Illini sporting events are favorites of Champaign-Urbana families — and here’s why
There’s no reason you can’t be a passionate Illini sports fan after having kids. In fact, you might even find that you enjoy Illini games with a different perspective once kids are in tow.
But your enjoyment rests — in part — on what you know before you even arrive. So how to do it? Here are a few tips:
1. Most events are free to attend. Yes, free. The majority of sporting events (link to full calendar) at the University of Illinois have no admission charge – zero, zip, nada. The ones that do have an admission charge are: volleyball, women’s basketball, and the two biggies – men’s basketball and football. But if you sign up your kids for the kids club…
2. Look out for special promotions. For little kids, the game action is often secondary to all the other fun stuff going on. Some Illini games have special elements such as autographs, special halftime shows, special food deals – or even free food! We sometimes call these out in our Weekend Planner, but you can look at all of them in this nifty page on the Fighting Illini website promotions page.
3. Don’t dismiss the “less popular” sports, especially for kids. We love men’s basketball and football, but we’ve found that our kids love to get close to the action and feel much more a part of the atmosphere when we go to events that don’t draw the same kinds of crowds. Women’s basketball is a great way to introduce kids to State Farm Center and the basketball energy; there’s cheerleaders, pep band, etc. Volleyball is a fantastic atmosphere. And the sports that are outside have plenty of room for kids to run around. Don’t all the athletes deserve our support?
4. Go to special events — even if you’re not going to the game. During football season, there’s Grange Grove (and tailgates of course) that will get your family involved in game day — whether or not you have tickets. There are free activities at each game, such as inflatable games, face painting and much more. No ticket is necessary. The homecoming parade and pep rally is always fun. We’ll post these special events on our events calendar as we hear about them!
5. Pay attention to camps, clinics, or other such events. Some sports offer free clinics, although registration may be required; some may have fees. Home matches or meets sometimes include Kids Clinics as well. In the summer, the athletic department offers camps for kids of all ages, including some parent-child camps.
6. Lap tickets. Yes it’s true: everyone needs a ticket to get into football and men’s basketball games regardless of age. But infants and toddlers ages 2 and under are allowed to enter Memorial Stadium or the State Farm Center at a discounted ticket price. For a few dollars, fans can purchase a lap ticket on the day of the game, but the infant or toddler must sit in the lap of an adult during the game. Lap tickets may not be purchased for use in the suites or club areas and cannot be used at postseason events. A game ticket must be presented in order to purchase a lap seat.
7. Bring a stroller to a game at State Farm Center, Huff Hall or Memorial Stadium at your own risk. Strollers are not allowed in those buildings; but many people have told us they leave their strollers outside. There are clear policies against strollers at those venues, but not defined for other places.
8. Be sure to know the rules regarding what you can bring into Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center. There’s a Clear Bag Policy, and we’ve put together a comprehensive post that explains how fans can best handle the situation.
9. Reminder: Beer is sold in general seating areas at Memorial Stadium, State Farm Center, Illinois Field, Eichelberger Field and Damirjian Park. You can check out the details here. Fans are expected to behave and know their limits, but understand that you have the right to alert facility personnel if you feel someone’s behavior is out of line.
10. Sign up your kids for the Fighting Illini Kids Club. The All-American package includes, among others things, two tickets to a select football game, free admission to all volleyball matches, two tickets to a select men’s basketball game and free admission to all regular season women’s basketball games.
Upcoming Illini Sporting Events
Friday, March 28, 2025
47th Annual National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
State Farm Center, Time: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
The University of Illinois and Illinois Wheelchair Athletics is proud to be the host for the 47th Annual National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (NIWBT) from March 25-29, 2025, at State Farm Center. As the flagship program within wheelchair athletics, Illinois brings a long history of excellence at the Intercollegiate Wheelchair…
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Washington
Eichelberger Field, Time: 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Washington on Friday, March 28 at 5pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
47th Annual National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
State Farm Center, Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
The University of Illinois and Illinois Wheelchair Athletics is proud to be the host for the 47th Annual National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (NIWBT) from March 25-29, 2025, at State Farm Center. As the flagship program within wheelchair athletics, Illinois brings a long history of excellence at the Intercollegiate Wheelchair…
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Washington
Eichelberger Field, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Washington on Saturday, March 29 at 1pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Western Illinois
Eichelberger Field, Time: 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Western Illinois on Tuesday, April 1 at 5pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Illinois State
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Illinois State on Tuesday, April 1 at 6pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Friday, April 4, 2025
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Maryland
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Maryland on Friday, April 4 at 6pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Fighting Illini Women's Tennis vs. Penn State
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 12:00 pm
The Fighting Illini Women's Tennis team takes on Penn State at Atkins Tennis Center on Saturday, April 5th at 12pm. Matchday Information Parking Reserved "Permit Only" and accessible parking is located in the paved lot on the south side of Atkins Tennis Center. Public parking is located in the grass…
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Maryland
Illinois Field, Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Maryland on Saturday, April 5 at 3pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Fighting Illini Women's Tennis vs. Ohio State
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 12:00 pm
The Fighting Illini Women's Tennis team takes on Ohio State at Atkins Tennis Center on Sunday, April 6th at 12pm. Matchday Information Parking Reserved "Permit Only" and accessible parking is located in the paved lot on the south side of Atkins Tennis Center. Public parking is located in the grass…
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Maryland
Illinois Field, Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Maryland on Sunday, April 6 at 1pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Friday, April 11, 2025
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Indiana
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Indiana on Friday, April 11 at 6pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Men's Tennis vs. Ohio State
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 6:00 pm
The Fighting Illini Men's Tennis team takes on Ohio State at Atkins Tennis Center on Friday, April 11th at 16pm. Parking Reserved "Permit Only" and accessible parking is located in the paved lot on the south side of Atkins Tennis Center. Public parking is located in the grass area to…
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Michigan State
Eichelberger Field, Time: 7:30 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Michigan State on Friday, April 11 at 7:30pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Michigan State
Eichelberger Field, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Michigan State on Saturday, April 12 at 1pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Indiana
Illinois Field, Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Indiana on Saturday, April 12 at 3pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Men's Tennis vs. Penn State
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 6:00 pm
The Fighting Illini Men's Tennis team takes on Penn State at Atkins Tennis Center on Saturday, April 12th at 6pm. Parking Reserved "Permit Only" and accessible parking is located in the paved lot on the south side of Atkins Tennis Center. Public parking is located in the grass area to…
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Michigan State
Eichelberger Field, Time: 12:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Michigan State on Sunday, April 13 at 12pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Indiana
Illinois Field, Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Indiana on Sunday, April 13 at 1pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. SIUE
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on SIUE on Tuesday, April 15 at 6pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Valparaiso
Eichelberger Field, Time: 4:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Valparaiso on Wednesday, April 16 at 4pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Fighting Illini Softball vs. DePaul
Eichelberger Field, Time: 4:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play DePaul on Tuesday, April 22 at 4pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Northern Illinois
Eichelberger Field, Time: 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Northern Illinois on Tuesday, April 22 at 4pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Friday, April 25, 2025
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Purdue
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Purdue on Friday, April 25 at 6pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Purdue
Illinois Field, Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Purdue on Saturday, April 26 at 6pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Purdue
Illinois Field, Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Purdue on Sunday, April 27 at 1pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Eastern Illinois
Eichelberger Field, Time: 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Eastern Illinois on Wednesday, April 30 at 5pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Friday, May 2, 2025
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Ohio State
Eichelberger Field, Time: 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Ohio State on Friday, May 2 at 5pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Ohio State
Eichelberger Field, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Ohio State on Saturday, May 3 at 1pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Ohio State
Eichelberger Field, Time: 12:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Ohio State on Sunday, May 4 at 12pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Bradley
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Bradley on Tuesday, May 6 at 6pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Friday, May 9, 2025
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. UCLA
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on UCLA on Friday, May 9 at 6pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. UCLA
Illinois Field, Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on UCLA on Saturday, May 10 at 3pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. UCLA
Illinois Field, Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on UCLA on Sunday, May 11 at 12pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.