIVEBACK-REED2026.
Green light specials: Eat, drink and shop your way through Niner Nation Week with specials, discounts and giveaways from Niner-owned businesses and hometown favorites.

MUSIC, GAMES & SPIRIT: STUDENTS

Sustain Homecoming excitement with music, friendly competition and plenty of Niner pride!

T-shirt swap: Got an old T-shirt you don’t wear anymore? Bring it to the Niner Nation Week T-Shirt Swap and trade it in for a new UNC Charlotte T-shirt from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Popp Martin Student Union.
Aux Cord Wars: Watch Niners battle to see who has the best playlist from 8 to 10 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, at Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340.
Homecoming Carnival: The 49th Acre will transform for one of the biggest events of the week with a Ferris wheel, rides, games, inflatables, music and more from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2.
NPHC Homecoming Stroll: Don’t miss this Homecoming tradition at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, in the Popp Martin Student Union. This event always sells out; get your ticket while you can!

GAME DAY TRADITIONS: faculty and staff

The day we’ve been waiting for! Get loud, gear up and cheer on the 49ers for a green-filled Homecoming game day!

Alumni tailgate: Enjoy food, drinks and camaraderie before the big game at the Hauser Alumni Pavilion. This is a ticketed event.
Meet NASCAR champion: Before kickoff, meet Layne Riggs ’24 for autographs and photos and see the Charlotte-branded No. 34 truck he drove to victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.
Charlotte 49ers Football vs. Memphis: Wear all green as the 49ers take on the Memphis Tigers for the 2026 Homecoming Game at 3:30 p.m. at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

game day traditions: students

The day we’ve been waiting for! Get loud, gear up and cheer on the 49ers for a green-filled Homecoming game day.

Homecoming Spirit Tents: Stop by the Homecoming Spirit Tents for temporary tattoos, stickers, face paint and more, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the 49th Acre.
Meet NASCAR champion: Before kickoff, meet Layne Riggs ’24 for autographs and photos and see the Charlotte-branded No. 34 truck he drove to victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.
Charlotte 49ers Football vs. Memphis: Wear all green as the 49ers take on the Memphis Tigers for the 2026 Homecoming Game at 3:30 p.m. at Jerry Richardson Stadium.