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Homecoming is Saturday, Oct. 3. For a full list of events happening that day and the week leading up to it, please view our events calendar.

Homecoming is free and open to the public. There is no RSVP for this event. General admission tickets for the Homecoming football game are available for purchase at the Dix Stadium Box Office or .

Several signature events take place on Homecoming, including the parade, the Flash Nation Tailgate and the football game. A block party, which includes Kiss on the K, takes place before the parade reaches the ����Թ� Student Center.

Events Calendar

Start your day with coffee and a spirited morning on the Student Green outside the ����Թ� Student Center as the Homecoming Parade makes its way down Summit Street.

Can’t make it in person? Catch all the excitement via livestream!

Link Coming Soon!

The Center for Student Involvement organizes the parade and all parade participants must register by Saturday, Sept. 11.

Parade FAQs

This year’s Grand Marshals are all alumni who have previously worked for The ����Թ� Stater, in celebration of the publication’s 100th anniversary. Alumni can register as a Grand Marshal through Friday, Sept. 25.

Kiss on the K is an annual celebration recognizing those couples who met at ����Թ� State. Couples will meet on Risman Plaza and after a ceremonial countdown share a kiss at the place where it all began.

The Flash Nation Tailgate is a completely free event just outside Dix Stadium. Guests can check in on-site for numerous family-friendly activities. A free lunch is also provided. 

General admission tickets for the Homecoming football game are available for purchase at the Dix Stadium Box Office or online. General admission tickets are $25.

Please review athletics’ website for detailed information about how to download and use ����Թ� State Football digital tickets.

����Թ� has announced the implementation of a new Clear Bag Policy for all home ticketed events, beginning this fall with the 2026 football season. The policy is designed to enhance venue security, reduce wait times at entry points and provide a safer environment for fans, guests and student-athletes.

Permitted Bags

Each person will be permitted to bring one of the following into ����Թ� State athletic venues:

1. One clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag not exceeding 12” x 6” x 12”
2. One one-gallon clear plastic ziploc-style bag
3. One small purse or clutch (maximum size 4.5” x 6.5”), permitted after inspection in a designated screening lane
4. Medical equipment and diaper bags (with child) will be permitted after inspection in designated screening lanes

Not Permitted

All other bags will not be allowed inside the venue, including backpacks, large purses, totes and camera bags.

The following items are prohibited:

1.  Aerosol cans
2. Alcohol (not purchased within Dix Stadium)
3. Animals (disability service animals are permitted)
4. Baby strollers
5. Balls
6. Banners or signs
7. Beverages (not purchased within the Dix Stadium)
8. Bottles, containers or thermoses
9. Commercial video/audio equipment and tripods
10. Drugs
11. Fireworks
12. Flags
13. Food and beverages (baby food, formula and/or snacks are permitted if accompanied by an infant; reasonable quantities of allergy or health-related needs are permitted)
14. Hoverboards/skateboards
15. Frisbees
16. Ice chests and coolers
17. Laser pointers
18. Noisemakers including musical instruments and amplified noisemakers such as bullhorns, air horns, etc. (Non-amplified noisemakers such as cow bells, thunder sticks, vuvuzela horns, etc. are permitted)
19. Picnic baskets
20. TV/radio without headphones
21. Weapons (including pepper spray and knives/blades of any length)
22. Any item(s) deemed hazardous by game management, security and police

Yes, tailgating is permitted as long as guests abide by the following rules:

1. Stadium parking lots open three hours prior to game time.
2. All tailgating activities in the Dix Stadium parking areas are subject to the laws and regulations of the State of Ohio and ����Թ� policy.
3. Tailgate hosts are responsible for their functions and guests.
4. Charcoal grills are encouraged for tailgating and used coals can be disposed of in the indicated red trash cans in the tailgating areas.
5. Propane tanks, glass and kegs are not permitted in stadium lots.
6. Tailgating activities should not take up vacant parking spaces or interfere with traffic flow within stadium parking lots.

All parking lots surrounding the ����Թ� Student Center are free and open to the public on Saturday. Portions of Summit Street and Loop Road will be closed from 10 a.m. throughout the duration of the parade, so please plan accordingly. 

Limited parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at Dix Stadium for $20 per car, cash only. Parking will be charged beginning at 11:30 a.m. Portions of Summit Street may be closed as early as 12:30 p.m., so please plan accordingly.

Yes, RVs can park at the stadium with a $30 fee upon arrival, cash only. All spots are first-come, first-served.

Yes, all campus parking lots are available for free on Saturday, except for Dix Stadium.

PARTA buses will be running directly between the ����Թ� Student Center and Dix Stadium at the conclusion of the parade. Fans may park in any of the campus lots along Summit Street for free. Fans can also safely walk along the Portage Hike and Bike Trail. Wheelchair accessible shuttles are also available.

There are many dining options available on campus, but please note the Student Center is the only on-campus dining location to accept cash.

On-campus Dining Locations/Hours

There are also many dining options available in downtown ����Թ�.

The ����Թ� Hotel & Conference Center is the most convenient hotel for campus visitors.

Numerous other hotels are located in ����Թ�, Akron and Streetsboro area.

No, campus tours are not available on Saturday. However, you can tour campus at your own pace by downloading ����Թ� State’s self-guided campus tour app. 

Download App

No, unfortunately you cannot visit any residence hall for the security of current students.

Beyond our signature events, there are numerous places to visit on campus.

May 4 Visitors Center

����Թ� Museum

Student Recreation and Wellness Center

Ice Arena

Main Street ����Թ� plans and promotes numerous events within the city of ����Թ�. Please view their website for additional happenings.

Wear your ����Թ� State blue and gold gear. The football team will be wearing their powder blue uniforms for this game. Homecoming is hosted rain or shine, so make sure you dress for the weather.

Yes, all events are accessible and include ADA seating options and restrooms. Please contact us at events@kent.edu for additional information.

In the case of severe weather, events may be delayed or cancelled. Follow our social media accounts and opt-in to text messages for up-to-date information as it becomes available.

If you have misplaced an item, please go to the Dix Stadium Ticket Office on the west side of the stadium or call the main line at 330-672-4455 and leave a message. Unclaimed items will be moved to the ticket office in the MAC Center. Any items not picked up within 48 hours of the event are turned in to campus police. Their number is 330-672-3070.

• Alumni: 330-672-5368 or events@kent.edu
• Athletics: 330-672-2244 or athleticstickets@kent.edu
• Center for Student Involvement: 330-672-2480 or csi@kent.edu
• University Events and Protocol: 330-672-2235 or universityevents@kent.edu

In the case of an emergency, dial 911. If you have a non-emergency need, you can contact ����Թ� State Police Services at 330-672-2212.