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 Gies 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 Gies 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 Gies 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 Gies 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, free admission to all volleyball matches, free admission to all regular season women’s basketball games, the chance to claim a free ticket to one of three Illinois football games and the chance to claim a free ticket to one of three Illinois basketball games.
11. Bark at the Park happens at every softball game. Bring your family’s furry friends and keep them on a leash while you’re at Illini softball games.
Upcoming Illini Sporting Events
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Georgia | Youth Soccer Night
Demirjian Park, Time: 6:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Georgia on Thursday, August 13 at 6pm. Youth Soccer Night - All youth soccer teams in Central Illinois are encouraged to pack Demirjian Park for the home opener! More information will be released soon! Post-match Autographs Games are free…
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Illini Volleyball Fan Day and Exhibition
Huff Hall, Time: 3:00 pm
Illinois volleyball is set to host its annual Fan Day and Exhibition vs. Bradley at Huff Hall on Sunday, Aug. 16, at 3 p.m. CT. The preseason event is free and open to the public and offers fans a first look at the 2026 squad. Fan day will follow the…
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Cincinnati | Pride Night
Demirjian Park, Time: 6:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Cincinnati on Thursday, August 20 at 6pm. Pride Night - Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with Illinois Soccer! Featuring - Live DJ Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Illini Women's Soccer vs. UIC | FamILLy Night | 100 vs. Illini | Sunday Night Futbol
Demirjian Park, Time: 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on UIC on Sunday, August 23 at 5pm. FamILLy Night - Bring the whole famILLy out to Demirjian Park to experience inflatables, the kids zone, and more! 100 vs. Illini - Think you got what it takes to play against the Illini? Come…
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Saint Louis | Back to School Bash | Orange Out
Demirjian Park, Time: 6:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Saint Louis on Thursday, August 27 at 6pm. Back to School Bash - Celebrate heading back to school with the Illini! Hail to the Orange Out - Be sure to wear orange to Demirjian Park! A limited number of orange t-shirts will be available to early…
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk
Memorial Stadium, Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Cheer on the Orange and Blue as the Fighting Illini Football team prepares for game day! The Illini welcome UAB Illinois this week. Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Walk Illini vs UAB Thursday, September 3 *times are approximate and subject to change Kickoff is at 8:30 p.m. Entertainment and Amenities…
Friday, September 4, 2026
Illinois Men's and Women's Cross Country Fighting Illini Invitational
University of Illinois Orange and Blue Golf Courses, Time: All Day
The University of Illinois men's and women's cross country teams officially open their fall 2026 season by hosting the Fighting Illini Invitational on Friday, September 4, 2026. The meet will take place at the Orange and Blue Golf Course in Savoy, Illinois Time TBA
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Wisconsin | Party at the Park | Neon Out
Demirjian Park, Time: 6:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Wisconsin on Thursday, September 10 at 6pm. Party at the Park - Join the party at Demirjian Park for the Big Ten home opener. Neon Out - Wear your brightest colors under the lights. Featuring - Live DJ Games are free to attend. Check…
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk
Memorial Stadium, Time: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini football team with family-friendly programming at Grange Grove, including live music, Kids Zone, and the Illini Walk.
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Michigan | Kick the Stigma | FamILLy Sunday
Demirjian Park, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Michigan on Sunday, September 13 at 1pm. Kick the Stigma - Help Illinois Soccer support mental health awareness and kick the stigma. FamILLy Sunday - Enjoy concessions deals, a kids zone, and pregame soccer clinics with Soccer Planet. Games are…
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk
Memorial Stadium, Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Orange and Blue as the Fighting Illini Football team prepares for game day! The Illini welcome Southern Illinois this week. Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Walk Illini vs Southern Illinois Saturday, September 19 Kickoff is 1pm Entertainment and Amenities Kid’s Club Kid’s Zone When bags and hot…
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Oregon | FamILLy Sunday | Senior Day
Demirjian Park, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Oregon on Sunday, September 27 at 1pm. Senior Day - Help celebrate Illinois Soccer's Senior class! Women's Empowerment Match - Celebrate our female athletes and coaches during Senior Day! FamILLy Sunday - Enjoy concessions deals, a kids zone, and pregame soccer…
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk - Homecoming Weekend
Memorial Stadium, Time: 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Celebrate and Cheer on the Fighting Illini Football team at family-friendly Grange Grove and the Fighting Illini Walk.
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Michigan State | FamILLy Sunday | Alumni Day | Pack Demirjian
Demirjian Park, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Oregon on Sunday, September 27 at 1pm. Pack Demirjian - Pack Demirjian Park for this Big Ten matchup! Alumni Day - Honor Illinois Soccer Alumni as we celebrate the program's 30th season! FamILLy Sunday - Enjoy concessions deals, a kids zone,…
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Northwestern | Kick Cancer
Demirjian Park, Time: 6:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Northwestern on Thursday, October 22 at 6pm. Kick Cancer - Help Illinois Soccer kick cancer as they help support cancer awareness. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk
Memorial Stadium, Time: 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Cheer on the Fighting Illini football team with family-friendly programming at Grange Grove, including live music, Kids Zone, and the Illini Walk.
Friday, October 30, 2026
Illini Women's Soccer vs. Minnesota | Halloween Match
Demirjian Park, Time: 6:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Soccer team as they take on Minnesota on Friday, October 30 at 6pm. Halloween Match - Wear your best costume to Demirjian Park as Illinois Soccer celebrates Halloween! Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Friday, November 6, 2026
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk
Memorial Stadium, Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Cheer on the Orange and Blue as the Fighting Illini Football team prepares for game day! The Illini welcome Nebraska this week. Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Walk Illini vs Nebraska Saturday, November 6 Kickoff 7pm Entertainment and Amenities Kid’s Club Kid’s Zone When bags and hot dogs can’t keep…
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Football Walk
Memorial Stadium, Time: 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Cheer on the Orange and Blue as the Fighting Illini Football team prepares for game day! The Illini welcome Iowa this week. Grange Grove and Fighting Illini Walk Illini vs Iowa Saturday, November 21 Entertainment and Amenities Kid’s Club Kid’s Zone When bags and hot dogs can’t keep your little…
