TailGREAT Returns Saturday, Sept. 21!

Does your tailgate have what it takes to win?

The return of TailGREAT, the popular 1980s tradition of competitive tailgating, will take place Saturday, Sept. 21 when the Illini take on Nebraska at Memorial Stadium. The Fighting Illini will host two exciting TailGREAT competitions to award the Best BBQ and Most Creative Tailgate.

Participants will have the choice of competing from their existing tailgate area or requesting a reserved space in Grange Grove or other DIA-controlled tailgating lots.

Celebrity judges, who will be announced at a later date, will award the tailgates on a predetermined set of criteria.

» Best BBQ: Taste (50 pts), Originality (25 pts), Presentation (25 pts)
» Most Creative: Originality (25 pts), Presentation (25 pts), Unifying Theme (25 pts), Overall Excellence (15 pts), "That Extra Something" (10 pts)

One of the hallmarks of the 80s tradition was the coveted prizes. And this year's competition prizes will similarly reward those winning tailgates.

» First Prize: Four-night (land only) VIP Experience at the 2020 Kentucky Derby (two tickets to the Kentucky Derby, four nights deluxe hotel accommodations, along with tours, receptions, and souvenirs)
» Second Prize: Memorial Stadium Suite Experience for any remaining game during the 2019 football season (16 tickets, parking pass, all-inclusive food and beverages)
» Third Prize: $500 shopping spree at Gameday Spirit and a Coke Tailgate Package (includes tent, tailgating chairs and cooler)

*Click here for official rules and regularions

NEBRASKA 4 PACK: Get four tickets for Illinois' B1G home opener vs. the Nebraska Cornhuskers for just $89, for a savings of $51 off the single game price.Single-game tickets for all seven home games of the 2019 Fighting Illini football season start as low as $20 for non-conference games or $35 for Big Ten competition. Illinois hosts five B1G matchups this season with the Michigan Wolverines returning to Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2011.

SEASON TICKETS: The I FUND 4 Pack provides the best deal in Memorial Stadium with four tickets for all seven home games, a season parking pass and an I FUND membership for just $349. A variety of other season ticket options are also currently on sale in the Illinois Ticket Office. Tickets for all seven home games for reserved seats are $339 in the prime area, $259 on the sideline, $175 in the orange zone and $139 in the horseshoe and blue zone. Premium seats in the Colonnades Club are available for just $999. 

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