Buy Tickets | Promotions | Grange Grove
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini Athletics has announced the promotional schedule for the 2025 Fighting Illini football season. Illinois kicks off the 2025 football season at home against Western Illinois on Friday, Aug. 29, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
FAMILLY FUN ZONE EVERY GAME ALL SEASON LONG  – Enjoy the FamILLy Fun Zone in Grange Grove, with bounce houses, face painting, balloon artists, football equipment try-ons, giveaways, posters, tailgating, and more!
Friday, Aug. 29, vs. Western Illinois
6:30 p.m. CT |Â Get Tickets
U. of I. Student Night
Res-Hall Challenge – The residence hall with the most residents in attendance will be rewarded with access to Memorial Stadium for two hours on a separate date.
Greek Recruitment – Fraternity & Sorority Affairs, along with the student leaders of all four councils – Panhellenic Council, Black Greek Council, Interfraternity Council, and United Greek Council – will host a FREE tailgate in Grange Grove pregame with food and giveaways. Once gates open, Greek life members will have tabling in the north student concourse to provide recruitment information and opportunities.
Saturday, Sept. 13, vs. Western Michigan
6 p.m. CT |Â Get Tickets
Celebrate Food and Ag – Join the College of ACES in Grange Grove for Celebrate Food and Ag Day on Sept. 13, an Illinois game day tradition that highlights the impact of agriculture, food, and natural resources on our daily lives. ACES alumni and friends are invited to gather for a festive pregame tailgate. During the game, Dean Germán Bollero will take the field to recognize the importance of this work and the people who power it.
FamILLy Day – In partnership with Illinois' New Student & Family Experiences, an exclusive FamILLy Day tailgate will be held in Grange Grove prior to the Fighting Illini facing Western Michigan. FamILLy Day tailgate passes are SOLD OUT, but FamILLy Day tickets are still available for purchase HERE.
Extra Yard for Teachers – As part of the College Football Playoff Foundation's national platform to promote and reward educators, Illinois will pay tribute to local and national impactful teachers. Teachers will also be offered free tickets to the game. School administrators and principals can contact Josh Joines at jjoines2@illinois.edu or 217-244-9470 to learn more.Â
Band Day – High school bands from across the state will come to perform with the Marching Illini.
Youth Sports Day – Inviting not just football but all youth sports participants and organizations to be a part of Youth Sports Day at Memorial Stadium! A special ticket package includes a Fighting Illini youth jersey (limited quantity available).
CLICK HERE for the Youth Sports Day ticket package info.
Game Sponsor – Ag Day
Saturday, Sept. 27, vs. Southern California
Time TBA |Â Get TicketsÂ
Homecoming – The Illini football game against USC is the final activity in a week-long celebration of Illinois alumni returning to campus. Homecoming week at Illinois celebrates the 113th year of Illinois traditions, including events to celebrate current students, community members, and the more than 400,000 living alumni.
Sunday, Sept. 21: 5K Run / Dyeing of the Fountain / Pancake Breakfast
» Register and find more information: 2025 Homecoming 5K Race
Wednesday, Sept. 24: Greeks Support Homecoming BBQ at South Quad
Friday, Sept. 26: Homecoming Parade
Saturday, Sept. 27: GAME DAY!
» Homecoming Court recognition during the game
Varsity I Weekend – Former student-athlete letterwinners of all sports are invited back to campus to take part in a large reunion.Â
Game Sponsor – Carle Health
Saturday, Oct. 11, vs. Ohio State
Time TBA |Â Get Tickets
Hail To The Orange Out! – Wear Orange!
Giveaway: Orange Rally Towels, sponsored by Toyota
Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Weekend – The Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 will be honored this weekend with on-field recognition during the game, and induction into the Hall on the evening of Friday, Oct 10, (time TBA) inside the State Farm Center. Admission is free and open to all fans. View the Hall of Fame Class of 2025 HERE.
Game Sponsor – Toyota
Saturday, Nov. 1, vs. Rutgers
Time TBA |Â Get Tickets
Dads Day – To continue the proud Illinois tradition of the Dads Association, which began in 1920, the Rutgers game will honor the dads of all Fighting Illini and see King Dad crowned at halftime.
Foundation Weekend – U of I Foundation creates programming for each college and unit to thank and celebrate their many donors and supporters, which includes tailgates, luncheons, and ceremonies. More info can be found HERE.
Game Sponsor – Coca-Cola
Saturday, Nov. 15, vs. Maryland
Time TBA |Â Get Tickets
Military Appreciation Day – This game will honor and recognize those brave servicemen and women who protect our freedom, while also paying tribute to the strong connection and history between the University and the military community.
VetTix (free tickets) via "Coach B's Tickets for Troops" – Coach Bielema and his family have pledged to match tickets purchased by Fighting Illini fans to bring veterans, active-duty military, and their families to Memorial Stadium. Fans are invited to participate by purchasing specially designated $20 tickets through the campaign. For each ticket purchased, Coach Bielema will match it — doubling the impact and the number of honored guests who will get to experience game day at Memorial Stadium.
More info on how fans can contribute is available HERE.
Tickets for the Military Appreciation initiative will be distributed by Vet Tix. Those interested in obtaining tickets through the program can register by visiting vettix.org and creating an account.
Saturday, Nov. 29, vs. Northwestern
Time TBA |Â Get Tickets
Battle for the Land of Lincoln Trophy / Senior Day – Come out and honor the Fighting Illini seniors playing their last regular-season game at Memorial Stadium.
4-Game Mini Plan for $175 – Includes Western Illinois (Aug. 29), Ohio State (Oct. 11), Rutgers (Nov. 1), and Northwestern (Nov. 29). Get Mini Plan tickets HERE
Game Sponsor – Alumni Association
