Illinois Athletics Names Gameday Spirit Official Online Team Store Partner
June 23, 2026 | General
Illinois Athletics is pleased to announce that effective July 1, 2026, Gameday Spirit has been selected as the official online Team Store partner for the Fighting Illini, expanding a longstanding relationship that has served Illinois fans for more than two decades.
Gameday Spirit, which has served as Illinois Athletics' in-venue merchandise partner since 2002, will now oversee the official online retail platform for Fighting Illini merchandise, providing fans with an enhanced shopping experience and expanded access to officially licensed Illinois apparel, gifts, collectibles, and student-athlete merchandise.
"Our growing relationship with Gameday Spirit has been built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the Fighting Illini fan experience," said Josh Whitman, Director of Athletics. "For more than 20 years, Gameday Spirit has been an outstanding partner, providing exceptional service and quality to Illini fans in our venues on game days and in its retail shops. We are excited to extend that partnership into the digital space, where our passionate fan base will find expanded offerings and new ways to show their support of Illinois Athletics."
As the official online team store partner, Gameday Spirit will offer a comprehensive selection of Fighting Illini products, including apparel, headwear, novelty items, exclusive merchandise, and officially licensed NIL merchandise that directly supports Illinois student-athletes across all sports. The enhanced online platform will make it easier than ever for fans to celebrate their favorite teams and student-athletes while contributing to the continued growth of Illinois Athletics.
In addition to expanding NIL merchandise offerings, Illinois Athletics and Gameday Spirit will collaborate on the development of exclusive product collections, limited-edition releases, and unique merchandise initiatives designed to showcase the Fighting Illini brand and create new opportunities for fan engagement. These collaborative efforts will provide fans with access to distinctive products that cannot be found anywhere else while further strengthening the connection between Illinois Athletics, its student-athletes, and its supporters.
The expanded partnership builds on Gameday Spirit's deep connection to Illinois Athletics and its proven track record of delivering quality products and customer service to Fighting Illini fans. Since 2002, Gameday Spirit has managed merchandise operations at Illinois Athletics venues, becoming an integral part of the gameday experience in Champaign-Urbana.
"Illinois Athletics has been a valued partner for more than two decades, and we are honored to expand our role as the official online team store partner," said Ryan Majeres, Gameday Spirit's CEO. "We're excited to provide fans with an enhanced online shopping experience, innovative merchandise collaborations, and meaningful opportunities to support Fighting Illini student-athletes through NIL products."
Fans can visit the official online team store at store.fightingillini.com to buy the latest Fighting Illini gear and stay connected with Illinois Athletics throughout the year.
About Illinois Athletics
Illinois Athletics sponsors 21 varsity sports and is committed to providing a world-class student-athlete experience while competing for championships in the Big Ten Conference and on the national stage. Through excellence in competition, academics, and community engagement, Illinois Athletics proudly represents the University of Illinois and Fighting Illini fans worldwide.
About Gameday Spirit
Based in Champaign, IL, Gameday Spirit Fanstore was initially established in 1998 as a retail store specializing in collegiate licensed merchandise at the University of Illinois. Gameday Spirit has since expanded its presence to multiple large university campuses – integrating traditional brick-and-mortar retail operations with advanced e-commerce and in-venue merchandise sales. For Gameday Spirit, it's more than apparel – it's about helping fans feel part of every game, every win and every milestone. From the stands to everyday life, fans can represent their team and carry that connection wherever they go.
