A Guide To TSU Homecoming 2026

It’s TSU Homecoming in Nashville if you didn’t know.

Of course, our love for Tennessee State University (TSU)is real and the best time of the year for this honored HBCU is right around the corner. We’re talking homecoming!! Nashville has over 100+ people moving to the city each day and we thought it only fitting to help newbies navigate this fun-filled experience. It is definitely a time where it doesn’t matter if you graduated from TSU, went for that one semester and had a little too much fun, pursued your MBA, your parents are graduates or you’re a Nashville native who grew up going to the parade every year. We connected with several TSU folks to create this guide and hope good times at homecoming are had by all.

First things, first…make sure to check out our Urbaanite Nashville Directory to ensure you hit up the spots to know and support while you are in the city.

THIS YEAR’S HOMECOMING: OCTOBER 11-18, 2026 – Your Week. Your Way.

THE EVENTS + DAY + NIGHT PARTIES:

• Click here for the official TSU Schedule of Events
• Click here for our curated list of Parties + Events

THE PRE-GAME:

Leading up to homecoming week, alumni and students start sharing their excitement and forecasting the type of amazing week they are sure to have. We think the lead up can be just as dope as the actual week. Just follow the hashtags to get yourself going.

• #tsuhomecoming
• #tsutigers
• #tsunewsroom
• #bigbluerising

THE GAME:

• Saturday, October 17, 2025 at 5:30pm at Nissan Stadium – One Titans Way, Nashville, TN 37213
• Tickets can be purchased here

Game day is what the whole week basically leads up to. Their fans are always cheering them on whether they win or lose. Older alumni are usually all about the game and younger alumni are usually all about walking the stadium and catching up with friends. This year TSU will play Howard University in a highly anticipated game and weekend full of alumni from both schools coming into Nashville. 

NOTE: Nissan Stadium is currently under a whole, whole lot of construction (Nashville is getting a new stadium for those that didn’t know). Parking is a little different, and additional walking may be involved depending on the lot. You can check out best ways to get to Nissan Stadium here. Rideshare is highly encouraged, but note: there may be an extended time waiting for your pickup after the game. Additionally, paying for your parking in advance may also be the move. Note: pickup for UBER and Lyft are not in the same location.

THE TAILGATING:

It goes down at TSU’s homecoming game tailgate. The game is held on Saturday night, but tailgating will get started as early as 9:00am. Tailgating will also look a little different this year, due to the construction of the new Titans stadium. You can check out details HERE.

There are so many folks that set up their grills, trailers, RV’s and tents for the day and it is ahhhhmazing. The vibe is always cool, as everyone is there to truly reconnect with old and new friends, eat some great food, sip on a few drinks, watch the game goers fashion show (it’s serious business) and just take in the magic of the whole day. Heck, many enjoy tailgating so much that they may never make it into the actual game. 

THE HALFTIME SHOW:

The halftime show by the TSU Artistocrat of Bands is what everyone in the stadium is waiting for. They “show out” every year, and really, there is nothing like watching the band perform. From the drum majors, sophisticated ladies (the band’s Marjorette team), percussions to brass, the band has a legacy of greatness and never disappoints.

• The TSU Aristocrat of Bands was  invited to the White House to perform during the opening ceremonies for the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

photo by Tennessee State Newsroom

THE PEP RALLY + FISH FRY:

This on-campus event is normally held on Friday and definitely reserved for current students, alumni, and faculty. It’s like a “reunited and it feels so good” moment every year. Usually people are in town at this point and ready to get their weekend started. Feel good vibes are high and everyone is super excited for the weekend festivities and seeing folks they haven’t seen in a while. Plus, the Fish Fry also happens on this date and it is one not to miss. Who doesn’t love a good ole whiting fish sammich!

• William Jasper Hale Stadium, 3500 John A Merritt Blvd, Nashville, TN

photo by Tennessee State Newsroom

THE PARADE:

Good old family and friends time sums up this staple experience. The parade is always the Saturday before the homecoming game and held on historic Jefferson St. in North Nashville. Starting at around 10th Ave., the parade processional goes all the way to TSU’s campus. From high school dance teams and marching bands, local area businesses, sororities/fraternities to campus organizations and of course the homecoming and SGA court are all a part of the morning’s festivities. 

• The parade normally starts at 9:00am on Saturday. We recommend getting there early as street parking fills up quick and seasoned parade goers already know where they are going to plant their folding chairs.

photo by Tennessee State Newsroom

THE LINGO:

To get in on the TSU homecoming experience is to be all about the chants, sayings and alma mater. Expect to hear any one of these sayings plus more during the week and join if you feel the spirit.

• Get geeked, get geeked it’s homecoming week
• TS-TS-TSU
• I’m sooooo glad, I go to TSU
• In the land of golden sunshine….By the Cumberland’s fertile shore….Stands a school for greater service….One that we adore  (alma mater intro)

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last updated September 30, 2026