Homecoming

Blast from the Past 2026 Information and Deadlines

Michigan vs. Penn State

Saturday October 17th

Kickoff TBA

2026 Blast Details

We are very excited for 2026 Homecoming! The Homecoming committee has developed the registration policy as described below:

Registration will begin June 1st
Registration will end at 11:59pm on Sunday August 23rd
Instrument requests will not be taken past August 23rd
Refunds for the Blast Participation Fee can be processed up until August 23rd

Late Registration:

We are unable to accept late registrations; once the seating block is finalized on August 23rd, no additional seats can be sold.Interested members may sign up to the wait list to be notified in the event a participant needs to cancel; replacements will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Unfortunately, there is no room for flexibility in the dates listed above. Capacity for 2026 is 500 participants - register early to ensure your spot! If the seating capacity is reached before the deadline, registration will close immediately.

Registration Requirements

Be an active, dues paying member of UMBAA - $20 annually or a lifetime membership for a one time $400 payment
Blast Participation Fee - $30 - fee covers music, folders, and additional costs associated with the day
Alumni Band seating block football ticket - $115 - UMBAA handles participant ticket sales as part of the registration process

Alumni Band Performances

Parade to and from Michigan Stadium
Concert on the Stadium Steps
Pregame on the field
Halftime performance on the field with the Michigan Marching Band
Postgame performance on the field with the Michigan Marching Band

STADIUM SEATING

The Alumni Band will occupy our usual block of seats at the front of Section 15, which debuted in 2021. This seating arrangement has allowed us to expand our capacity to 500 participants and is guaranteed to the Association in perpetuity. If you experience mobility challenges, please let us know in advance so we can make appropriate arrangements to facilitate access to the seating block.

Participants must purchase a game ticket ($115) in the Alumni Band seating area in addition to the traditional UMBAA participation fee ($30). This ensures each participant has a guaranteed seat in the stands with sufficient room to play their instrument, provides better viewing angles of game action, and improves sight lines to the directors to improve performance quality. This arrangement aligns with the standard practices of other Big Ten schools for homecoming alumni bands.

UMBAA cannot accommodate ticket exchanges for current season ticket holders for seats in the Alumni Band seating block. Due to logistical restrictions, only participants seated in the Alumni Band seating block will be able to have field access for Alumni Band performances. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS TICKETS

The Alumni Band seating area is reserved exclusively for participants; Michigan Athletics has provided a seating block behind the Alumni Band for participants to purchase additional tickets for friends and family at cost. Additional details, promo code, and ordering instructions will be provided to participants in your registration confirmation email. There is a limit of 4 guest tickets per registrant. Orders will be processed on first-come, first-served basis until the allotment has been filled.

Friday Night Dinner / Early Check In / Rehearsal

Access to the Friday night dinner at Revelli Hall that precedes rehearsal is included in your Blast Participation Fee. Family and friends are also welcome to attend, with the purchase of guest tickets ($17/adult or $12/child 12 and under). Guest dinner tickets may be purchased ahead of time with your Blast registration. We hope to see everyone there!

We will also have the usual early packet pickup and instrument handout prior to dinner on Friday; final logistical information will be provided 2-3 weeks prior to the event.

NEW THIS YEAR – OPTIONAL GAME-DAY LUNCH

The Homecoming Committee, with the support of the UMBAA Board of Directors, is pleased to debut an option for participants to purchase a game-day boxed lunch, which can be purchased during registration for an additional fee of $22. Please note that this lunch is available for participants only, unfortunately we cannot accommodate friends or family members. Participants electing to purchase this option will be able to provide any dietary restrictions approximately 4-6 weeks prior to Homecoming.

The Usual Details

Rule #1: ONLY MEMBERS WITH CURRENTLY PAID ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES MAY REGISTER FOR PARTICIPATION IN UMBAA BLAST FROM THE PAST. Clicking on the link above will require you to pay dues prior to registering if you are not current..

Members must be registered to participate in any part of the event and are required to attend all MORNING rehearsals.
Admission to Michigan Stadium will only be granted to those members who meet the deadlines, pay the participation fee, purchase a game ticket, and have been issued the required identification
Arrangements will be made for any members who are mobility-limited.
Kickoff is TBA
2-3 weeks before Homecoming, participants will be sent a Blast Information Guide, which provides key information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Loaner Instruments

The bands have a very limited supply of instruments available. The requests will be forwarded to the e-staff. There may not be any available instruments of your requested type depending on the size of that section in the MMB. They will be supplied on a first come first served basis. Loaner instruments can be requested as part of the registration process. If that option is not visible to you, we may not be able to accommodate your loan request. You are highly encouraged to bring your own instrument!

Note: We do not supply mouthpieces, reeds, oil, etc., please bring your own. We do have a limited supply of tuba necks and bits and concert horn to mellophone mouthpiece adapters. Percussion must bring their own sticks and mallets, including bass drum mallets. Tenor drums are multi-tenors, not a small bass drum. Any specific instrument questions may be addressed to the Homecoming Committee
(email: umbaa-support@umich.edu).

76th Annual Incredibly Tentative Blast Itinerary

Changes to this schedule may occur. Itinerary is based on a noon kickoff. If a 3:30 or night game kick time is announced, the schedule will adjust accordingly.

Friday October 16th
5:00 PM - 6:45 PM - Early Packet Pickup @tbd (Your Blast Participation Badge, music, and updated Blast information will be in your Blast packet)
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM - Early Instrument Checkout @ tbd
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM MMB Rehearsal
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Dinner @ Revelli Hall for Blast participants and pre-paid guests
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Alumni Band Rehearsal @ Revelli Hall

Saturday October 17th
6:10 a.m. registration and coffee hour
7:10 a.m. meeting/indoor rehearsal begins
8:25 a.m. join MMB on Elbel Field
8:55 a.m. Scholarship presentation
9:20 a.m. set pre-game block on east sideline
9:30 a.m. Lunch - on your own
10:45 a.m. meet on front steps of Revelli
10:50 a.m. depart for Stadium
11:05-11:20 a.m. concert on stadium steps
11:20 a.m. in tunnel
11:40 a.m. pre-game
12:00 p.m. Kick-off

ALUMNI and MMB reception following game

5:30 p.m. Revelli Hall cleared and building locked

Other Important Information

Blast participants will receive a CONFIRMATION EMAIL, which is your registration confirmation for Blast 2026. Contact the UMBAA Webmaster if you do not receive your confirmation!
Be aware of the deadline dates! If you have any questions about the Blast please email the UMBAA Homecoming Committee (umbaa-support@umich.edu).

Can I Send In a Paper Registration?

Unfortunately, due to the seating arrangement now in place with Athletics, we cannot accept paper registrations. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

I am having difficulties with the UMBAA website – who should I contact?

If you need assistance accessing your member account or completing your registration, please contact the UMBAA webmaster (email umbaa-webmaster@umich.edu).