First Three Illini Football Game Times, TV Designations Announced
May 27, 2026 | Football
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The first three game times and broadcast designations for the Illinois football team's 2026 schedule have been set, the Big Ten Conference and its television partners announced Wednesday.
The Fighting Illini's season opener against UAB has been moved to Thursday, Sept. 3, with kickoff from Gies Memorial Stadium slated for 8 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
In Week 2, Illinois hosts defending ACC Champion Duke on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 2:30 p.m. CT, with the matchup between the Illini and the Blue Devils broadcast on FS1.
The following week, the Orange and Blue welcome Southern Illinois to Champaign on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff vs. the Salukis is set for 1 p.m. CT on Peacock.
The Big Ten and FOX previously announced that two Illinois games – Nov. 6 vs. Nebraska (7 p.m. CT) and Nov. 13 at UCLA (8 p.m. CT) – were selected for Friday night primetime broadcasts.
In addition, Illinois' Homecoming matchup vs. Purdue on Saturday, Oct. 3, and the Illini's road game at Michigan State on Oct. 10, are both slated to kick off no later than 4 p.m. CT. Final kick times will be set no later than 12 days prior to each matchup.
Game times for any remaining contests will be selected during the in-season 12- and 6-day selection process.
Limited Fighting Illini season tickets are available. With momentum continuing to build around the program, Illinois' on-field success has led to historic crowds at Gies Memorial Stadium, and remaining tickets are expected to sell quickly. For more information visit the 2026 Season Tickets Central page.
2026 Illinois Football Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (TV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Sept. 3 | UAB | Gies Memorial Stadium | 8 p.m. CT (BTN) |
| Sat., Sept. 12 | Duke (Hall of Fame Weekend/FamILLy Day) | Gies Memorial Stadium | 2:30 p.m. CT (FS1) |
| Sat., Sept. 19 | Southern Illinois | Gies Memorial Stadium | 1 p.m. CT (Peacock) |
| Sat., Sept. 26 | at Ohio State | Columbus, Ohio | TBD |
| Sat., Oct. 3 | Purdue (Homecoming) | Gies Memorial Stadium | TBD |
| Sat., Oct. 10 | at Michigan State | East Lansing, Mich. | TBD |
| Sat., Oct. 17 | OFF | ||
| Sat., Oct. 24 | Oregon (Foundation Weekend) | Gies Memorial Stadium | TBD |
| Sat., Oct. 31 | at Maryland | College Park, Md. | TBD |
| Fri., Nov. 6 | Nebraska (Dads Day/Military Appreciation) | Gies Memorial Stadium | 7 p.m. CT (FOX) |
| Fri., Nov. 13 | at UCLA | Pasadena, Calif. | 8 p.m. CT (FOX) |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Iowa (Senior Day) | Gies Memorial Stadium | TBD |
| Sat., Nov. 28 | at Northwestern | Evanston, Ill. | TBD |
All dates are subject to change.
