Team: Fighting Illini University: University of Illinois Division: NCAA Conference: Big Ten Home Games: Memorial Stadium Location: Champaign-Urbana, Ill. Rivals: Ohio State, Northwestern University, Purdue University and Missouri
The University of Illinois’ Fighting Illini football team first took to the field in 1890 with Scott Williams as the starting quarterback and coach. Over the years, as the game evolved, so did the Fighting Illini. Winning five national championships and 15 conference championships. They’ve appeared in 18 bowl games including the Rose Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, and the Holiday Bowl. Of those 18 bowl games, the Illini have won eight. Three of their four main rivals are all in the same Big Ten conference, and Illinois and Northwestern have squared-off over 100 times. Their rivalry with Purdue University is the oldest, beginning in 1890 with their first season. The Fighting Illini has yielded 238 NFL players including six Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. They have retired two jerseys including that of Red Grange (77) who played from 1923-1925 and Dick Butkis (50) who played from 1962-1964. Grab your Fighting Illini Football tickets at StubHub today.
Their home playing field is at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. The stadium was built in 1923 and was named for the university’s alumni who served and died in World War I. Their names are listed on each of the columns within the stadium. When the Fighting Illini score a touchdown, the bell from the USS Illinois, an unfinished battleship, is rung.
Bret Bielema was named as the 26th Fighting Illini Head Football Coach in the 132-year history of the program in December 2020. Bielema’s first season with Illinois included ranked road wins of #7 Penn State in the longest game in college football history (9 OT) and #20 Minnesota, the Illini’s first ever win over a College Football Playoff ranked opponent. Bielema has 25 years of collegiate coaching experience and has compiled a 13-year record of 102-65 (.611) as head coach at Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Illinois. From 2006-12 Bielema was the head coach at Wisconsin, where he led the Badgers to three Big Ten championships (2010-12), six consecutive bowl games and a 68-24 record (.739).
Ticket prices may vary depending on who their opponents are and where the seats are located but can run as high as $470 for Colonnades Club or Premium Seating. The majority of seating options around Memorial Stadium are unobstructed and offer a great view of the field.
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The Fighting Illini belong to the Big Ten Conference, which is the oldest Division I conference in the U.S. As one of the founding members, the University of Illinois, along with six other universities began the conference in order to help regulate college athletics in 1895. The Big Ten consisted of 10 universities for years, but today encompasses 14. All of the members are large research universities with strong reputations for high academic achievement.
These football games have a high-energy student section and lively band. Fans love hearing the USS Illinois battleship bell ring after their team scores a touchdown. Though the school’s official mascot, Chief Illiniwek, was retired in 2007, you might catch an unofficial Illiniwek making an appearance at games.
Many fans get ramped up on game day by heading to Grange Grove, just west of the stadium for tailgating. Since tailgating at the Grove is a must on game day, those who plan to go must claim their spot between 5 and 7 the night before the game. The Grove re-opens at 7 a.m. for those wanting to get an early start.