MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, October 16, 2026 — West Virginia University evacuated Hope Coliseum on Friday morning after a gas leak was confirmed outside the arena, raising safety concerns hours before the Mountaineers were scheduled to host Cincinnati in a women’s volleyball match.
University officials ordered the evacuation at approximately 8:24 a.m. EDT following reports of a gas smell. An updated alert around 8:38 a.m. confirmed the leak and instructed students, employees and visitors to avoid the surrounding area.
No injuries were identified in initial local reports. However, the cause of the leak and the arena’s reopening status remained unclear.
WVU Hope Coliseum Evacuated After Gas Leak
The emergency unfolded Friday morning on WVU’s Evansdale campus in Morgantown.
Officials initially responded to reports of a gas odor before confirming a leak outside Hope Coliseum. People were instructed to leave the building while emergency personnel investigated.
The initial emergency timeline included:
- 8:24 a.m.: WVU issued an evacuation order following reports of a gas smell.
- 8:38 a.m.: Officials confirmed a gas leak outside the arena.
- Later Friday: Questions remained about repairs, utility services and reopening.
The precise source of the leak and any damage to gas infrastructure had not been established in the initial reporting.
Gas Supply Reportedly Shut Off, Heat and Hot Water Affected
A summary of social media posts circulating Friday claimed that crews shut off the gas supply, temporarily leaving Hope Coliseum without heating and hot water.
Those utility details had not been independently confirmed through the local reports reviewed. No verified restoration timetable was available.
Even after a gas leak is isolated, building operators may need to inspect affected systems before reopening a public venue.
Cincinnati Volleyball Match Scheduled for Friday Evening
The evacuation occurred less than 10 hours before WVU’s women’s volleyball team was scheduled to face the Cincinnati Bearcats at 6 p.m. EDT on October 16.
The match was designated as the university’s Coal Rush volleyball event during Homecoming week.
The official WVU volleyball schedule provides match information, although a scheduled listing does not confirm that the arena has been cleared for reopening.
No verified cancellation, postponement or venue change had been established in the initial reports. Fans should check WVU Athletics before traveling.
Gas Leak Occurs During WVU Homecoming Celebrations
Friday’s emergency came during a busy Homecoming period, with students, alumni and visitors gathering in Morgantown.
University activities included Friday’s volleyball match and Homecoming events, while WVU was also preparing to face Cincinnati in football on Saturday, October 17.
There was no confirmed indication that other Homecoming venues or Saturday’s football game were affected.
Hope Coliseum’s HOPE Gas Naming Deal Draws Attention
The incident attracted additional interest because the arena was recently renamed through a partnership with natural gas utility HOPE Gas.
Previously called the WVU Coliseum, the venue received its new name in 2025 under a 10-year naming-rights agreement supporting WVU Athletics.
Some X users commented on the coincidence of a gas leak at an arena named after a gas company.
However, the naming agreement does not establish responsibility for the leak. Authorities had not identified its cause in the initial reports.
No Injuries Reported as Reopening Questions Continue
Initial news coverage did not identify any injuries, but that does not mean the building was immediately safe to enter.
Similar emergency precautions have been used during the Malibu Bryson Fire evacuations and the Dulwich Hill police emergency, where authorities restricted public access during developing incidents.
The remaining questions concern the leak’s cause, gas service restoration, the arena’s reopening and whether Friday’s volleyball match will proceed as scheduled.
Students, employees and spectators should follow official WVU emergency and athletics announcements before returning to Hope Coliseum.
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