Non-Conference Schedule | Ticket Information
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois has unveiled its completed 2025-26 non-conference schedule, highlighted by five games against high-major opponents who competed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and featuring a trio of reigning Elite Eight participants.
After hosting Illinois State in an exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 19, the Fighting Illini officially tip off the season at home on Nov. 3, facing Jackson State on opening night.
That begins a four-game homestand followed by Florida Gulf Coast on Friday, Nov. 7, a marquee contest at State Farm Center against returning Elite Eight squad Texas Tech on Nov. 11, and wrapping up with Colgate on Friday, Nov. 14, the night before Illinois Football's home game against Maryland.
On Nov. 19, Illinois heads to Chicago to play a regular season non-conference game at the United Center for the first time since 2017, taking on Elite Eight participant Alabama.
The Illini then return to Champaign for a pair of games, versus Long Island on Saturday, Nov. 22 and UT-Rio Grande Valley on Nov. 24.
Illinois will play at Madison Square Garden for the fourth consecutive season, going up against UConn on Black Friday, Nov. 28, in New York City. UConn won back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2023 and 2024, and advanced to the Round of 32 last season.
Following a home-and-home series with Tennessee, Illinois has signed an additional two-game agreement with the Vols. It begins with a contest this season in Nashville on Saturday, Dec. 6, where the Illini will face the reigning Elite Eight team.
The Illini are in St. Louis on Dec. 22, battling Missouri in the annual McBride Homes Braggin' Rights game. Illinois will look to retain the Braggin' Rights trophy for the third year in a row against the Tigers, who are coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Illinois closes out the calendar year at home against Southern on Dec. 29.
Illinois' Big Ten home schedule includes the following 10 teams:Â Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Rutgers, Washington and Wisconsin.
The Illini will make league road trips, meanwhile, to Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA and USC.
The full Big Ten schedule will be released at a later date.
Illinois returns three starters from a 22-win campaign, NCAA Tournament Second Round appearance, and final kenpom ranking of 17th last season. The Fighting Illini are the winningest team in Big Ten play over the last six years of the Underwood era and stand as one of just four teams nationally with six straight 20-win regular seasons.
