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: volleyball, women’s basketball, and the two biggies — men’s basketball and football.
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
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Fighting Illini Softball vs. UCLA
Eichelberger Field, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play UCLA on Saturday, April 11 at 1pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. New Orleans | A Game Unlike Any Other
Illinois Field, Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on New Orleans on Saturday, April 11 at 3pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. A Game Unlike Any Other - Celebrate Masters weekend at the ballpark with specialty concessions items, golf-themed promotions throughout the game,…
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. New Orleans | Kids Zone & Kids Run the Bases
Illinois Field, Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on New Orleans on Sunday, April 12 at 11am Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Kids Zone - Inflatables, lawn games and more at all Sunday home games! (weather permitting) Kids Run the Bases - Young Illini…
Fighting Illini Softball vs. UCLA
Eichelberger Field, Time: 12:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play UCLA on Sunday, April 12 at 12pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Women's Tennis vs. USC
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 12:00 pm
The Fighting Illini Women's Tennis team takes on USC at Atkins Tennis Center on Sunday, April 12th at 4pm. 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 area…
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
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 14 at 6pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Fighting Illini Softball vs. SEMO
Eichelberger Field, Time: 4:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play UCLA on Wednesday, April 15 at 4pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Friday, April 17, 2026
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Oregon | FamILLy Day Friday & 9 Innings of Winning
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Oregon on Friday, April 17 at 6pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. 9 Innings of Winning - Enter to win exclusive prizes throughout the entire game! Winners will be selected after every inning. More information…
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Fighting Illini Men's Tennis vs. Northwestern
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 12:00 pm
The Fighting Illini Men's Tennis team takes on Northwestern at Atkins Tennis Center on Saturday, April 19th at 6pm. Senior Day - Join us in honoring the senior class of Illinois Men's Tennis Post-Match Court Access - Refine your own tennis skills with a 30-minute "open court" following each match! Food truck - Patty Daddy's free food voucher…
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Oregon | Trading Card Giveaway
Illinois Field, Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Oregon on Saturday, April 18 at 3pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Trading Card Giveaway - Early arriving fans will receive the second set of 2026 Illinois Baseball trading cards (limit 1 per person).…
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Oregon | Youth Baseball Day, Kids Zone, Kids Run the Bases
Illinois Field, Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Oregon on Saturday, April 18 at 1pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Youth Baseball Day - Register your youth team HERE to sign up and receive more information. All teams ages 8th grade and under are…
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Indiana State
Eichelberger Field, Time: 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Indiana State on Tuesday, April 21 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 21 at 6pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Friday, April 24, 2026
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Penn State
Eichelberger Field, Time: 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Penn State on Friday, April 24 at 5pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Nebraska | Postgame Fireworks & FamILLy Day Friday
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Nebraska on Friday, April 24 at 6pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Postgame Fireworks - Stick around after the game for our annual postgame fireworks show! FamILLy Day Friday - 4 hot dogs, 4 popcorns,…
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Penn State
Eichelberger Field, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Penn State on Saturday, April 25 at 1pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Nebraska | Bleacher Bum BBQ & Trading Card Giveaway
Illinois Field, Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Nebraska on Saturday, April 25 at 3pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Bleacher Bum BBQ - More information coming soon! Trading Card Giveaway - Early arriving fans will receive the third set of 2026 Illinois…
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Penn State
Eichelberger Field, Time: 12:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Penn State on Sunday, April 26 at 12pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Nebraska | Honor & Serve (Military Appreciation), Kids Zone & Kids Run the Bases
Illinois Field, Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Nebraska on Sunday, April 26 at 1pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Honor & Serve (Military Appreciation) - More information coming soon! Kids Zone - Inflatables, lawn games and more at all Sunday home games!…
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Valparaiso
Eichelberger Field, Time: 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Valparaiso on Wednesday, April 29 at 5pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Friday, May 1, 2026
Illini Outdoor Track & Field Illini | Gary Wieneke Memorial
Demirjian Park, Time: 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
The annual Gary Wieneke Memorial meet will be happening on May 1-2, 2026. As always, admission is free!
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Illini Outdoor Track & Field Illini | Gary Wieneke Memorial
Demirjian Park, Time: 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
The annual Gary Wieneke Memorial meet will be happening on May 1-2, 2026. As always, admission is free!
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Bradley | Cinco de Mayo
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 5 at 6pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Cinco de Mayo - Stay tuned for more information as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo with exclusive concessions deals! Turn Two Tuesday -…
Friday, May 8, 2026
Illini Outdoor Track & Field | Fighting Illini Tune-Up
Demirjian Park, Time: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
The Fighting Illini close out their outdoor season at home, and prepare for Big Ten Championships, with the Fighting Illini Tune Up! For more information, see the schedule online.
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Northwestern | Hail to the Orange Out & FamILLy Day Friday
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Northwestern on Friday, May 8 at 6pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Hail to the Orange Out - Wear Orange! FamILLy Day Friday - 4 hot dogs, 4 popcorns, and 4 bottled non-alcoholic beverages for…
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Northwestern | Senior Day & Trading Card Giveaway
Illinois Field, Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Northwestern on Saturday, May 9 at 3pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Senior Day - Join us as we celebrate the 2026 Illinois Baseball senior class in a pregame ceremony. Trading Card Giveaway - Early…
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Northwestern | Mother's Day, Kids Zone & Kids Run the Bases
Illinois Field, Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Northwestern on Sunday, May 10 at 1pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here. Mother's Day - Celebrate Mother's Day at the ballpark as we close out the 2026 homestand against B1G rival Northwestern! Kids Zone -…