'Red, Blue and True': Wildcats past and present to celebrate Homecoming
Thousands of fans are expected for this year's Wildcat for Life Tailgate on Saturday, Nov. 8 on the University of Arizona Mall.
This year's theme of "Red, Blue and True" aims to focus on the bonds that connect students, employees and community members spanning generations.
Homecoming 2025 will bring thousands of Wildcats back to campus Nov. 2-8 for a week celebrating the theme "Red, Blue and True." The festivities begin with the traditional lighting of "A" Mountain and culminate as Arizona takes on Kansas in the Homecoming football game.
"This year's activities really focus on the nostalgia and traditions of the university celebrating what it means to be Wildcats for Life," said Jonelle Vold, senior vice president, alumni engagement and prospect development with the University of Arizona Foundation.
Generations of Wildcats can take part in more than 50 events across campus celebrating belonging and school pride. This year's theme also aligns with Military Appreciation Night, which will be observed alongside Homecoming during the Nov. 8 game.
"Homecoming is a celebration for the entire University of Arizona community – students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends. Everyone is invited to be part of the traditions that make us proud to be Wildcats. It’s a time to come together, honor our shared history and create new memories that connect us across generations," Vold said.
New this year
Highlights of the week include two new events designed to connect Wildcats across generations. "Red, Blue and You: A GOLD Gathering" is tailored to graduates of the last decade, or GOLD alumni, including the approximately 30,000 living in Pima County.
"The event is about starting to build a strong presence for recent alumni," Vold said. "This group represents the future of alumni leadership. They understand what today's students need and what will matter to future graduates."
This year's alumni bonfire pep rally and royalty crowning is set for Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
The Nov. 2 event will include a DJ, a community paint-by-numbers mural led by a student artist and a livestream of the lighting of "A" Mountain.
On Nov. 7, all alumni are invited to the "Alumni All-University Happy Hour" on the Communication building lawn. Vold said the event is designed to unite alumni, faculty and staff across colleges and disciplines.
Show your spirit
The happy hour event is part of organizers' broader effort to encourage faculty and staff to celebrate and participate in Homecoming, both for community building and alumni connections.
"We hope all of our institutional partners see the value of community beyond the institution," Vold said. "We're really trying to have more visibility so that folks can see all the different ways they can be engaging alumni, and alumni can be supporting them at the university."
Vold hopes faculty and staff who are graduates themselves – especially those who are GOLD alumni – will attend or volunteer at the week's events. Highlights of Homecoming week are below.
Red, Blue and You: A GOLD Gathering
Sunday, Nov. 2, 5-8 p.m. | MSA Annex, 267 South Avenida del Convento
Lighting of "A" Mountain
Sunday, Nov. 2, 6-7 p.m. | "A" Mountain
Alumni Welcome Lounge
Wednesday, Nov. 5-7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Swede Johnson Building, 1111 N. Cherry Ave.
50th Class Reunion and Silver and Sage Society Alumni Reception
Thursday, Nov. 6, 5-7 p.m. | Student Union Memorial Center, Kachina Lounge
Marshall Foundation's Bear Down Friday Pep Rally
Friday, Nov. 7, 5-7 p.m. | University Boulevard
Alumni All-University Happy Hour
Friday, Nov. 7, 6-8 p.m. | Communication Building Lawn, 1103 E. University Blvd.
Alumni Bonfire Pep Rally and Royalty Crowning
Friday, Nov. 7, 7-8:30 p.m. | West Side of Old Main
Wildcat for Life Tailgate
Saturday, Nov. 8, Time TBA | University of Arizona Mall
Homecoming Football Game: Arizona vs. Kansas
Saturday, Nov. 8, Time TBA | Arizona Stadium
Homecoming week culminates with the Homecoming football game on Saturday, Nov. 8 against Kansas.
Employees are also encouraged to show their pride and wear Wildcat colors throughout Spirit Week leading up to the Homecoming game. The daily themes are below.
- Monday, Nov. 3: All U of A colors
- Tuesday, Nov. 4: Red Out (wear all red)
- Wednesday, Nov. 5: Blue Out (wear all blue)
- Thursday, Nov. 6: White Out (wear all white)
Friday, Nov. 7 is Wildcat Friday, when fans receive a 25% discount on all University of Arizona logo clothing and gifts at Campus Store locations.
Units and student organizations can take part in a Spirit Week photo contest by submitting photos online by Wednesday, Nov. 5. Alumni will vote on the photos, with the office and student organization receiving the most votes having their picture featured on the big screen during the Homecoming football game.