Illini Football 2026
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Dan
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First Three Illini Football Game Times, TV Designations Announced - University of Illinois Athletics
Season opener vs. UAB moved to Thursday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. CT.
What a brilliant idea to move the opener to Thursday so we can have less fans in the standsFirst Three Illini Football Game Times, TV Designations Announced - University of Illinois Athletics
Season opener vs. UAB moved to Thursday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. CT.fightingillini.com
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- Batavia
Not a perfect set of predictions on my part earlier, but I did nail some key predictions for these first three games:
Week 1: Thursday Night correct; wrong network
Week 2: FS1 correct; wrong kickoff time
Week 3: Peacock correct; wrong kickoff time
www.illinoisloyalty.com
Week 1: Thursday Night correct; wrong network
Week 2: FS1 correct; wrong kickoff time
Week 3: Peacock correct; wrong kickoff time
Illini Football 2026
I believe UCLA is moving to Sofi Stadium next year That hasn't been decided yet.
www.illinoisloyalty.com
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- Batavia
I am sure that we have very little say in such a decision. We are at the mercy of the networks. Still, I look at it as glass half full where the country itching for football to begin will be tuning in to watch Illini football. 8 PM local kickoff though is tuff...
1 pm kickoff is interesting and a break from the usual 11/2:30 slots.Not a perfect set of predictions on my part earlier, but I did nail some key predictions for these first three games:
Week 1: Thursday Night correct; wrong network
Week 2: FS1 correct; wrong kickoff time
Week 3: Peacock correct; wrong kickoff time
Illini Football 2026
I believe UCLA is moving to Sofi Stadium next year That hasn't been decided yet.
Look, I get that everything is based on networks and the almighty $$$$, but this is a major dick move for those of us traveling from distance who have flights and hotels arranged. I had contingencies for if it moved to Friday, but not to Thursday. I'm sure they're making way more off playing on Thursday than they make off the few tickets they sell to folks like me, but it really irks me, and this isn't the first time it's happened.
Makes a VERY late night, even with a 90 minute drive home. Pity folks who face work on Friday.
They’re apparently booking it then to accommodate TV coverage, so expect fans to stay home and tune in from there. Apparently that’s the desired outcome.
Pay back for Duke trying to punk Illinois last year with the schedule. Duke opens with Tulane on 9/5, FWIW.
2 years ago they played EIU on Thursday, followed by the memorable X game vs. Kansas on a Saturday.
Friday vacation days are excellent. Start your weekend Thursday night in Champaign, a flashback to college days.
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Ryllini
- Lombard
It's just nice to be in a place where we don't have nine 11am rooster kicks anymore.
Certainly better than 11, but I was really hoping for at least 2:30. Talking to several SIU fans coming up and wanted more tailgate time. I'll have to leave home at 5 am to get 4 hours of tailgate time in.
Leave it to Peacock.
I just wish that the schedule was set before season ticket renewals are due. Out-of-state season ticket holders might opt out if they knew that two of the games were going to be held on a weeknight.
That was the normal kickoff time when I was a student in the late 70s/early 80s.
I really think they’re trying to spread the noon kicks out more because they know the TV contract negotiations aren’t too far out. Whatever the reason though I’ll take it. Fox is going to keep priority picks but hopefully the can negotiate in a way that allows more tv flexibility for the 3 networks in terms of kickoff times
Anybody else tired of baseball and chomping at the bit for long Saturday's full of cold beer and endless football?
I get it from a tv viewership standpoint, but to take the next step... We need to improve the stadium atmosphere. Switching Saturday to Thursday night for cheap views on opening kickoff's counterintuitive imo
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