A solid home opener. A narrow loss to Duke. And a dramatic overtime road win at Michigan State. The 2026 Illinois Football Schedule has already mixed promising results with tough tests and now turns toward a demanding late stretch that includes Oregon and Nebraska at home plus road trips to UCLA and Northwestern. Illinois Fighting Illini football opens in Champaign, hosts several high-profile Big Ten opponents, and closes the regular season on the road. Here is the complete 2026 Illinois Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Illinois Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | vs UAB BlazersGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | 9:00 PM ETBTN | Win 42-23 | |
| Saturday | vs Duke Blue DevilsGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | 3:30 PM ETFS1 | Loss 31-27 | |
| Saturday | vs Southern Illinois SalukisGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | 2:00 PM ETPeacock | Win 48-10 | |
| Saturday | at 7 Ohio State BuckeyesOhio Stadium, Columbus, OH | 12:00 PM ETFOX | Loss 42-19 | |
| Saturday | vs Purdue BoilermakersGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | 4:15 PM ETBTN | Loss 24-17 | |
| Saturday | at Michigan State SpartansSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | 3:30 PM ETFS1 | Win 38-37(OT) | |
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | vs Oregon DucksGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Maryland TerrapinsSECU Stadium, College Park, MD | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | vs Nebraska CornhuskersGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | 8:00 PM ETFOX | ||
| Friday | at UCLA BruinsRose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA | 9:00 PM ETFOX | ||
| Saturday | vs Iowa HawkeyesGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Northwestern WildcatsRyan Field, Evanston, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00 PM ETFOX |
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Early Home Results and First Road Test
Illinois Fighting Illini Football Schedule 2026 opened with mixed results at home before the first major road challenge.
- UAB at home (Sept 3)
- Duke at home (Sept 12)
- Southern Illinois at home (Sept 19)
- No. 7 Ohio State on the road (Sept 26)
Homecoming and an Overtime Road Win
October brought a Homecoming loss followed by a dramatic victory.
- Purdue at home for Homecoming (Oct 3)
- Michigan State on the road (Oct 10) — overtime win
- Bye week (Oct 17)
Oregon at Home and a Road Trip to Maryland
The schedule resumes with a high-profile home date before heading east.
- Oregon at home (Oct 24)
- Maryland on the road (Oct 31)
Nebraska at Home and a West Coast Road Game
November opens with another strong home opportunity and a long trip to California.
- Nebraska at home (Nov 6)
- UCLA on the road (Nov 13)
Final Home Date and Rivalry Closer
The regular season wraps with one more home game and a short road trip.
- Iowa at home (Nov 21)
- Northwestern on the road (Nov 28)
Illinois Football Home Games 2026
Illinois has seven home games at Gies Memorial Stadium in 2026:
- UAB
- Duke
- Southern Illinois
- Purdue (Homecoming)
- Oregon
- Nebraska
- Iowa
The dates against Oregon, Nebraska and Iowa stand out as the highest-profile opportunities at home.
The 2026 Illinois Football Schedule features a competitive early stretch, a key overtime win, and a demanding late slate of Big Ten tests. How the Fighting Illini handle the home dates against Oregon and Nebraska, the road trip to UCLA, and the closing rivalry game at Northwestern will shape the entire season.
FAQ
When does Illinois play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
Illinois Football Schedule 2026 opened at home against UAB on Thursday, September 3, at Gies Memorial Stadium.
When is Illinois vs Oregon 2026?
Illinois vs Oregon 2026 is set for Saturday, October 24, at home at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign.
How many home games does Illinois play in 2026?
Illinois has seven Illinois football home games in 2026 at Gies Memorial Stadium: UAB, Duke, Southern Illinois, Purdue, Oregon, Nebraska and Iowa.
What is Illinois’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The upcoming home games against Oregon and Nebraska, combined with the road trip to UCLA, rank as the toughest remaining stretch on the Illinois Big Ten schedule 2026.
