Homecoming 2026 preparations underway as students react to concert lineup 

By Cameron Speed and Vivienne Hall 

Preparations are underway for Homecoming 2026, with a week of concerts, entertainment, athletic events and campus traditions planned to bring students, alumni and visitors together.

While university officials finalize preparations for the celebration, students have expressed mixed reactions to the announced homecoming concert lineup, with some disappointed by the selection of performers and others looking forward to the festivities.

Sharrone Godfrey, director of the Center for Student Involvement, said preparations for Homecoming 2026 began shortly after last year’s celebration, with planning meetings scheduled as early as December 2025 and January 2026.

“We’ve reached out to partners, sponsors and different schools to ensure that everyone is on target for participation in Homecoming,” Godfrey said. “We’re contacting artists and agents, getting everything secured, crossing our T’s and dotting our I’s, and making sure everything is on point for Homecoming 2026.”

While students may be focused on what they will wear and which events they will attend, university administrators, student organizations and athletics have been working behind the scenes to prepare for the celebration.

One of the most anticipated announcements leading up to homecoming was the concert lineup.

Before the announcement, students shared predictions and hopes for who would take the stage, naming artists such as Monaleo, Drake, Rod Wave, Queen Key, Mariah the Scientist and Beyoncé.

After about an hour of anticipation on Oct. 16, Xavier revealed the performers: NASGOTNEXT, SICKASXXGEO and Bunna B. However, the announcement disappointed some students, several of whom said they were unfamiliar with the selected artists.

For future homecoming concerts, Jones suggested artists such as Queen Key, Monaleo and Vickeelo. She said bringing in more recognizable performers could generate greater excitement among students and better reflect their musical interests.

Student Government Association President Mya Booth and Godfrey provided insight into how homecoming performers are selected.

According to Booth and Godfrey, members of the Student Government Association (SGA) help develop a list of approximately 10 to 15 potential artists. Booking agents then provide information about performers’ availability and pricing, allowing organizers to select artists within the available budget.

The budget for booking this year’s homecoming performers was not disclosed. However, last year’s artist budget ranged from $100,000 to $115,000, when Mariah the Scientist was the headlining performer.

Booth explained that the student activities budget is divided among various campus organizations and programs. The amount available is influenced partly by student enrollment, and the university must distribute funding across multiple student groups.

Although outside sponsorships are possible, fundraising efforts must go through the university’s Office of Institutional Advancement.

Despite the mixed reactions to the concert lineup, homecoming will feature several other events throughout the week.

The Greenbook Comedy Tour is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. in the Administration Auditorium, offering students and other members of the Xavier community another opportunity to participate in the celebration.

“Bringing the Patio Back to the Yard: Calling All the Greeks — Who Will Run the Yard?” is scheduled for Nov. 6 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on the University Center Lawn. The event will bring students and Greek organizations together for a campus celebration.

Homecoming will also bring Xavier alumni together for the Homecoming Banquet, scheduled for Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. at the InterContinental Hotel. The banquet will provide an opportunity for alumni and other members of the Xavier community to reconnect and celebrate the university.

Athletics will also play a major role in homecoming, with basketball games featuring Xavier’s Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush.

Sean Brown, a mass communication major from Baton Rouge and a member of the Gold Rush basketball team, said the team is approaching the homecoming game with the same focus as any other game.

“We prepare for the Homecoming game just like any other game. We simply want to come out and be dedicated to the game from the opening tip. Playing the Homecoming game is definitely an exciting experience due to the crowd and all of the extracurricular activities going on. But at the end of the day, it is a regular game, and the main goal is to win,” Brown said.

For students, homecoming also represents an opportunity to reconnect with friends, celebrate Xavier traditions and take a break from the demands of the semester.

Kai Wade, a psychology major on the pre-med track from Nashville, Tennessee, said she is looking forward to spending his final homecoming with friends and fellow students.

“I’m most looking forward to going out with the band for my last Homecoming. I’m looking forward to good vibes, good outfits, and good friends,” Wade said. “Homecoming to me is a time to relax a little and reward ourselves for surviving halfway through the semester.”