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, February 14, 2026
Illinois Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Day 2
Activities and Recreation Center (ARC), Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
The University of Illinois Wheelchair Basketball will play host to 4 Men’s teams and 3 Women’s teams at the ARC February 13-14, 2026. Across the two days, there will be 15 games played in Gym 1 at the ARC (201 E Peabody). We invite you to come and cheer us…
Illini Hockey vs. Illinois State University
University of Illinois Ice Arena, Time: 7:00 pm
Cheer on the Illini Hockey team as they take on Illinois State University. Friday, February 14 at 7pm. Click here to purchase tickets in advance. Student $7 Child 12 & Under $5 Adult $12
Friday, February 20, 2026
Illini Outdoor Track & Field | Last Chance Meet
Demirjian Park, Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Head out to cheer on the Illini Track & Field team. Admission is free as always! Tentative schedule posted here.
Fighting Illini Women's Tennis vs. Wisconsin
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 5:00 pm
The Fighting Illini Women's Tennis team takes on Wisconsin at Atkins Tennis Center on Friday, February 20th at 5pm. 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…
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Fighting Illini Women's Gymnastics vs. UCLA
State Farm Center, Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The Illini welcome UCLA to this meet on Sunday, February 22 at 4pm. Illini Women's Gymnastics meets are free to attend.
Friday, February 27, 2026
Illini Hockey vs. University of Cincinatti
University of Illinois Ice Arena, Time: 7:00 pm
Cheer on the Illini Hockey team as they take on the University of Cincinatti. Friday, February 27 at 7pm. Click here to purchase tickets in advance. Student $7 Child 12 & Under $5 Adult $12
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Fighting Illini Men's Gymnastics vs. Navy & Greenville
Huff Hall, Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Illini welcome Army & Greenville to this meet on Saturday, February 28 at 12pm. Illini Men's Gymnastics meets are free to attend.
Illini Hockey vs. University of Cincinatti
University of Illinois Ice Arena, Time: 7:00 pm
Cheer on the Illini Hockey team as they take on the University of Cincinatti. Saturday, February 28 at 7pm. Click here to purchase tickets in advance. Student $10 Child 12 & Under $5 Adult $15
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Fighting Illini Men's Gymnastics vs. Ohio State
Huff Hall, Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Illini welcome Ohio State to this meet on Saturday, March 7 at 12pm. Illini Men's Gymnastics meets are free to attend.
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Fighting Illini Women's Gymnastics vs. Alabama
Huff Hall, Time: All Day
The Illini welcome Alabama to this meet on Sunday, March 8. Time is TBD Illini Women's Gymnastics meets are free to attend.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Fighting Illini Women's Tennis vs. Northwestern
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 1:00 pm
The Fighting Illini Women's Tennis team takes on Northwestern at Atkins Tennis Center on Saturday, March 14th at 1pm. 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…
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Fighting Illini Women's Tennis vs. Purdue
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 12:00 pm
The Fighting Illini Women's Tennis team takes on Purdue at Atkins Tennis Center on Saturday, March 21st 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 area…
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Fighting Illini Women's Tennis vs. Indiana
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 12:00 pm
The Fighting Illini Women's Tennis team takes on Indiana at Atkins Tennis Center on Sunday, March 22nd 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 area…
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Fighting Illini Women's Tennis vs. Michigan
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 11:00 am
The Fighting Illini Women's Tennis team takes on Michigan at Atkins Tennis Center on Saturday, April 4th at 11am. 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…
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Fighting Illini Women's Tennis vs. Michigan State
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 11:00 am
The Fighting Illini Women's Tennis team takes on Michigan State at Atkins Tennis Center on Sunday, April 5th at 11am. 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…
Friday, April 10, 2026
Fighting Illini Women's Tennis vs. UCLA
Atkins Tennis Center, Time: 4:00 pm
The Fighting Illini Women's Tennis team takes on UCLA at Atkins Tennis Center on Friday, April 10th 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…
Sunday, April 12, 2026
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…