Buy Illinois Football Tickets | 2025 Game Schedule

Watch the Fighting Illini vie for Big Ten championships with your Illinois football tickets from TicketSmarter. The Illini got their start in 1890 when Scott Williams quarterbacked and coached the founding team. While he was an admirable quarterback, he was relieved of his coaching duties after just one season. Robert Lackey took over and led the Fighting Illini to their first undefeated season.

Illinois joined the Big Ten Conference in 1896. The conference has remained throughout the centuries, making it the longest-running conference in all of college football. A few decades later, Robert Zuppke took over as head coach and ushered in a new era of Illini football. Zuppke's teams attracted plenty of attention. Their average attendance at home games rose from 4,500 to 60,000. Multiple undefeated seasons were strung together until the school's first national championship in 1914. During that first championship run, the Fighting Illini suffocated their opponents. They outscored their opponents by a combined score of 224-22.

After Zuppke's retirement in 1941, the Ray Eliot era began. During his 18 season run as head coach, the Illini won multiple Big Ten titles and a statement 45-14 Rose Bowl win over the UCLA Bruins. Illinois football tickets have been purchased for numerous Rose Bowl games and matches against the Ohio State Buckeyes over the years. When they took on the Stanford Cardinal at the 1952 Rose Bowl, it became the first nationally televised college football game in history.

The second half of the 20th century proved to be moderately mediocre for the Fighting Illini. They burned through multiple head coaches, including a few recently fired NFL coaches. John Mackovic took over head coaching duties from 1988-1991 after being the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Lovie Smith was hired in 2016 after coaching the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith helped lead the Illinois football team to crucial victories over number six ranked Wisconsin and Michigan State during the 2019 season. They appeared in the Redbox Bowl against the Cal Bears.

How Much Are Illinois Fighting Illini Football Tickets?

Ticket prices for Illinois Fighting Illini Football games vary depending on opponent, venue, and seating location. On average, tickets start at affordable prices and can range higher for premium seating or marquee games. Use TicketSmarter to compare prices and find the best seats for your budget.

Average Get-In Price: $172.39 per ticket
Budget-Friendly Tickets: Fans can find Illinois Football tickets starting at as low as $25.74
VIP Suites & Premium Stadium Seats: Premium suits and fieldside seats cost as much as $1383.75 a ticket

When do Illinois Football tickets go on sale?

105 Illinois Fighting Illini Football tickets are available immediately for purchase to Western Illinois Leathernecks at Illinois Fighting Illini Football.

Where can I buy Illinois Football tickets?

You can purchase your Illinois Football tickets directly from TicketSmarter. We have tickets to all upcoming Illinois Fighting Illini Football games. All NCAA football tickets are backed with our 100% Guarantee.

How to find cheap Illinois Football tickets?

Fans looking to stick to a budget can find cheap Illinois Football tickets by selecting seats in the back of the stadium. These seats are often listed for a great price.

Illinois Football 2025 Game Schedule

Stay updated on the latest Illinois Fighting Illini Football schedule to find the game you want to attend. Scroll up to find all of Illinois Football upcoming games for this season.

When does Illinois Football play next?

Illinois Football next game is on August 30th, 2025 at 12:00am. The team will play at Memorial Stadium- IL in Champaign, IL

What are the best seating options for Illinois Football games?

The Illinois Fighting Illini Football team plays its home games at Memorial Stadium- IL at 1800 South 1st Street, Champaign, IL.

Midfield seats have a perfect view of the whole field, and sideline seats give an awesome view of the game at a slightly lower cost. End zone seats are cheaper and ideal for fans who want to watch scoring plays, while the student section is the perfect choice for anyone wanting an up-tempo experience. Club seating and the high-end suites offer the most expensive amenities, such as private lounges and meals. Corner seats are a nice compromise between being cheap and getting decent views, and on the upper deck, you get panoramic views of the field at a reasonable price. Use the seating chart tool for the game you want to see to find your perfect seats.

Experience Game Day - Secure Your Illinois Fighting Illini Football Tickets Today!

Enjoy NCAA football to the fullest with TicketSmarter! From seamless ticket purchases to interactive seating maps and trusted guarantees, we’re here to make your Illinois Fighting Illini Football experience unforgettable.