Season-opener set for Sept. 1 vs. Kent State
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini Athletics has announced the initial promotional schedule for the 2018 Fighting Illini Football season, which kicks off at home Saturday, September 1 against Kent State.
Details on giveaways and pregame concerts in Grange Grove will be announced in a few weeks. Fans are encouraged to follow the team on social media and sign up for Fighting Illini emails to get the latest updates.
Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Kent State (11 a.m. | BTN)
Family 4-Pack – Families can purchase four tickets for just $49 as part of the season opener's Family 4-Pack ticket promo | Get 4-Pack
Dana Howard Recognition – Former Illini linebacker and 1994 Butkus Award winner Dana Howard will be recognized as Illinois' 17th selection into the College Football Hall of Fame.
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. 8 vs. Western Illinois (6:30 p.m. | BTN)
Varsity I Weekend – Former student-athlete letterwinners of all sports are invited back to campus to take part in a large reunion. The annual Orange Affair will take place on Friday night and a pregame tailgating tent will provide a gathering before kickoff.
Celebrate Food and Ag – In partnership with the College of ACES, the game will celebrate the many partnerships and contributions the agriculture industry has given to the University and the Central Illinois community.
Band Night – High School bands from across the state will come to perform with the Marching Illini.
1953 Team Reunion – Members of the Big Ten Championship 1953 Illinois football team will host their 65th anniversary reunion to celebrate the team's 7-1-1 record and share of the conference title.
Friday, Sept. 21 vs. Penn State (8 p.m. | FS1)
Coca-Cola 4-Pack – Fans can purchase four tickets for just $69 as part of the Coca-Cola 4-Pack ticket promo | Get 4-Pack
Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Weekend – The second class of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame will be honored this weekend with on-field recognition during the game, and induction into the Hall on Saturday at 2 p.m. inside the State Farm Center. Admission is free and open to all fans.
Foundation Weekend – The Foundation's 83rd Annual Meeting will take place on Friday, Sept. 21st. Weekend festivities will also include celebrations honoring the 50th anniversary of Krannert Center, the re-opening of the recently renovated Everitt Lab (home of the Department of Bioengineering and the JUMP Simulation Center), a seminar on the endowment management, updates on the three University campaigns, and more. Invitations have been sent to donors.
Saturday, Oct. 13 vs. Purdue (2:30 or 3 p.m.)
Homecoming – The Illini football game is final activity in a week-long celebration of Illinois alumni returning to campus. Homecoming week at Illinois celebrates the 108th year of UIUC traditions.
Scout Camporee – Local Scout troops are invited to catch a movie in Memorial Stadium after the game. Scouts can also spend the night camping on Zuppke Field. Contact Rob Doerger with the sales team at (217) 265-9266 for more information.
Saturday, Nov. 3 vs. Minnesota
Military Appreciation Day – 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.
Union Day – Local unions are invited to enjoy tailgating and an Illini Football game. Contact Lauren Mense at (217) 300-3090 for more information or tickets.
Saturday, Nov. 17 vs. Iowa
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.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini Athletics has announced the initial promotional schedule for the 2018 Fighting Illini Football season, which kicks off at home Saturday, September 1 against Kent State.
Details on giveaways and pregame concerts in Grange Grove will be announced in a few weeks. Fans are encouraged to follow the team on social media and sign up for Fighting Illini emails to get the latest updates.
Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Kent State (11 a.m. | BTN)
Family 4-Pack – Families can purchase four tickets for just $49 as part of the season opener's Family 4-Pack ticket promo | Get 4-Pack
Dana Howard Recognition – Former Illini linebacker and 1994 Butkus Award winner Dana Howard will be recognized as Illinois' 17th selection into the College Football Hall of Fame.
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. 8 vs. Western Illinois (6:30 p.m. | BTN)
Varsity I Weekend – Former student-athlete letterwinners of all sports are invited back to campus to take part in a large reunion. The annual Orange Affair will take place on Friday night and a pregame tailgating tent will provide a gathering before kickoff.
Celebrate Food and Ag – In partnership with the College of ACES, the game will celebrate the many partnerships and contributions the agriculture industry has given to the University and the Central Illinois community.
Band Night – High School bands from across the state will come to perform with the Marching Illini.
1953 Team Reunion – Members of the Big Ten Championship 1953 Illinois football team will host their 65th anniversary reunion to celebrate the team's 7-1-1 record and share of the conference title.
Friday, Sept. 21 vs. Penn State (8 p.m. | FS1)
Coca-Cola 4-Pack – Fans can purchase four tickets for just $69 as part of the Coca-Cola 4-Pack ticket promo | Get 4-Pack
Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Weekend – The second class of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame will be honored this weekend with on-field recognition during the game, and induction into the Hall on Saturday at 2 p.m. inside the State Farm Center. Admission is free and open to all fans.
Foundation Weekend – The Foundation's 83rd Annual Meeting will take place on Friday, Sept. 21st. Weekend festivities will also include celebrations honoring the 50th anniversary of Krannert Center, the re-opening of the recently renovated Everitt Lab (home of the Department of Bioengineering and the JUMP Simulation Center), a seminar on the endowment management, updates on the three University campaigns, and more. Invitations have been sent to donors.
Saturday, Oct. 13 vs. Purdue (2:30 or 3 p.m.)
Homecoming – The Illini football game is final activity in a week-long celebration of Illinois alumni returning to campus. Homecoming week at Illinois celebrates the 108th year of UIUC traditions.
Scout Camporee – Local Scout troops are invited to catch a movie in Memorial Stadium after the game. Scouts can also spend the night camping on Zuppke Field. Contact Rob Doerger with the sales team at (217) 265-9266 for more information.
Saturday, Nov. 3 vs. Minnesota
Military Appreciation Day – 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.
Union Day – Local unions are invited to enjoy tailgating and an Illini Football game. Contact Lauren Mense at (217) 300-3090 for more information or tickets.
Saturday, Nov. 17 vs. Iowa
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.
