Marshall University Athletics
Know Before You Go – Gardner-Webb
9/23/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
Herd Football welcomes Sons & Daughters of Marshall back for Homecoming
2026 Football Game Tickets & Parking
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – There's no place like Homecoming in Huntington!
Marshall Football returns to Joan C. Edwards Stadium on Sat., Sept. 26, as the Thundering Herd welcomes Gardner-Webb for Homecoming 2026. Kickoff is set for 3:32 p.m.
Presented by Ford, Saturday's Homecoming game brings generations of Sons and Daughters of Marshall back to Huntington and also features Family Weekend, Alumni Association activities and Green & White Day.
Fans are encouraged to STRIPE THE JOAN by wearing the designated color for their seating section.
GAMEDAY TIMELINE
Saturday, Sept. 26
9:00 a.m. – WAKE UP!! IT'S GAMEDAY IN HUNTINGTON!
9:30 a.m. – HerdZone Team Store & Parking Lots Open
1:10 p.m. – Thunder Walk & Fan Fest Open
1:30 p.m. – Gates Open
3:15 p.m. – Marching Thunder Takes the Field
3:21 p.m. – National Anthem
3:28 p.m. – Marshall Football Takes the Field
3:32 p.m. – BEAT GARDNER-WEBB!!
HELMET STRIPE THE JOAN
Herd Nation, know your color!
Fans are encouraged to help create a Homecoming atmosphere throughout The Joan by wearing GREEN or WHITE based on their seating section.
WEAR WHITE: Sections 101, 102, 103, 106, 107, 108, 111, 112, 116, 122, 126 and 128.
WEAR GREEN: Sections 104, 105, 109, 110, 113, 114, 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 124 and 130.
Check your section before heading to The Joan and help Herd Nation Helmet Stripe The Joan!
MOBILE TICKETS – DOWNLOAD EARLY. ARRIVE EARLY. TAP TO ENTER.
Fans are strongly encouraged to download their tickets to their mobile wallet before arriving at Joan C. Edwards Stadium and to arrive at their gate early.
All Marshall Football mobile tickets are tap-to-enter. There are no QR codes.
Screenshots of tickets will NOT work for entry.
If you are attending with others who will enter separately, tickets should be transferred to each individual before arriving at the stadium.
Need to transfer tickets? Watch this short video for easy step-by-step instructions: How to Transfer Your Marshall Tickets
Download your tickets early. Arrive at your gate early. Have your tickets ready to tap when you reach the entrance.
THUNDER WALK
Welcome the Herd home!
Thunder Walk begins at 1:10 p.m. in the West Lot at the lot entry gate on 20th Street closest to Third Avenue and continues through the parking lot toward Gate A and out to Third Avenue.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, line the route and help welcome Marshall Football to The Joan!
FAN FEST
Start your Homecoming Saturday at Fan Fest, located on the Marshall Rec Center field.
Fan Fest opens at 1:10 p.m. and is free and open to all fans.
In addition to inflatables, family entertainment, food and more, fans will have the opportunity to meet members of the Marshall Men's and Women's Basketball teams and get autographs before heading into The Joan.
BIG GREEN ROOM & HOMECOMING BUFFET
Chairback ticket holders can enjoy the newly renovated Big Green Room and add the Big Green Buffet to their Homecoming experience.
Saturday's Homecoming menu features:
- Tenderloin trays with condiments and sliced rolls
- BBQ meatballs
- Veggie tray with veggie dip and hummus
- Football-shaped cheese balls and crackers
- Football-shaped cookies
- Crab dip
- Artichoke and spinach dip with tortilla chips
Access to the Big Green Room is exclusively available to Chairback ticket holders. The all-you-can-eat buffet is $49.99 per person and includes select non-alcoholic beverages. Buffet service begins one hour before kickoff and continues through the start of the third quarter.
CONCESSIONS
Come hungry!
Fans will find expanded concession offerings throughout Joan C. Edwards Stadium, including Chick-fil-A locations on both sides of the stadium and additional food options throughout the venue.
Looking for family-friendly value? Head to Stand 12, where fans can find:
$2 Hot Dogs | $2 Popcorn | $5 Pretzels | $5 Nachos
Water refill stations are also available throughout Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Fans are permitted to bring a sealed or empty clear plastic water bottle into the stadium to utilize the refill stations.
PARKING
Fans who do not have a season parking pass have several options on gameday.
Paid Single-Game Parking: The Third Avenue Parking Garage, located across Third Avenue from the Cam Henderson Center, is available for $20.
Free Gameday Parking is available in the:
- Engineering Lot
- 6th Avenue Lot
- Commons Student Lot
- 5th Avenue Parking Lot
Fans can locate each of these lots on the Marshall University Parking Map.
All other Marshall Athletics football parking lots require a season parking pass and are sold out for the 2026 season.
With Homecoming activities taking place across campus, fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early and allow additional time for traffic, parking and stadium entry.
STADIUM ENTRY POINTS
Gates to Joan C. Edwards Stadium open at 1:30 p.m.
There are six main entry areas:
Gate A: Northwest corner – best for fans in Sections 100, 102, 104, 106 and 108.
Gate B North: West side – designated access for Sky Suite ticket holders and other permitted access.
Gate B South: West side – best for fans in Sections 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118.
Gate C: Southwest corner – best for fans in Sections 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 and 130.
Gate D: Northeast corner – best for fans in Sections 105, 107, 109 and 111.
Gate F: Southeast corner – best for the Student Section and Section 113.
Remember: Download your tickets before arriving and have them ready to tap. Arriving early is the best way to avoid lines as kickoff approaches.
HERDZONE TEAM STORE
Need the right color for Helmet Stripe The Joan?
The HerdZone Team Store at Joan C. Edwards Stadium opens at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Stop by early to stock up on the latest Marshall apparel and gear before Homecoming festivities begin.
TICKET OFFICE & FAN ASSISTANCE
Still need tickets or need help accessing your mobile tickets?
Gameday ticket sales will be available at the Gate A and Gate D Ticket Booths.
Fans needing ticket assistance or picking up will call tickets can visit the Fan Assistance Tent, located on the west side of Joan C. Edwards Stadium near Gate A.
3D MAP
There have been numerous upgrades and improvements to Joan C. Edwards Stadium in time for the 2026 season.
Check out this new 3D Map that will help you navigate all the new fan experiences to enjoy at the stadium while also showing you several pertinent areas for the gameday experience, including parking, concessions and ticketing areas.
STADIUM SEAT POLICY
Stadium seats ARE permitted inside Joan C. Edwards Stadium provided they meet the following guidelines:
Maximum width: 16 inches
No armrests
No cupholders or compartments
Cannot impede the view or space of other fans
Fans bringing a seat that does not comply with the policy will be asked to return it to their vehicle.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Marshall Athletics' Clear Bag Policy remains in effect.
Fans may bring one clear bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" or a one-gallon clear plastic storage bag.
Fans are limited to one clear bag per person or a small clutch bag no larger than 4.5" x 6.5".
CASHLESS
All vendors inside Joan C. Edwards Stadium are cashless.
This includes the Marshall Athletics Ticket Office, HerdZone Team Store and all concession vendors.
NO RE-ENTRY
Fans will not be permitted to leave and re-enter Joan C. Edwards Stadium without being re-screened through security and possessing a separate, unscanned game ticket.
This policy is part of Marshall Athletics' Safe To Stay With The Herd initiative.
NO SMOKING
Marshall University is a tobacco-free campus, which includes Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
THUNDERCLAP
After every Marshall touchdown, get on your feet and join Herd Nation in the Thunderclap!
HOMECOMING IN HUNTINGTON
Homecoming is about coming home.
It's generations of Sons and Daughters of Marshall returning to Huntington. It's students, alumni, families and fans coming together to celebrate the traditions and connections that make Marshall special.
On Saturday, it all leads to The Joan.
Know Your Color. Helmet Stripe The Joan. Download Your Tickets Early. Arrive Early. Welcome The Herd at Thunder Walk. And Pack The Joan!
It's Gameday in Huntington!
It's a Great Day to Run with the Herd!
For all the latest information about Marshall Athletics, follow @HerdZone on X and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
