GAMEDAY CENTRAL | FAN GUIDE | GET TICKETS

The Fighting Illini welcome the Akron Zips to Memorial Stadium on Saturday to open the 130th season of Illinois football (11 am on BTN).

GRANGE GROVE

Now in its sixth season, Grange Grove is THE destination for pregame activities at Memorial Stadium. Don't miss the former letterwinner autograph tent, food trucks, beer tent, live music and tons of kid-friendly activities before each home game. 

Grange Grove opens for tailgating at 7 a.m., and will feature all the pregame traditions of Illini Walk and the Marching Illini drumline with the family fun of tailgating, the Family Fun Zone and live musical entertainment, beginning three hours before kickoff each game day.  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.

Fans are encouraged to line the brick path through Grange Grove to catch a performance from the Marching Illini Drumline at 8:45 a.m. before the Fighting Illini Walk as the team enters the stadium.  

TICKETS

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