UTC Homecoming Brings NFL Legends, Free Football Tickets and a Big Celebration to Chattanooga This Saturday!
Photo Courtesy of UTC
In The Know with Gino…
If you’ve been looking for a reason to get out and cheer on the Mocs, this Saturday might be the perfect opportunity!
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is celebrating Homecoming 2026 this week, and the festivities are bringing some pretty big names to the Scenic City. The Chattanooga Mocs will host the Mercer Bears on Saturday, November 7, at 1 p.m. at Finley Stadium, and the celebration will include appearances by NFL legends Terrell Owens and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.
But here’s one of the biggest reasons to get excited: 1,000 FREE tickets to Saturday’s football game are being given away to local students, teachers, school staff and their families!
How to Get Your FREE UTC Homecoming Tickets!
Pro Football Hall of Famer and former UTC football standout Terrell Owens is teaming up with the university to help get more members of the community into Finley Stadium for Homecoming.
A total of 1,000 complimentary tickets will be distributed on Saturday, November 7, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Here’s what you need to know:
- When: Saturday, November 7, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
- Where: First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Boulevard, directly across from Finley Stadium.
- Who qualifies: Students, teachers, school staff and their families from Hamilton County and surrounding counties.
- How it works: Registration takes place in person at the distribution location. No school ID is required.
Attendees will need to provide their first name, school name and group size. Students will also need to provide their grade level. There is a limit of five tickets per household.
And there’s another bonus! The first 200 eligible attendees will receive a FREE Chick-fil-A sandwich while supplies last.
Terrell Owens is expected to make a brief appearance at the ticket distribution beginning at 9:30 a.m., so arriving early is encouraged. Once the 1,000 tickets are gone, the giveaway is over.
This year’s Homecoming celebration is bringing together two recognizable names from professional football.
Terrell “T.O.” Owens is a UTC football legend who played for the Mocs from 1992 to 1995 before going on to an incredible 15-season NFL career. He finished with 15,934 receiving yards and 153 touchdowns, earned six Pro Bowl selections and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
Joining him in the Homecoming festivities is Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, the former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and six-time Pro Bowl selection.
Both Owens and Johnson are scheduled to appear at UTC’s Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally on Friday, November 6th.
The parade begins at 5 p.m., with spectators encouraged to line Vine Street around 4:30 p.m. The celebration will continue at Chamberlain Field with a pep rally featuring the UTC Marching Mocs, spirit squads, DJ Redd, special guests and more. Food and drink vendors will also be available.
Graphic Courtesy of UTC
Saturday’s football game is the culmination of a full week of Homecoming activities under this year’s theme, “MOCS2K,” celebrating the music, fashion and nostalgia of the early 2000s.
The game against Mercer kicks off at 1 p.m. at Finley Stadium. Fans can also look forward to the announcement of the 2026 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime.
And if you can’t make it to the stadium, you can still keep up with the Mocs! Gino D will be broadcasting LIVE from Finley Stadium before the game, bringing you the sights, sounds and excitement of Homecoming, along with all the festivities leading up to kickoff.
Whether you’re a UTC alum, a football fan, a student, or just looking for something fun to do this weekend, there’s plenty of reason to head downtown and be part of the celebration.
Go Mocs!
SOURCE: GOMOCS.COM
