CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini Athletics has announced the initial promotional schedule for the 2019 Fighting Illini Football season, which kicks off at home Saturday, Aug. 31 against Akron.
Details on pregame concerts and events in Grange Grove will be announced shortly.
Fans are encouraged to follow the team on social media and sign up for Fighting Illini emails to get the latest updates.
Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Akron (11 a.m. | BTN)
International Scholars Introduction to Football – ISSS pregame tailgate in Grange Grove. Student game tickets: http://bit.ly/ILL-F19-ISSSTickets Cheer and Dance Team Day – Local cheer and dance teams are invited to join the Fighting Illini squad in a performance at halftime. Teams can contact Stephanie Raciak with Varsity Spirit at sraciak@varsity.com or 224-360-4396.
Saturday, Sept. 14 vs. Eastern Michigan (11 a.m. | BTN)
Extra Yard for Teachers – The College Football Playoff Foundation's primary platform elevates the teaching profession through resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development. Local teachers will be honored on the field during the game. To participate, please reach out to your Principal and have him/her contact Austin Bishop at austinb@illinois.edu or 217-300-3080.
Celebrate Illinois Engineering – Join us in Grange Grove to celebrate the Grainger College of Engineering and the truly historic and transformative impact the Grainger Foundation has had on our campus.
Band Day – High School bands from across the state will come to perform with the Marching Illini.
Scout Day – Scouts enjoy pregame activities, a post-game movie and the opportunity to camp overnight in Memorial Stadium! Contact Tim Clark for details at tc25@illinois.edu or 217-300-7903.
Celebration of Giving *Invitation Only – Fighting Illini Head Coaches and student-athletes will celebrate Capital Project donors, Loyalty Circle members, Deferred Giving donors, and Premium Seating patrons at the annual Celebration of Giving dinner hosted by the I FUND on Friday, September 13.
Saturday, Sept. 21 vs. Nebraska
Free Student Tickets – Students can claim one free ticket and one free guest | Claim Here
4 Pack Ticket Offer – Fans can purchase 4 tickets for just $89 | Get 4-Pack
Return of TailGREAT – The Illinois pre-game tradition returns! Participate in a tailgating competition recognizing winners in two categories; Best BBQ and Most Creative Tailgate | Details & Registration
Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Weekend – The third class of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame will be honored this weekend with an induction into the Hall of Fame on Friday at 6 p.m. inside the State Farm Center. Admission is free and open to all fans. Following the ceremony a Hall of Fame celebration will be held the VIP Tent at the corner of First Street and Kirby Avenue. The celebration will include a live band, the opportunity to mingle with Hall of Famers and other Illini greats and an open bar. CLICK HERE to purchase Celebration tickets for $100.
Prior to the football game on Saturday, the Hall of Fame class will be available for autographs in Grange Grove. Hall of Famers will be recognized on the field at the beginning of halftime.
Celebrate 75 Years of Aerospace Engineering – The Grainger College of Engineering celebrates the 75th anniversary of Aerospace Engineering on the Illinois campus. The weekend celebration will culminate in a Tailgate at Memorial Stadium. Visit https://aerospace.illinois.edu/75years
Saturday, Oct. 12 vs. Michigan
Basketball Kickoff in Grange Grove – Join Fighting Illini Men's and Women's Basketball in Grange Grove for autographs and interactive games. Get involved in Grange Grove's first dunk contest, three-point shootout and a game of knockout for the whole family.
Foundation Weekend – The University of Illinois Foundation will be hosting Foundation Weekend October 10-12, 2019 to celebrate the collective power of giving across our three great universities. Festivities will begin with a welcome reception the evening of October 10 and on Friday October 11, the 84th Annual Foundation Meeting will be held at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Invitations have been sent to donors. For more information and to review the full program of events please visit https://uif.uillinois.edu/AM2019.
Butkus Statue Unveiling – The Dick Butkus Statue will be unveiled before students, fans, family and friends on Friday, October 11 at 2:00 PM. The statue will be located outside the Smith Center near Fourth Street and Peabody Drive.
Smith Center Dedication *Invitation Only – The dedication of the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Practice Facility will take place on Friday, October 11 followed by a tour of the facility.
Shaker Giveaway – Orange shakers will be distributed to the first 30,000 fans inside Memorial Stadium.
Saturday, Oct. 19 vs. Wisconsin (11 a.m.)
Homecoming – The Illini football game is the final activity in a week-long celebration of Illinois alumni returning to campus. Homecoming week at Illinois celebrates the 109th year of University of Illinois traditions.
Varsity I Weekend - Former student-athlete letterwinners of all sports are invited back to campus to take part in the annual Varsity I reunion. The annual Orange Affair will take place on Friday night and a pregame tailgating tent will provide a gathering before kickoff.
Saturday, Nov. 2 vs. Rutgers
Military Appreciation - This game will honor and recognize those brave servicemen and women who protect our freedom, while also paying tribute to the strong connection and history between the University and the military community.
Dads Day - To continue the proud Illinois tradition of the Dads Association which began in 1920, this game will honor the dads of all Fighting Illini and crown King Dad at halftime.
Saturday, Nov. 30 vs. Northwestern
Senior Day – Come out and honor the Fighting Illini seniors, and their families, playing their last game at Memorial Stadium.
Good Works Day – Ticket holders can donate additional funds to the ticket office to provide tickets for children in underserved communities. The game will also honor the good works being done in underserved areas of our state by non-profits and inspiring individuals.
Details on pregame concerts and events in Grange Grove will be announced shortly.
Fans are encouraged to follow the team on social media and sign up for Fighting Illini emails to get the latest updates.
Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Akron (11 a.m. | BTN)
International Scholars Introduction to Football – ISSS pregame tailgate in Grange Grove. Student game tickets: http://bit.ly/ILL-F19-ISSSTickets Cheer and Dance Team Day – Local cheer and dance teams are invited to join the Fighting Illini squad in a performance at halftime. Teams can contact Stephanie Raciak with Varsity Spirit at sraciak@varsity.com or 224-360-4396.
Saturday, Sept. 14 vs. Eastern Michigan (11 a.m. | BTN)
Extra Yard for Teachers – The College Football Playoff Foundation's primary platform elevates the teaching profession through resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development. Local teachers will be honored on the field during the game. To participate, please reach out to your Principal and have him/her contact Austin Bishop at austinb@illinois.edu or 217-300-3080.
Celebrate Illinois Engineering – Join us in Grange Grove to celebrate the Grainger College of Engineering and the truly historic and transformative impact the Grainger Foundation has had on our campus.
Band Day – High School bands from across the state will come to perform with the Marching Illini.
Scout Day – Scouts enjoy pregame activities, a post-game movie and the opportunity to camp overnight in Memorial Stadium! Contact Tim Clark for details at tc25@illinois.edu or 217-300-7903.
Celebration of Giving *Invitation Only – Fighting Illini Head Coaches and student-athletes will celebrate Capital Project donors, Loyalty Circle members, Deferred Giving donors, and Premium Seating patrons at the annual Celebration of Giving dinner hosted by the I FUND on Friday, September 13.
Saturday, Sept. 21 vs. Nebraska
Free Student Tickets – Students can claim one free ticket and one free guest | Claim Here
4 Pack Ticket Offer – Fans can purchase 4 tickets for just $89 | Get 4-Pack
Return of TailGREAT – The Illinois pre-game tradition returns! Participate in a tailgating competition recognizing winners in two categories; Best BBQ and Most Creative Tailgate | Details & Registration
Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Weekend – The third class of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame will be honored this weekend with an induction into the Hall of Fame on Friday at 6 p.m. inside the State Farm Center. Admission is free and open to all fans. Following the ceremony a Hall of Fame celebration will be held the VIP Tent at the corner of First Street and Kirby Avenue. The celebration will include a live band, the opportunity to mingle with Hall of Famers and other Illini greats and an open bar. CLICK HERE to purchase Celebration tickets for $100.
Prior to the football game on Saturday, the Hall of Fame class will be available for autographs in Grange Grove. Hall of Famers will be recognized on the field at the beginning of halftime.
Celebrate 75 Years of Aerospace Engineering – The Grainger College of Engineering celebrates the 75th anniversary of Aerospace Engineering on the Illinois campus. The weekend celebration will culminate in a Tailgate at Memorial Stadium. Visit https://aerospace.illinois.edu/75years
Saturday, Oct. 12 vs. Michigan
Basketball Kickoff in Grange Grove – Join Fighting Illini Men's and Women's Basketball in Grange Grove for autographs and interactive games. Get involved in Grange Grove's first dunk contest, three-point shootout and a game of knockout for the whole family.
Foundation Weekend – The University of Illinois Foundation will be hosting Foundation Weekend October 10-12, 2019 to celebrate the collective power of giving across our three great universities. Festivities will begin with a welcome reception the evening of October 10 and on Friday October 11, the 84th Annual Foundation Meeting will be held at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Invitations have been sent to donors. For more information and to review the full program of events please visit https://uif.uillinois.edu/AM2019.
Butkus Statue Unveiling – The Dick Butkus Statue will be unveiled before students, fans, family and friends on Friday, October 11 at 2:00 PM. The statue will be located outside the Smith Center near Fourth Street and Peabody Drive.
Smith Center Dedication *Invitation Only – The dedication of the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Practice Facility will take place on Friday, October 11 followed by a tour of the facility.
Shaker Giveaway – Orange shakers will be distributed to the first 30,000 fans inside Memorial Stadium.
Saturday, Oct. 19 vs. Wisconsin (11 a.m.)
Homecoming – The Illini football game is the final activity in a week-long celebration of Illinois alumni returning to campus. Homecoming week at Illinois celebrates the 109th year of University of Illinois traditions.
Varsity I Weekend - Former student-athlete letterwinners of all sports are invited back to campus to take part in the annual Varsity I reunion. The annual Orange Affair will take place on Friday night and a pregame tailgating tent will provide a gathering before kickoff.
Saturday, Nov. 2 vs. Rutgers
Military Appreciation - This game will honor and recognize those brave servicemen and women who protect our freedom, while also paying tribute to the strong connection and history between the University and the military community.
Dads Day - To continue the proud Illinois tradition of the Dads Association which began in 1920, this game will honor the dads of all Fighting Illini and crown King Dad at halftime.
Saturday, Nov. 30 vs. Northwestern
Senior Day – Come out and honor the Fighting Illini seniors, and their families, playing their last game at Memorial Stadium.
Good Works Day – Ticket holders can donate additional funds to the ticket office to provide tickets for children in underserved communities. The game will also honor the good works being done in underserved areas of our state by non-profits and inspiring individuals.
