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
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Indiana State
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Indiana State on Tuesday, April 30 at 6pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Friday, May 3, 2024
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Iowa
Eichelberger Field, Time: 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Iowa on Friday, May 3 at 5pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Ohio State
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Ohio State on Friday, May 3 at 6pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Saturday, May 4, 2024
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! In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, they will have a resource fair for fans to explore, as well as a green ribbon giveaway in support. Fans will…read more…
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Iowa
Eichelberger Field, Time: 1:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Iowa on Saturday, May 4 at 1pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Ohio State
Illinois Field, Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Ohio State on Saturday, May 4 at 3pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Fighting Illini Softball vs. Iowa
Eichelberger Field, Time: 12:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Women's Softball team as they play Iowa on Sunday, May 5 at 12pm. Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Ohio State
Illinois Field, Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Ohio State on Sunday, May 5 at 1pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Friday, May 10, 2024
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Iowa
Illinois Field, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Iowa on Friday, May 10 at 6pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Iowa
Illinois Field, Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Iowa on Saturday, May 11 at 3pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Fighting Illini Baseball vs. Iowa
Illinois Field, Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cheer on the Fighting Illini Men’s Baseball team as they take on Iowa on Sunday, May 12 at 1pm Games are free to attend. Check out the full schedule here.