CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini men's tennis head coach Brad Dancer announced on Monday the team's full 2026 spring schedule, marking his 21st dual season leading the men's tennis team. Illinois previously released its 12-match home slate on Nov. 7.
Illinois' first action of the 2026 season will come on Jan. 11 with the Orange and Blue Alumni Match, which will feature current and former student-athletes competing in an intrasquad dual.
The Illini will then open the regular season at home against Mississippi State on Jan. 16 before traveling to New York City the following week for ITA Kickoff Weekend, where they'll face host Columbia on Jan. 23 and either Kentucky or Florida on Jan. 24.
The Orange and Blue return to Atkins Tennis Center with a home matchup against Duke on Jan. 30, followed by a matchup at Kentucky on Feb. 8. Should the Illini advance through ITA Kickoff Weekend, they will compete at the ITA National Indoor Championships from Feb. 13-17 in Texas. If the Orange and Blue do not advance, they will take on Notre Dame on the road on Feb. 14.
Illinois closes the month of February – and its nonconference schedule – at home with matches against North Carolina on Feb. 22, Baylor on Feb. 27, and TCU on Feb. 28.
The Illini begin Big Ten play with home contests against Oregon (March 6) and Washington (March 8) before hitting the road for its first conference road weekend. The squad's first Big Ten road trip is up next with matchups at Nebraska (March 13) and Wisconsin (March 15), followed by two more home duals against Michigan (March 20) and Michigan State (March 22).
The Illini will continue Big Ten action with a road swing at Ohio State (March 27) and Penn State (March 29) before hosting Indiana (April 3) and Purdue (April 5). Illinois will travel to Los Angeles for the first time in conference play to face UCLA (April 11) and USC (April 12).
The regular season concludes with a conference matchup with Northwestern on April 18, setting the stage for the Big Ten Tournament in Ojai, California, scheduled for April 23-26.
The full schedule with match times can be found HERE.
