CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Following a nine-win regular season, Illinois will begin accepting deposits for new season ticket holders for the 2025 season, the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced. Deposits are now open, giving new season ticket holders their first chance to guarantee themselves a seat at Memorial Stadium. Current 2024 Illinois football season ticket holders do not need to make a deposit.
While demand continues to increase quickly as Illinois has built itself into a top-25 program, Illinois will stay committed to its Fighting Illini FamILLy by offering affordable access points to all fans in 2025. Illinois will offer the cheapest season ticket in the Big Ten — horseshoe season tickets priced at $98 — and 50-yard line seats at Memorial Stadium will be priced among the best values in the conference.Â
The momentum that Illinois has been building since head coach Bret Bielema's arrival in 2021 took a major leap forward in 2024. The Illini won nine regular season games for the eighth time in program history and averaged 54,750 fans during seven home games at Memorial Stadium, the highest single-season average since 2009.Â
Over the last four seasons, Illinois has experienced the largest growth in attendance in the nation and the largest growth in the Big Ten by a wide margin. Average attendance increased by nearly 20,000 from 2021 to 2024, ranking Illinois #1 in the nation in three-year growth (+19,403 average attendance gained) and #9 in the nation in percentage growth (+54.89% attendance increase).Â
Even with Illinois' continued success on the field and in the seats, there is still room for growth at Memorial Stadium. The Illini sold out two games in 2024, the program's first time with two sellouts since 2009, and supply will quickly become limited in 2025. Illinois' 2025 home schedule features Big Ten games against nationally-ranked Ohio State, new Big Ten member USC, rival Northwestern, as well as east coast visitors Maryland and Rutgers, while the nonconference schedule includes Western Illinois (Aug. 30) and Western Michigan (Sept. 13).
New season ticket deposits can be made online at FightingIllini.com or by speaking with a Fighting Illini Account Manager. Current 2024 Illinois football season ticket holders do not need to make a deposit for 2025 Illinois football season tickets.
Deposits are non-refundable and just $50 per seat. Deposits will be applied to season ticket orders at the time of purchase. Fans who submit a season ticket deposit will be notified in March of 2025 on how to select their season ticket location.
The deadline to make a deposit is March 1, 2025.
For more information on the 2025 Memorial Stadium reseating process and I FUND modernization, visit IlliniERA.com.
