What is Homecoming?

At some point during your second week, you’re going to pass by some football players in front of the Nest selling tickets to Homecoming.

I’m here to tell you that you should go up to them and buy a ticket or two. Or, head online to buy your tickets anytime. You can also buy tickets at the UBC Bookstore until September 11.

Why? Because whether you’re a first-year student or are in your fourth or fifth year and have yet to go, Homecoming is awesome.

UBC students and alumni cheer on the Thunderbirds football team at Homecoming

Why “Homecoming”? It’s not even the home-opener...

It’s not called Homecoming because it’s welcoming the Thunderbirds football team home. It’s also not named after the Tom Holland Spiderman movie—they stole that from us.

It’s actually called Homecoming because it’s welcoming alumni from UBC’s decades of history back home. In the stands, you’ll see Thunderbird fans and alumni who graduated 20, 30, 40 years ago…all back to cheer on our team.

The UBC Thunderbird mascot running across the field with a flag

UBC President Santa Ono at the Homecoming game

UBC students cheering on the Thunderbirds at Homecoming

Homecoming brings generations of UBC grads and students together to celebrate their time here and their contribution to the fabric of UBC.

Ok but I’m not really into sports TBH

First off, same. Second, it really doesn’t matter. You don’t need to know how many downs it takes to complete a throw or the conversion rate between quarterback and fullback—there’s a lot more to this sports game than meets the eye.

On September 11, the Wednesday before the game, there’s a pep rally on the plaza in front of the Nest and Alumni Centre. Come with some friends, meet some athletes—and you can pick up your ticket there.

Hmm…that sounds fun. Is there stuff like that on the actual day?

The fun doesn’t end on the 11th. On game day—September 14—you can meet up with hundreds of T-bird fans outside the Nest for the Great Thunderbird Trek across campus, and over to the stadium.

UBC students walk to Thunderbird Stadium during the Great Trek

Here’s a rough schedule of the trek:

Pre-party at the Nest (10:00 am to 12:20 pm)
Depart from the Nest (12:20 pm)
Martha Piper Fountain (12:30 pm)
Ponderosa fly-by (12:40 pm)
Marine Drive (12:50)
Totem Park (1:00 pm)
Arrive at the Homecoming Street Party (1:15 pm)

Meet up with the crowd anytime along the way in your best blue-and-gold gear. You’ll end up at the Homecoming Street Party, which happens from 1:00 to 3:00 pm before the game starts! Grab a drink (if you’re of legal age, of course), listen to some sweet live music, shame your friends who didn’t wear any blue or gold, check out some inflatable games (including a bungee run), and grab some free swag from sponsor booths.

With so much going on, it’s no wonder tickets sell fast—be sure to get yours soon so you don’t miss out!

And, of course, if you are a sports fan, then you definitely have something to look forward to on the day!

Now I want to go, but I’m not sure I can afford it

Tickets. Are. $10. For. Students.

Not bad, eh?

If you're looking for something even more affordable, you can purchase $7 field-side tickets that are uncovered—this is a great place to watch the game from, just make sure to bring a waterproof layer in case it rains!

As a UBC student, you become part of an alumni community that comes back year after year to enjoy the game and connect with 10,000 other fans. Start your yearly tradition of going to Homecoming now so when you’re 35 and have 2 kids, they can tag along and see the place you used to (and maybe still do) call home.