CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Following the most successful season in 15 years and one of the Fighting Illini's most successful NFL Drafts in decades, momentum continues to build at a historic rate around the Illinois football program. Memorial Stadium will be the place to be this fall with an impressive 93% renewal rate and over 6,500 new season tickets already sold since the FamILLy First campaign launched on February 22.

Through the season ticket renewal period ending last week, 93% of last year's Illini season-ticket holders had renewed for 2023. The rate is Illinois' best since at least the 2008 Rose Bowl and ahead of each of the last two seasons, which finished at 86%.

Illinois' 6,500 new season tickets sold are also the Illini's most since the 2008 Rose Bowl. Season tickets remain on sale as part of the FamILLy First campaign, featuring an average reduction of ticket prices by 17 percent across the stadium.

New season ticket holders will enjoy a number of benefits, most notably the reduction in prices and season tickets starting as low as $99. FamILLy First season ticket holder benefits also include game day deals on concessions and merchandise from Gameday Spirit and savings on golf rounds at the Atkins Golf Club at the University of Illinois.

Illinois opens the season Saturday, September 2 against Toledo at Memorial Stadium. Kick time for the Illini's opening game will be announced later this spring.

Season tickets are on sale at FightingIllini.com. The Illinois Ticket Office can be reached at 1-866-ILLINI-1 from 12-5 p.m. Monday-Friday or by visiting the office located in the west entrance of State Farm Center during business hours Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.