CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The fan experience at Fighting Illini football games will see many upgrades this season, as Illinois celebrates Memorial Stadium's 100th Anniversary. Below is a list of 10 things fans can look out for when they enter Memorial Stadium for the season opener against Eastern Illinois in 10 days:
• Air Raid Siren: New for 2024, an Illini celebrity will be sound the Illini air raid siren right before kickoff to get the crowd pumped up for the Fighting Illini football team. Former Illini basketball star and recent NBA Draft Pick Terrence Shannon Jr. is scheduled to be the first Illini celebrity sounder for the home opener against Eastern Illinois on Aug. 29.Â
• All-Inclusive 77 Club and Suites: Memorial Stadium suite owners and 77 Club ticket holders will see no additional charges for food and beverage on gameday with a move to an all-inclusive model. Illinois will be one of the first collegiate venues to offer this type of all-inclusive premium amenity to its fans.Â
• ICON On-Field Experience: The ICON Pregame Party, which became popular in the State Farm Center Beer Cave, is coming to Memorial Stadium this season. ICON members at The Quad level and above ($1,000+) will be invited to field level in the south end zone during pregame warmups.
• I FUND, Season Ticket Holder, and ICON Concessions Discount: Fans who purchased or renewed their football season tickets by April 1 will receive 10% off concessions at all home games during the Memorial Stadium 100th Anniversary season, while I FUND members will receive an additional 5% savings for 15% off at Memorial Stadium concession stands. ICON members will receive 15% off at Memorial Stadium concession stands.
• Illini Hour is Back: The popular Illini Hour is returning to Memorial Stadium in 2024. From 90 minutes to 30 minutes before kickoff, all hot dogs, non-alcoholic beverages (excluding souvenir cups), and Carbliss and Nutrl seltzers are just $3 and 24 ounce domestic beers will be $7.Â
• Local Food Vendors: Popular local spots Smith Burger, Big Grove, and Watsons will all have stands throughout Memorial Stadium in 2024.Â
• Throwback Helmets: The Illinois football team will wear four throwback helmets during the Memorial Stadium 100th Anniversary season. The helmet designs cover nearly the entirety of the Fighting Illini program, including the 1920s hand-painted leather helmets from the Red Grange era, the four star helmets from Dick Butkus' era, the arched Illini helmet from the 70s and 80s, and the underlined Illinois helmets that the Illini wore from 1989-2012.Â
• 100th Anniversary Museum: Illinois will install a free pop-up museum celebrating the history of Memorial Stadium inside of the Great West Hall. The museum will feature imagery and artifacts from the greatest moments in Memorial Stadium history.Â
• 100th Anniversary Commemorative Cups: Each game, Memorial Stadium concessions stands will sell commemorative cups that will be specific to the era of the helmet that the Illini are wearing that game. Fans are encouraged to collect all seven cups that will be sold throughout the Memorial Stadium 100th Anniversary season.
• $4 Hot Dogs: Hot dogs at Memorial Stadium concession stands have been reduced to $4 after being priced at $6 last season.Â
Read More: Illinois announced additional fan enhancements earlier in August.
