CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois football team will host UAB in a nonconference matchup to open its 2026 season, the program announced Thursday. The season-opening game is scheduled for Sept. 5, 2026.
The matchup against UAB finalizes Illinois' 2026 nonconference schedule, which includes games against Duke (Sept. 12) and Southern Illinois (Sept. 19). The Fighting Illini's three nonconference games will all be played at Gies Memorial Stadium.Â
The remainder of Illinois' 2026 schedule will be announced at a later date. The Big Ten previously announced that Illinois would host Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon, and Purdue in 2026, with road trips scheduled to Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, and UCLA.
