BROCCTOBER FEST TAILGATE
Howard Homecoming 2026 — Reserved Tailgate Spaces
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Maury Wills Field | Washington, DC
Howard Bison vs. Morehouse Maroon Tigers — 3:30 PM Kickoff
Good People. Good Food. Bigger Culture.
Brocctober Fest Tailgate is bringing together Howard alumni, students, families, organizations and friends for an elevated-but-authentic Homecoming tailgate experience just steps from the action.
Reserve your own space, bring your crew, set up your tent, fire up the grill and make the space yours.
We provide the space. You bring the tailgate
Tailgater Setup Window: 7:00–9:00 AM
Brocctober Fest Opens: 10:00 AM
Howard vs. Morehouse Kickoff: 3:30 PM
Tailgate Continues Through: 8pm
Breakdown / Site Clear: 11pm
10' × 10' Tailgate Space — $750 (Price will increase)
Best for approximately 6–10 guests and a standard pop-up tent setup.
20' × 20' Tailgate Space — $1500 (Price will increase)
Four times the footprint of a 10×10 and designed for larger alumni groups, organizations, families and more elaborate setups.
What's Included
Your reservation includes a designated 10'×10' or 20'×20' tailgate footprint within the Brocctober Fest Tailgate grounds and access to the overall tailgate experience, including the Brocctober Fest DJ/music programming and common event areas.
This is a space-only reservation.
Brocctober Fest does NOT provide tents, tables, chairs, grills, coolers, food, beverages, power, generators, TVs, décor or other equipment. Howard similarly requires its official Homecoming vendors to provide their own tables, chairs and potable water.
Important Tailgate Rules
I would make purchasers agree to one concise rules section rather than burying them in legal copy:
- Stay within your footprint. All tents, tables, chairs, coolers, grills, décor and equipment must remain within your assigned space and may not obstruct walkways, emergency lanes, entrances, exits or neighboring spaces.
- 10×10 canopy maximum per tent. A 20×20 reservation can use multiple 10×10 tents within its footprint. This follows a common college-tailgate safety approach; Morgan State, for example, prohibits individual canopies larger than 10×10.
- Tailgaters bring all equipment. Spaces are delivered empty. Tent, tables, chairs, food, coolers and other equipment are the responsibility of the renter.
- Cooking must remain controlled. Grills and cooking equipment must be attended at all times. I would require propane or approved contained grills and prohibit open-ground fires, fire pits and dumping hot coals/grease on the property. Final language should conform to the event's fire marshal/permit requirements.
- No unauthorized sales. Tailgate reservations are for private hospitality and social use. Selling food, beverages, merchandise or services requires separate vendor approval.
- Keep the area clean. Each group is responsible for bagging and removing/placing its trash in designated collection areas before departure. Vendors are likewise required to secure trash and properly dispose of cooking grease.
- No amplified sound competing with event programming. Small personal speakers are fine at reasonable levels, but DJs, large PA systems or amplified entertainment should require advance approval.
- No weapons, fireworks or hazardous materials. No drones or other devices that create a safety issue. Similar restrictions are standard in university tailgate policies.
