What is your memory of Homecoming?
Maybe it was watching the parade wind through Pocatello when you were a kid, warming your hands by the bonfire on a crisp October evening, cheering from the stands during a Bengal football victory with the rest of your roommates, or making the walk up Red Hill to meet someone special.
Some traditions have been part of the Idaho State experience for generations. Others are new, giving today’s students and tomorrow’s alumni traditions of their own.
For more than a century, Homecoming has brought campus and community together. As Idaho State celebrates its 125th anniversary, we’re honoring the moments that bring Bengals back together and celebrating new ways to be part of the tradition.
The Bonfire
A crowd wearing orange and black gathers as the ISU Cheerleaders and Bengal Dancers perform, the football coach rallies the crowd, and the lighting of the flames signals that Homecoming has officially begun.
NEW THIS YEAR
Start the evening with the Pre-Bonfire Ice Cream Social at the ICCU Bengal Alumni Center before heading out to the fire. It’s a chance to gather with fellow Bengals, enjoy a sweet treat and start the celebration together.
Game Day
From the parade through Pocatello to pregame tailgating with buddies and cheering from the stands, game day is the central feature of our Homecoming spirit.
The parade remains one of the week’s most recognizable traditions, with marching bands, floats, student organizations, community groups and local families lining the streets to celebrate before folks move to the ICCU Dome for tailgating before the game.
NEW THIS YEAR
We’re introducing an Alumni Passport, giving attendees another way to explore events, participate throughout the week, and celebrate their Bengal connection.
Iconic Symbols & Places
Built in 1927, the Red Hill “I” has welcomed Bengals home for nearly a century. It has overlooked first days of class, commencements, homecomings and countless walks across campus.
The Red Hill Pillars have their own place in Bengal lore. They’ve served as the backdrop for countless photos and the legendary “True Bengal” tradition. According to legend, if you kiss your sweetheart at midnight at the pillars on Red Hill, you’re destined to stay together forever.
NEW THIS YEAR
Some things are worth keeping exactly as they are. The best traditions don’t need to be reinvented, they just need another generation of Bengals to experience them.
Homecoming 2026, Oct 5-10
While Homecoming traditions connect us to the past, each year brings new opportunities to create memories of our own. This year’s celebration includes new ways for students, alumni, families and friends to connect, including our student and alumni mixer that will be held on Thursday, October 8.
Whether you’re returning to campus, reconnecting with old friends or experiencing Homecoming for the first time, there are more ways than ever to be part of the celebration.
Visit www.isu.edu/homecoming to explore the full Homecoming schedule, event details, and registration.
Looking Back | 1970
The First One of Its Kind
The ASISU Minidome opened its doors to fans on September 26, 1970. It was renamed Holt Arena in 1988 to honor coach “Dubby” Holt’s vision. In 2021, a major renovation upgraded the facility and it was renamed the ICCU Dome in 2024. It was the first-ever enclosed stadium on a college campus.