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After two weeks away from Memorial Stadium, Fighting Illini Football returns home to take on Nebraska under the Friday Night Lights. Kickoff is slated at 7:05 PM for the first Big Ten game of the season. As part of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame weekend, there will be several special giveaways and promotions. Fans are encouraged to come early, be loud, and wear ORANGE for the Hail to the Orange night.

GRANGE GROVE

Grange Grove will open to all Fighting Illini fans at 7 AM on Friday, September 29. The tailgating area outside of the West entrances of Memorial stadium is free and open to the public, so no ticket is required for admittance.

The majority of programming in Grange Grove will start at 4 PM for the matchup versus Nebraska. Entertainment will include an inflatables area, face painting, gear try-on, obstacle course, and more. Food trucks will line First Street for fans to get food before the game several local vendors.

Fans are encouraged to line the brick path through Grange Grove to catch a performance from the Marching Illini Drumline at 4:15pm before the Fighting Illini Walk at 4:30pm.

There will also be live music playing in the south area of Grange Grove starting at 5 PM on Friday, September 29. Fans can listen to local band Feudin' Hillbillys on the south stage until 30 minutes prior to kickoff. In the north end of Grange Grove, Louis the Child will take the stage at approximately 5 PM, thanks to a partnership with the University of Illinois Interfraternity Council (IFC). A Chicago-based duo known for their electronic music producing talent, Louis the Child is set to perform in the student tailgate area after the conclusion of the Fighting Illini Walk. Several opening acts will perform before Louis the Child, starting at 3:30 PM. Click here for more information.

HALL OF FAME WEEKEND

Fans are encouraged to join us in several events honoring the inaugural class of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame the weekend of September 29-30.

Prior to the football game on Friday night, Illinois Football legend and member of the inaugural Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame class, Dick Butkus will be outside of the Gameday Spirit store in Grange Grove to sign autographs from 3-4 PM for fans who purchase the new Dick Butkus branded Fighting Illini shirts, manufactured by Original Retro Brand. Several members in the inaugural class will be recognized on the field during halftime of the game, including Illini legends such as Mannie Jackson, Dick Butkus, Perdita Felicien, and more.

The weekend will be capped with the official Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at State Farm Center on Saturday, September 30 at 2 PM. Fans are encouraged to claim complimentary tickets in advance by reserving print-at-home tickets here. The first 500 fans who present print-at-home tickets at the ceremony will receive a free Hall of Fame picture frame. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to join several inductees and family members on the State Farm Center floor at the conclusion of the ceremony for an Inductee Meet & Greet.

For more information about the events surrounding the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame weekend, please click here.

GIVEAWAYS

The first of three Illinois Football collectible pint glasses will be given out to the first 5,000 fans through the gates, featuring the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame logo in recognition of the 28-member inaugural class, as well as the many remarkable Fighting Illini icons who will be named in future classes. Click here for more information on the commemorative giveaway series.

A unique Hall of Fame poster will also be given out to the first 5,000 fans at the game on Friday night.

PARKING AND STREET CLOSURES

ACCESSIBLE PARKING
Those patrons looking for accessible parking starting at 7am may park in the handicapped parking spaces located in the four quadrants of the State Farm Center. After 5pm, there will also be an ADA Shuttle lot located off of South First Street in the Research Park area. An ADA accessible bus will provide transportation from this lot to the stadium prior to game and after the game. The fee for all ADA parking is $20 unless you have an I FUND parking pass. A disabled license plate or handicap placard is required to park in these spaces.

GAME DAY PURCHASE
Patrons looking for single game parking options will have many to choose from starting at 7am on Friday. Lots 46, 47, 49 and the large grass lot located in Research Park off of Oak Street will be available for single game parking starting at 7am. Parking fees for these lots are $20 per automobile. Automobiles with pull behinds will only be allowed in Lot 47 for $40. After 5pm on Friday, September 29th the paved lots in Research Park will be available for single game parking.

GRANGE GROVE
Vehicles will not be allowed inside Grange Grove which will open on Thursday, September 28th from 5pm to 7pm for fans to reserve their spaces and set-up any tailgate items. Grange Grove will reopen at 7am on game day and will remain open until one hour after the conclusion of the game.

MOTOR HOME PARKING
Lot 33 will be available for motor home parking starting on Thursday, September 28th after 6pm. Starting at 7am on game day RVs will either need to pay the $40 to stay in the lot, or relocate to their respective game day pass lot.

PASS LOTS
Game day pass holders in Lots 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 38, 40, 41, 42, 45, 46, and 47 will be able to park in their respective lot starting at 7am on Friday, September 29th .

Game day pass holders in Lots 37 and 43 will not be able to park in their respective lots until 3pm on Friday, September 29th due to University of Illinois employee parking. If you would like to arrive earlier than 3pm to begin your tailgating festivities your pass will be accepted in any game day purchase lot open that day.

STREET CLOSURES
To accommodate normal work week traffic street closure times will vary for the Illinois vs Nebraska football game.

• Kirby Avenue will be closed between First Street and Fourth Street starting at 9 am
• First Street between Peabody Avenue and Kirby Avenue will close starting at 11 am
• First Street between Stadium Drive and Peabody Avenue will close at 4:30 pm
• Peabody Avenue between First Street and Fourth Street will close starting at 4:30 pm

**Closure times subject to change

TICKETS

Fans can purchase tickets to the Fighting Illini Football game versus Nebraska by clicking here or calling the Fighting Illini Ticket Office at 1-866-ILLINI-1.