The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Game Day Guide: East Carolina, October 15
10/11/2026 9:35:00 AM | Football
Homecoming: UAB vs. East Carolina
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 6:30 p.m. CT | ESPN | Protective Stadium
Theme: Homecoming | Entitlement Sponsor: Legacy Credit Union
Welcome Home, Blazers
Homecoming returns to Protective Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 15, as UAB hosts East Carolina in a nationally televised American Conference matchup presented by Legacy Credit Union.This year's Homecoming theme, "Blaze the Seas," takes center stage as the Blazers welcome the Pirates to Birmingham for a full day of festivities beginning on campus and continuing into Uptown and Protective Stadium.
The celebration will include the annual UAB Homecoming Parade, student tailgating, Blazer Village, the arrival of ESPN's SportsCenter on Campus, Blazer Walk and a full slate of Homecoming recognitions and entertainment inside Protective Stadium.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, wear green and take part in a full day of Homecoming activities before kickoff at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Shop at the UAB Bookstore and the UAB Football Team Store!
Game At A Glance
| Opponent | East Carolina |
| Date | Thursday, Oct. 15 |
| Kickoff | 6:30 p.m. CT |
| Television | ESPN |
| Theme | Homecoming |
| Entitlement Sponsor | Legacy Credit Union |
| Venue | Protective Stadium |
Homecoming Game Day
The celebration begins well before kickoff, with several UAB Homecoming traditions taking place throughout the day.The UAB Homecoming Parade and Float Competition begins at noon on campus. The parade starts on 14th Street South between University Boulevard and 10th Avenue South before concluding on University Boulevard at 14th Street South.
The Blazer Spirit Student Tailgate begins downtown near Protective Stadium.
Fans can find a complete schedule of Homecoming Week events at the UAB Homecoming website.
SportsCenter on Campus Comes to UAB
For the first time, ESPN's SportsCenter on Campus is coming to Birmingham.ESPN personalities Matt Barrie and Chase Daniel will host SportsCenter live outside Protective Stadium from 4-4:30 p.m. CT, showcasing the atmosphere surrounding UAB Homecoming and the Blazers' nationally televised matchup against East Carolina.
Blazer fans and UAB students are encouraged to arrive early, wear green and pack the area around the SportsCenter set to showcase Blazer Nation to a national television audience.
The appearance adds another national spotlight to Homecoming Thursday before UAB and East Carolina kick off at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Before Kickoff
Make BlazerGameDay.com your first stop before heading to Protective Stadium. The site features the latest game day updates, kickoff timelines, parking information, stadium policies and more.Blazer Village – Opens at 2:30 p.m.
Blazer Village, UAB Athletics' official pregame fan fest, opens outside Protective Stadium at 2:30 p.m. and will feature live music, interactive activities, sponsor activations and plenty of Homecoming atmosphere.
Homecoming festivities include:
- Inflatables
- Live music from Chase Stewart, presented by The Fennec
- Bud Light Beer Garden
- Blaze's Home Field Collection: "Blaze the Seas"
- Games, fan activities and sponsor activations
Blazer Express Shuttle Service
Complimentary Blazer Express shuttles are available to UAB students and the general public.Fans may park free of charge in the 12th Street Parking Deck and board the shuttle at the Hill Student Center. Service runs continuously to Protective Stadium and continues for one hour following the game.
Visit BlazerGameDay.com for complete shuttle information and schedules.
Blazer Walk – approx. 4:05 pm
The road to kickoff continues with Blazer Walk, as fans line Uptown alongside the UAB Marching Blazers, spirit teams and fellow supporters to welcome the team to Protective Stadium.Fans are encouraged to arrive early, find a spot along the route and give the Blazers a Homecoming welcome as the team makes its way into the stadium.
Special Ticket Offers
Kids 12 & Under FREEBring the entire family to Protective Stadium for Homecoming.
Kids ages 12 and under receive FREE admission to UAB's matchup against East Carolina. Fans can redeem the offer online using promo code U12FREE and must purchase at least one reserved ticket through the promotion to receive complimentary youth tickets.
The promo code is valid until 2:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, Oct. 15.
After the online promotion expires, families can still take advantage of the offer at the Protective Stadium box office by purchasing at least one reserved ticket.
Fans may also contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1 for assistance.
UAB Employee Appreciation
UAB Athletics is proud to recognize the faculty and staff who help make the university thrive.
UAB employees can access an exclusive Homecoming ticket offer through FEVO. Employees, keep and eye on the eReporter and internal campus communications for complete information on how to take advantage of the offer.
For additional information, contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1 or tickets@uab.edu.
UAB Students Get In Free
UAB students receive admission to all home football games at no cost through their mobile student ticket.
Students are encouraged to download and save their mobile student ticket before heading to Protective Stadium.
Homecoming Week Traditions
Homecoming festivities begin well before Thursday's game, with traditions and competitions taking place throughout campus during the week.Gurney Derby
One of UAB's most distinctive traditions returns Wednesday, Oct. 14, with the Gurney Derby.
A Homecoming favorite since 1994, teams of four race while pushing a passenger on a real hospital gurney. Awards recognize not only the fastest teams but also creative gurneys, passengers and more.
Blazer Showdown
Student organizations will bring the "Blaze the Seas" theme to life during Blazer Showdown, UAB's annual Homecoming dance and skit competition, Wednesday evening on the Campus Green.
The week culminates Thursday with the Homecoming Parade and UAB Football's matchup against East Carolina.
In-Game Features
Light Up ProtectiveFans arriving at Protective Stadium will have an opportunity to pick up a foam "Go Blazers" light baton, available while supplies last.
Help light up Protective Stadium and create a Homecoming atmosphere for the nationally televised matchup.
Student Giveaway
UAB students can receive a replica UAB jersey at the beginning of the third quarter in the Student Plaza above the student section, courtesy of Pepsi and Gang Green, while supplies last.
Students are encouraged to arrive early.
Family Fun Zone
Looking for fun for the youngest members of Blazer Nation? Visit the Family Fun Zone on the north end of the stadium concourse, opposite the student section.
The Homecoming edition of the Family Fun Zone will feature inflatables along with a special halftime meet-and-greet with members of the UAB men's and women's basketball teams.
The Family Fun Zone is free for children to enjoy with a completed waiver.
Gridiron Great: Grayson Cash
Former UAB safety and Trussville native Grayson Cash returns to Protective Stadium as the Homecoming Gridiron Great.
Cash, a member of the UAB Class of 2022, was part of one of the most successful eras in program history and will be welcomed back and recognized during Thursday night's game.
Grayson will have a meet-and-greet in Blazer Village at the marketing tent following Blazer Walk.
UAB Basketball Takes the Stage
With basketball season approaching, members of the UAB men's and women's basketball programs will be recognized during the game as the Blazers look ahead to another season at Bartow Arena.
Single-game basketball tickets go on sale Oct. 22.
Members of both teams will also visit the Family Fun Zone during halftime for a special meet-and-greet with young Blazer fans.
Miss UAB Recognition
UAB softball student-athlete McKinley Hubbard, the reigning Miss UAB, will be recognized during the game as part of the Homecoming celebration.
Homecoming Competition Winners
Winners from UAB's Homecoming campus competitions will be recognized inside Protective Stadium as the university celebrates the creativity, spirit and participation that make Homecoming Week a signature UAB tradition.
$5 Domestics
Fans ages 21 and older can enjoy $5 domestic beers stadium-wide throughout the game.
Homecoming Halftime
Homecoming takes center stage at halftime.The winners and first alternates of the Mr. and Ms. UAB Scholarship Competition will be announced, continuing one of the university's signature Homecoming traditions.
The UAB Marching Blazers will also perform their Homecoming halftime show, "Ritmo y Fuego" ("Rhythm and Fire"), featuring jazz and popular music with a Spanish flair.
Fan Checklist
Start With the ParadeBegin Homecoming Thursday on campus with the UAB Homecoming Parade at noon before making your way toward Protective Stadium.
Arrive Early for SportsCenter
Help show the country what Blazer Nation looks like.
SportsCenter on Campus airs live from 4-4:30 p.m. CT outside Protective Stadium, so fans are encouraged to arrive early and help create the atmosphere around the set.
Visit Blazer Village
Enjoy live music from Chase Stewart, inflatables, the Bud Light Beer Garden, "Blaze the Seas" merchandise and other fan activities beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Wear Green
Homecoming is one of the biggest Blazer celebrations of the year. Wear green and help create a Homecoming atmosphere inside Protective Stadium for a national ESPN audience.
Bring the Family
With kids 12 and under admitted free, the Family Fun Zone, inflatables and basketball meet-and-greet, Homecoming Thursday offers plenty for young Blazer fans.
Know Before You Go
Parking InformationVisit BlazerGameDay.com for the latest parking information, stadium entry details and game day updates.
Fans are encouraged to review parking information before arriving downtown and allow additional time due to the Homecoming festivities and weekday traffic.
Football Email Updates
Stay connected with Blazer Football throughout the season by subscribing to receive exclusive news, promotions, ticket offers and game day information.
Sign up here.
Mobile Tickets
Fans are encouraged to download and save their mobile tickets before arriving at Protective Stadium to ensure a smooth entry experience.
Stadium Policies
Review the list of prohibited items and other stadium policies before game day at BlazerGameDay.com.
By The Numbers
| Number | Why It Matters |
| 12:00 | Homecoming Parade begins on campus |
| 2:30 | Blazer Village opens outside Protective Stadium |
| 4:00 | SportsCenter on Campus begins live outside Protective Stadium |
| 6:30 | Kickoff between UAB and East Carolina on ESPN |
| 1994 | First year of UAB's Homecoming Gurney Derby tradition |
| 12 | Age and under admitted free with the Kids 12 & Under promotion |
| 1st | SportsCenter on Campus visit to Birmingham |
See You At Protective
Homecoming Thursday brings together everything that makes UAB special.From the annual Homecoming Parade and student festivities on campus to SportsCenter on Campus, Blazer Village and Blazer Walk outside Protective Stadium, the celebration builds throughout the day before the Blazers and Pirates take center stage on national television.
Arrive early, wear green and help showcase Blazer Nation as UAB hosts East Carolina at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Tickets are available now for UAB vs. East Carolina. Fans can purchase tickets online or contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1 or tickets@uab.edu for additional information.
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