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State Farm Center
Illinois has an outstanding home in State Farm Center. Known as Assembly Hall from its construction in 1963 to 2013, the iconic arena was renamed State Farm Center on April 29, 2013, with the announcement of a 30-year, $60 million naming rights agreement. State Farm Center underwent a complete renovation from 2014-16, dubbed the Illinois Renaissance. The $169.5-million project included a renovated seating bowl; the addition of four levels of premium seating; improved restrooms and concessions; a team hall of fame; air conditioning and many other amenities. Construction occurred around each Fighting Illini basketball season, with the project completed in the fall of 2016. Seating capacity for Fighting Illini basketball following State Farm Center renovations is 15,544.
The historic building opened on March 2, 1963, and continues to attract attention for its design and construction. Four hundred feet across, it at one time was one of only two edge-supported domes in the world. The roof is supported by 614 miles of one-quarter inch steel wire wrapped at the base of the dome under intensive pressure. The architect was Max Abramovitz, a distinguished University of Illinois alumnus.
| M Basketball Attendance Records |
| Date |
Opponent/Result |
Attend. |
| 2/12/2015 |
Illinois 64, Michigan 52 (OT) |
17,087 |
| 3/4/2015 |
Illinois 69, Nebraska 57 |
17,085 |
| 1/18/2015 |
Indiana 80, Illinois 74 |
17,085 |
| 2/12/2005 |
Illinois 70, Wisconsin 59 |
16,865 |
| 3/9/1996 |
Minnesota 67, Illinois 66 |
16,863 |
| 3/1/1987 |
Illinois 69, Indiana 67 |
16,793 |
| 1/21/1982 |
Indiana 54, Illinois 53 |
16,768 |
| 1/27/1985 |
Illinois 52, Indiana 41 |
16,764 |
| 3/7/1985 |
Illinois 59, Iowa 53 (OT) |
16,752 |
| 12/19/1987 |
North Carolina 85, Illinois 74 |
16,712 |
| 1/29/2005 |
Illinois 89, Minnesota 66 |
16,694 |
| 8 games at 16,683 |
The Illinois men's team opened play at State Farm Center on March 4, 1963, with a 79-73 victory over Northwestern. Since that first game, the Illini have accumulated a 658-189 (.777) record. Illinois has sold out a total of 273 games at State Farm Center and has ranked in the top 25 nationally in home attendance 41 of the last 43 years.
Fans help turn State Farm Center into a sea of orange for every Illini home game, with practically every person in attendance proudly wearing orange. That, combined with the Orange Krush student cheering section surrounding the court, gives the Illini one of the best home court advantages in the country.
The Fighting Illini women's team opened play at the State Farm Center on Nov. 20, 1981 with a 79-66 victory over Loyola. The Illini finished their first stint at The Hall on March 13, 1993. After playing five seasons in the gymnasium at Huff Hall, with three single games at the State Farm Center, the Fighting Illini moved back down Fourth Street permanently on November 23, 1998. The women's team has brought in a multitude of fans for games with its largest crowd being the 16,050 fans that entered the gates on Feb. 23, 1997.
In addition to hosting the Fighting Illini, the State Farm Center also holds performances for Broadway musicals, concerts and other shows.
