CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois soccer has announced its 2026 schedule on Thursday (May 21), featuring 10 matches at Demirjian Park this season.
The 30th season of Fighting Illini soccer begins with a four-match home stand starting on Thursday, Aug. 13 with Georgia. The following week sees Cincinnati come into town on Thursday, Aug. 20 and UIC on Sunday, Aug. 23. Saint Louis travels to Champaign on Thursday, Aug. 27 to close the Orange and Blue's season opening home stand.
Illinois first hits the road the following week on Thursday, Sept. 3 with Western Michigan before traveling to play Virginia Tech on Sunday, Sept. 6.
The Illini open Big Ten play the next week at home on Thursday, Sept. 10 against Wisconsin before hosting Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 13. Illinois then hits the road for its first away swing of conference action, traveling to Iowa on Sunday, Sept. 20 and Purdue on Thursday, Sept. 24.
Conference play returns to Champaign on Sunday, Sept. 27, when the Illini welcome Oregon to Demirjian Park. Illinois will remain home the following weekend, hosting Michigan State on Sunday, Oct. 4.
The Orange and Blue then head west for a two-match road trip, facing USC on Thursday, Oct. 8 and UCLA on Sunday, Oct. 11.
Illinois continues conference play with a trip to Nebraska on Sunday, Oct. 18 before returning home to host in-state rival Northwestern on Thursday, Oct. 22.
The Illini close out the regular season with a road matchup at Ohio State on Sunday, Oct. 25, followed by the last home match against Minnesota at Demirjian Park on Friday, Oct. 30.
2026 Illinois Soccer Schedule (Times CT)
Wednesday, Aug. 5, vs. Central Michigan (Exh.) - 11 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8, at Marquette (Exh.) - 5 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13, vs. Georgia - 6 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 20, vs. Cincinnati - 6 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 23, vs. UIC - 5 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 27, vs. Saith Louis - 6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 3, at Western Michigan - 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6, at Virginia Tech - 11 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 10, vs. Wisconsin - 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Michigan - 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 20, at Iowa - 5 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 24, at Purdue - 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 27, vs. Oregon - 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 4, vs. Michigan State - 1 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 8, at USC - TBD
Sunday, Oct. 11, at UCLA - 3 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18, at Nebraska - 1 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22, vs. Northwestern - 6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 25, at Ohio State - 11 a.m.
Friday, Oct. 30, vs. Minnesota - 6 p.m.
