Bicentennial Homecoming FAQ

Event Details

Where are the events located?

All Homecoming events are located at the Bicentennial Village on the Quad. The 162nd Rivalry Game will be played at home at Lafayette’s Fisher Stadium.

What time are the events?

On Friday, Nov. 20, doors open to the Bicentennial Village at 6:30 p.m., and the event runs until approximately 10:30 p.m. We expect Darius Rucker will take the stage some time after 8 p.m.

On Saturday, Nov. 21, the Bicentennial Village will open at 9 a.m. for the breakfast tailgate and Alumni Spirit Huddle. Food stations will close at approximately 11:45 a.m. to begin to move everyone to Fisher Stadium.

The gates of Fisher Stadium will be open at 10 a.m., with kickoff for the game slated for 12:30 p.m.

Can I leave events and return?

Yes, guests may leave and reenter the Bicentennial Village but are subject to security screening upon reentry. Please retain any tickets or registration information required for admission. Please note that reentry will not be allowed to Fisher Stadium.

Registration and Ticketing

How much are tickets for the events?

All Homecoming events are free and open to the Lafayette community, other than the 162nd Rivalry Game. Tickets are required for entry to the Nov. 20 event and concert. To assist with planning, we request registration for the Saturday tailgate, though tickets are not required.

Please note that ticketing and registration for Homecoming events does not serve as a ticket for the 162nd Rivalry Game at Fisher Stadium. Guests must purchase a football ticket separately.

More information about game tickets is available here.

Can I forward my invitation/registration link to other people so they can reserve tickets/register for event(s)?

No. The invitation and registration link that you receive is linked to your primary email address on file with the College and cannot be used by other invited guests or friends of the College.

How many tickets may I reserve for Homecoming events?

To accommodate as many Lafayette community members as possible, ticket quantities are limited for the Nov 20 events and concert as follows:

Current Lafayette students are limited to one ticket per person.
Lafayette faculty and staff may reserve a ticket for themselves and one guest.
Alumni of the College may reserve a ticket for themselves and one guest.
Parents may reserve a ticket for themselves and one guest. Parents need not reserve a ticket for their student.

Waitlists will be created for all constituencies. Any unclaimed tickets across these groups will be released to those on the waitlist on or about Thursday, Nov. 12.

No tickets are required for the breakfast tailgate and Alumni Spirit Huddle on Saturday, Nov. 21, though registration is appreciated to ensure we have adequate food, beverage, and SWAG for all guests.

I am a Lafayette parent and my child has more than one sibling who will be attending Homecoming Weekend events. How do I request more than two tickets for the Friday evening activities?

If you are a parent travelling with more than one child for Homecoming Weekend events and you would like to request additional tickets for siblings, please send an email to bicentennial@lafayette.edu and we will place you on a high-priority list for additional tickets, if they should come available. You need not request a ticket for your Lafayette student.

When will I receive my tickets?

An email containing a QR code will be sent to you with your registration confirmation. The QR code will serve as your ticket and is required for entry into The Bicentennial Village on Friday, November 20. A ticket is not required for entry for the Saturday breakfast tailgate.

Access to the game/Fisher Stadium

How do I obtain tickets for the 162nd Rivalry Game?

Tickets are available for purchase through the Athletics Ticket Office. More information about game tickets is available here

Is there a clear-bag policy for entry into the game?

Clear or no bags are encouraged for all events Homecoming Weekend, and will likely lead to quicker entry into events, particularly into Fisher Stadium. All bags are subject to search before entry into the Bicentennial Village and Fisher Stadium.

Approved clear bags include:

Clear plastic bags no larger than 12”x12”x6”
One-gallon clear zip bags no larger than 11”x11”
Small clutch bags, wristlets, or handheld wallets no larger than 8”x5”x2”

Learn more about the clear-bag, parking, and tailgating policies.

What items may I bring into Fisher Stadium?

Permitted items include blankets, seat cushions, umbrellas, strollers, and video cameras. All items are subject to search.

What items are prohibited inside Fisher Stadium?

Prohibited items include alcoholic beverages, bottles, cans, coolers, outside food, large bags, noisemakers, fireworks, pets other than service animals, illegal substances, and other items deemed inappropriate by event administrators.

May I leave the game and return at any time during the game?

No. Once inside Fisher Stadium, guests will not be permitted to leave and re-enter.

When do the stadium gates open?

Gates open at 10 a.m. Because Rivalry attracts significantly larger crowds and involves increased security, guests should plan to arrive earlier than they would for a typical home game in order to be in their seats by kickoff at 12:30 p.m.

Parking and Tailgating

Where will parking be available throughout the weekend?

On Friday, November 20: Parking will be available at the Markle Parking Deck and at additional parking lots on campus.
Note: Vehicles MUST be removed from the Markle Deck by midnight on November 21 because the deck must be cleared in preparation for Saturday’s football game. Any vehicles left in the deck beyond that point are subject to towing.

On Saturday, November 21: Game-day parking in the Markle Parking Deck requires a parking pass and is currently sold out. Guests without a parking pass should not attempt to park in Markle Deck or other restricted areas immediately surrounding the stadium.

Other campus parking is available for pre-sale for a $50 fee per vehicle in the following locations: March Field, and Leopard Deck. Permits are available for advanced purchase now. Same-day parking permits may be purchased online, subject to availability. You may purchase parking permits here under the tab, Order Visitor Permits.

Free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at Easton Area Middle School (1010 Echo Trail, Easton, PA 18040).

The parking lot will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A complimentary shuttle will provide transportation to and from Fisher Field, with service running every 30 minutes during those hours.

Authorized street parking on College Hill, and parking in downtown Easton is also available. Guests should follow all posted City of Easton parking regulations.

More information about event parking is available here. If you have specific parking questions for the Lafayette vs. Lehigh game, please call Public Safety at 610-330-5330.

Can I tailgate in the Markle Parking Deck and other parking areas?

Yes, tailgating is permitted in designated areas of the Markle Parking Deck. Guests should follow Lafayette Athletics’ game-day tailgating policies. Tailgating ends at kickoff.

Note that tailgating is permitted only in designated paid parking areas. To ensure the safety and flow of traffic, all driving lanes must remain unobstructed, and all tailgating equipment must be contained within the limits of your assigned parking space. Tailgating is not permitted in the free parking lot. Alcoholic beverages of any kind are prohibited in that lot.

What are the rules related to alcohol consumption at private tailgates?

Alcohol consumption is limited to guests age 21 and older, and must comply with Pennsylvania law and Lafayette policies. Lafayette Athletics asks guests to consume responsibly. Beverages at tailgates must be consumed from cups; glass containers, cans, funnels, and similar devices are not permitted in the tailgating area.

Are grills permitted in the Markle Parking Deck?

Charcoal and propane grills, generators, Sterno, and other open-flame cooking devices are prohibited in Markle Parking Deck. Electric grills are permitted.

Food, Beverage, and Dietary Restrictions

Will food and beverage items be available for those with dietary restrictions or food allergies?

The College will work closely with our on-site catering partner to ensure that a wide variety of food and beverage items are available to meet the needs of those with dietary restrictions. If you would like to make the staff aware of any serious restrictions or food allergies, please contact bicentennial@lafayette.edu.

Will alcoholic beverages be available at Homecoming events?

A selection of Lafayette beers will be available for purchase at both the pep-rally/concert (until 9:30 p.m.) and the breakfast tailgate (until 11 a.m.). A valid, government-issued photo ID is required for purchase of alcoholic beverages. The usual alcoholic beverage concessions will be available for purchase at the 162nd Rivalry Game after gates to Fisher Stadium open at 10 a.m.