Homecoming is back in Beaver Territory, and this year is a little extra special.
With Bemidji State Football celebrating its 100
th Anniversary Season, Homecoming Weekend is packed with Beaver Traditions, alumni celebrations, food, football and plenty of reasons to get to Chet Anderson Stadium early.
Here's everything you need to know before Saturday's Homecoming Battle of the Beavers with Minot State.
Gameday at a glance:
Saturday, Sep. 26
Bemidji State Beavers vs Minot State Beavers
Kickoff: 2 p.m. from Chet Anderson Stadium
Tailgate: 11 a.m. at Diamond Point Park
Purchase your tickets early as BSU is preparing for this BIG gameday. Likes may be long, so it is best to purchase tickets online and beat the line at the ticket trailer. Purchase tickets
here. East Endzone tickets are only available in person.
11:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Decker Hall Lawn
BSU Alumni & Foundation Game Day Experience
Bring the whole family to the Decker Hall lawn and enjoy a lively football pregame celebration filled with activities, entertainment and Beaver pride.
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Chet Anderson Stadium
Football Alumni Photos
Football alumni returning to BSU for Homecoming will have a special opportunity to return to the place where they made their own Beaver Football memories.
From 11-11:45 a.m., football alumni will be invited onto the field at Chet Anderson Stadium for a group photo, and buddy photos, commemorating their connection with Beaver Football over the years.
11:00 a.m. | Diamond Point Park
Pregame Tailgate
The Homecoming tailgate gets started three hours before kickoff on Homecoming (typically two hours prior), giving fans plenty of time to grab food, catch up with fellow Beavers and get ready for kickoff.
The Acoust Hicks and a Chick will provide the soundtrack to the Homecoming tailgate with live music throughout the pregame festivities, sponsored by Affinity Plus.
Full tailgate map is available below.
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Center of Beaver Pride Tailgate
Live from the tailgate: D1 Rejects Small School Saturday live show
Stop by, check out the live show and show the D1 Rejects what Beaver Football is all about!
Come Hungry
Six food trucks/stands will be serving up options throughout the Homecoming festivities:
- Bobcat's Lunchbox – menu
- Mac In the Box – menu
- Borealis Creamery – menu
- Sota Sips – menu
- Bad Habits Mini Donuts – menu
- Beaver Radio Network grill
*subject to change
2 p.m. | Chet Anderson Stadium
KICKOFF
The Beavers take on Minot State at 2 p.m.
Honorary captains for Saturday's game are Trent and Beth Baalke, BSU alumni who have made an impactful $1 million scholarship commitment to Beaver Football.
Get Loud. Get Proud. Get Ready for BSU Beaver Football.
First Half, Two-Minute Timeout
Centennial Season Team Recognition
Keep an eye on the stands during the first half.
The BSU Football Centennial Season Team will be recognized during the first-half two-minute timeout, celebrating the top 100 players and coaches who helped shape a century of Beaver Football.
Halftime
Homecoming Royalty and Outstanding Alumni
Halftime will be packed with Homecoming traditions.
The 2026 Homecoming Court will be recognized on the field, along with this year's Bemidji State Alumni & Foundation Outstanding Alumni Award recipients.
Second Half, Two-Minute Timeout
Affinity Plus Special Olympics Athlete
During the second-half two-minute timeout, Bemidji State will recognize Tilley Shipley, our Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Special Olympics Athlete.
Tilly competes with Bemidji State University Unified Basketball and has been a part of Special Olympics Minnesota for two years.
Keg N Cork X D.S. Beverage East Endzone
The Keg N Cork X D.S. Beverage East Endzone will again be open for Homecoming and have Beaver Brew available.
The East Endzone is a 21+ area and is the only location inside the Chet where fans are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages.
Fans can purchase this $6 ticket add-on, which grants access to the East Endzone where beverages are available for purchase, at the ticket trailer.
AND IF BSU WINS…
You know what happens next.
LAKE. BEMIDJI.
Following a BSU Beaver victory, the team will celebrate with the traditional Lake Bemidji jump.
Stick around after the game and head toward the lake to watch Bemidji State celebrate a Homecoming win. Gates on the Diamond Point Park side will be opened during the 4th quarter so fans may make their way toward the lake utilizing the park bike path/sidewalk. For the safety of our team, the opposing team, and all individuals attending the game, spectators will NOT be allowed on the playing surface until the teams complete post-game handshakes.
Please ensure you are aware of your surroundings during the lake jump. Players and coaches run quickly to celebrate with their team and often do not have enough time to stop if someone steps in front of them. For your safety, please stand back and allow the team to make it to the lake safely.
For more information on the Bemidji State Football program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversFB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversFB).
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
