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:
Chambanamoms thanks Illinois Athletics for presenting this article.
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. Sign up your kids for the Fighting Illini Kids Club. There is a free package (dubbed “Rookie”) and also a $35 “All-American” package. The premium package includes, among others things, two tickets to a select football game; free admission to nearly all volleyball matches; two tickets to a select men’s basketball game; and free admission to all regular season women’s basketball games.
3. 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.
4. 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 atmosphere; 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?
RELATED: Best Kept Secret — Volleyball and Women’s Basketball Combo Season Tickets (be sure to check for updated 2023-24 ticket prices)
5. 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!
6. 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.
7. 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 $5, 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
(Full disclosure: chambanamoms has long enjoyed a great partnership with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, but the opinions in this article are ours and ours alone.)
Upcoming Illini Sporting Events
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk
Memorial Stadium, Time: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Cheer on the Orange and Blue as the Fighting Illini Football team prepares for game day! The Illini welcome Florida Atlantic this week. Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Walk Illini vs Florida Atlantic Saturday, September 23 Times are TBA 3 hours prior to kickoff - Kids Zone Opens 2 hours…read more…
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Illini Volleyball vs. Michigan State
Huff Hall, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Volleyball team as they take on Michigan State on Sunday, September 24 at 1pm. TV: B1G+ Fans will be able to purchase season and single-match tickets to all home matches via FightingIllini.com, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office located in…read more…
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Michigan
Demirjian Park, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Michigan on Sunday, September 24 at 1pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Due to unpredictable weather, events may be delayed or postponed without notice. Promotions are subject to change at any time.…read more…
Friday, September 29, 2023
Illini Volleyball vs. Penn State
Huff Hall, Time: 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Volleyball team as they take on Penn State on Friday, September 29 at 8pm. TV: BTN Fans will be able to purchase season and single-match tickets to all home matches via FightingIllini.com, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office located in…read more…
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Illini Volleyball vs. Iowa
Huff Hall, Time: 6:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Volleyball team as they take on Iowa on Saturday, September at 6pm. TV: B1G+ Fans will be able to purchase season and single-match tickets to all home matches via FightingIllini.com, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office located in the west…read more…
Friday, October 6, 2023
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk
Memorial Stadium, Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Celebrate and Cheer on the Fighting Illini Football team at family-friendly Grange Grove and the Fighting Illini Walk.
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Illini Swimming and Diving Blue v. Orange Meet
UIUC ARC, Time: 10:00 am
Cheer on the University of Illinois Swimming and Diving team during the Blue v. Orange Meet at the ARC pool! Meets are free to attend!
Illini Volleyball vs. Wisconsin
Huff Hall, Time: 6:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Volleyball team as they take on Wisconsin on Saturday, October 7 at 6pm. Fans will be able to purchase season and single-match tickets to all home matches via FightingIllini.com, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office located in the west lobby…read more…
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Wisconsin
Demirjian Park, Time: 7:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Wisconsin on Thursday, October 12 at 7pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Due to unpredictable weather, events may be delayed or postponed without notice. Promotions are subject to change at any time.…read more…
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Illini Volleyball vs. Rutgers
Huff Hall, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Volleyball team as they take on Rutgers on Sunday, October 15 at 1pm. TV: B1G+ Fans will be able to purchase season and single-match tickets to all home matches via FightingIllini.com, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office located in the…read more…
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Purdue
Demirjian Park, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Purdue on Sunday, October 15, at 1pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Due to unpredictable weather, events may be delayed or postponed without notice. Promotions are subject to change at any time.…read more…
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk - Homecoming Weekend
Memorial Stadium, Time: All Day
Cheer on the Orange and Blue as the Fighting Illini Football team prepares for game day! The Illini welcome Wisconsin this week.Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Walk Illini vs Wisconsin Saturday, October 21 *times are TBA 3 hours prior to kickoff - Kids Zone Opens 2 hours prior to kickoff…read more…
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Nebraska
Demirjian Park, Time: 12:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Nebraska on Sunday, October 22 at 12pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Due to unpredictable weather, events may be delayed or postponed without notice. Promotions are subject to change at any time.…read more…
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Illini Volleyball vs. Indiana
Huff Hall, Time: 7:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Volleyball team as they take on Indiana on Wednesday, October 25 at 7pm. TV: BTN Fans will be able to purchase season and single-match tickets to all home matches via FightingIllini.com, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office located in the…read more…
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Illini Volleyball vs. Purdue
Huff Hall, Time: 6:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Volleyball team as they take on Purdue on Saturday, October 28 at 6pm. TV: BTN or B1G+ Fans will be able to purchase season and single-match tickets to all home matches via FightingIllini.com, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office located…read more…
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Illini Volleyball vs. Northwestern
Huff Hall, Time: 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Volleyball team as they take on Northwestern on Wednesday, November 4 at 8pm. TV: BTN Fans will be able to purchase season and single-match tickets to all home matches via FightingIllini.com, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office located in the…read more…
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Illini Swimming and Diving vs. Vanderbilt
UIUC ARC, Time: 11:00 am
Come cheer on the Illinois women’s swimming and diving team as they take on Vanderbilt at the ARC pool! Meets are free to attend.
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Fighting Illini Football vs. Indiana | Dad's Weekend
Memorial Stadium, Time: All Day
Join as the Fighting Illini take on Indiana at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday, November 11th for Dad's Weekend!
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk
Memorial Stadium, Time: All Day
Cheer on the Orange and Blue as the Fighting Illini Football team prepares for game day! The Illini welcome Indiana State this week.Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Walk Illini vs Indiana Saturday, November 11 *times are approximate and subject to change Times are TBA 3 hours prior to kickoff -…read more…
Friday, November 17, 2023
Illini Volleyball vs. Ohio State
Huff Hall, Time: All Day
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Volleyball team as they take on Ohio State on Friday, November 17. TV: BTN Fans will be able to purchase season and single-match tickets to all home matches via FightingIllini.com, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office located in the west…read more…
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Illini Volleyball vs. Michigan
Huff Hall, Time: 6:30 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Volleyball team as they take on Minnesota on Saturday, November 18 at 6pm. TV: B1G+ Fans will be able to purchase season and single-match tickets to all home matches via FightingIllini.com, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office located in the…read more…
Friday, November 24, 2023
Illini Volleyball vs. Minnesota
Huff Hall, Time: 6:30 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Volleyball team as they take on Minnesota on Friday, November 24 at 6:30pm. TV: BTN or B1G+ Fans will be able to purchase season and single-match tickets to all home matches via FightingIllini.com, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office located…read more…
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk
Memorial Stadium, Time: All Day
Cheer on the Orange and Blue as the Fighting Illini Football team prepares for game day! The Illini welcome Northwestern this week.Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Walk Illini vs Northwestern Saturday, November 25 *times are approximate and subject to change Kickoff is at 11 a.m. 3 hours prior to kickoff…read more…
Friday, January 12, 2024
Illini Swimming and Diving vs. Iowa
UIUC ARC, Time: 11:00 am
Come cheer on the Illinois women’s swimming and diving team as they take on Iowa at the ARC pool! Meets are free to attend.
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Illini Swimming and Diving vs. Nebraska
UIUC ARC, Time: 11:00 am
Come cheer on the Illinois women’s swimming and diving team as they take on Nebraska at the ARC pool! Meets are free to attend.