Clear Bag Policy
Fans attending events at State Farm Center will be permitted to carry one clear plastic or vinyl bag that does not exceed 12”x6”x12”, or one clear drawstring bag not to exceed 12”x12”, or one, one-gallon clear plastic or zip-lock bag. A small clutch no larger than 4.5” x 7” may also be carried in addition to one clear bag. Diaper bags (with child) and bags approved for medical needs will be permitted after search by security personnel. All other bags, backpacks, totes and coolers are strictly prohibited. Learn more at State Farm Center's Arena Policies page.
Directions
Google Map Directions | Traffic Routes to State Farm Center
FROM CHICAGO and points north: Head south on I-57 toward Champaign. Exit on I-72 (University Avenue) east. Turn right (south) on Mattis Avenue. Turn left (east) on Kirby Avenue. Center of athletic campus is at the corner of Kirby and Fourth Street.
FROM ST. LOUIS and points south: Head east (from St. Louis) on I-70 to I-57, turning north at Effingham. Take the Monticello exit just south of Champaign and turn right (east). At the “T,” turn left (north) on U.S. Route 45. Upon arrival in Champaign (on South Neil Street), turn right (east) on Kirby Avenue. Center of athletic campus is at the corner of Kirby and Fourth Street.
FROM PEORIA and points northwest: Head southeast on I-74 to I-57 south. Exit on I-72 (University Avenue) east. Turn right (south) on Mattis Avenue. Turn left (east) on Kirby Avenue. Center of athletic campus is at the corner of Kirby and Fourth Street.
FROM SPRINGFIELD and points southwest: Head northeast on I-72 until it ends in Champaign, turning into University Avenue. Turn right (south) on Mattis Avenue. Turn left (east) on Kirby Avenue. Center of athletic campus is at the corner of Kirby and Fourth Street.
FROM INDIANAPOLIS and points east: Head west on I-74 to Urbana, and exit south (left) on Lincoln Avenue. Turn right (west) on Florida Avenue, which becomes Kirby Avenue in Champaign. Center of athletic campus is at the corner of Kirby and Fourth Street.
Accessible Services
Accessible Seating
Accessible Seating is available in all levels of State Farm Center. Please contact the Illinois Ticket Office at 217-333-3470 or 866-ILLINI-1 for information on availability.
Assisted Listening Devices
Assisted Listening Devices are available upon request from guest services located near the West Grand Entrance.
Elevators
Accessible elevators are located in the Lobby of the West Grand Entrance and the East Premium Seating Entrance lobby.
Parking
Parking for those with disabilities is available in each of the four parking lots surrounding State Farm Center. The spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The parking fee for men’s basketball games is $20 and is free for women’s games.
Emergencies
Public Address Announcements
Public Address Announcements are not made under most instances; however, please see the nearest usher if you need to contact someone in the event of an extraordinary circumstance or emergency.
Facility Information
Concessions
Concessions at State Farm Center are cashless. If you plan to purchase food or drinks at a State Farm Center event, please make sure to bring a credit or debit card or an NFC-enabled device to pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay.
There are a variety of concession stands located throughout State Farm Center featuring the Block “I” Cheesesteak, Oskee Mac & BBQ, Papa John’s Pizza and other fan favorites.
Alcoholic beverages can be purchased arena-wide in State Farm Center. All fans will be asked to provide a valid ID to purchase alcohol. Mobile, vertical or foreign ID’s are NOT accepted.
Illini Hour (1/2 Hour for women’s basketball) is now offered at State Farm Center. Fans will enjoy $3 hot dogs, bottled soda/water or popcorn, $5 12oz canned cocktails and $7 24oz domestic beers. Illini Hour will be offered from when doors open until 30 minutes prior to tipoff. During Illini Hour the season ticket holder and I FUND concessions discount will not be applied to Illini Hour items.
Doors Open
Doors to State Farm Center will open 90 minutes prior to tipoff for all guests. That includes Premium Seating Guests with Traditions Club, Club 53, Loge Box, and Suite tickets, who may enter from the East Premium Seating Entrance.
Entrances
Men's Basketball: There are nine entrances open for men's basketball games at State Farm Center.
- Lower Entrances
- Main West: General Public (Box Office/Will Call), ICON
- Main East: Premium Seating (Traditions Club, Club 53, Loge Box and Suites)
- Lower NE: Media and Staff
- Upper Entrances
- North: Students
- NW: General Public
- NE: General Public
- SW: General Public
- SE General Public
- South: General Public
Fan Text Message System
Should fans need assistance while inside State Farm Center, they will be able to contact event management staff by sending a text message to 69050, keyword ILLINI from their phone. Be sure to include the problem and the location of the incident, including the section number, row, and seat number (if applicable) in the message. Please note that standard message and data rates may apply.
First Aid
First Aid is located on the lower concourse near the West Grand Entrance. Trained medical personnel are on staff and are available to those needing assistance.
Guest Services
Guest Services is located near the West Grand Entrance. Staff is available to respond to all types of guest inquiries and/or suggestions.
Lost & Found Items
Lost & Found Items are to be taken to Guest Services located near the West Grand Entrance. After an event, guests may contact 217-333-2923 to inquire about lost items. Items may be donated to charity or disposed of at the discretion of management after 30 days. State Farm Center management assumes no responsibility for items lost at events.
Mannie L. Jackson Basketball Hall of Fame
The Mannie L. Jackson Basketball Hall of Fame is located directly inside the West Grand Entrance Lobby and opens 90 minutes prior to tipoff.
Merchandise
Fighting Illini merchandise is available for sale throughout the concourses of State Farm Center.
Nursing Mothers
Nursing mothers have access to the 200 level first aid room. Please visit the Guest Services booth located near the West Grand Entrance for assistance with accessing the space. Breast pumps are also permitted in State Farm Center.
Programs
Hard copies of programs are no longer available in State Farm Center. Fans can view digital game programs for every home game for free at FightingIllini.com.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located throughout the lower and upper concourses. Baby changing stations are included in most of the locations.
Sensory Trigger Warning
The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics acknowledges that some individuals may have sensory sensitivities and would like to caution fans about the potential for uncomfortable noise and visual stimulants during events. The stimulants may include air horns, loud music, flashing lights, and/or fireworks. If you are experiencing sensory overload, we ask that you please seek an usher or event staff supervisor to assist you in finding a safe and quiet environment. Individuals may also go to the Guest Services window located outside portal 141 to get assistance.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited on all campus property at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, both indoors and outdoors, in university owned vehicles and in privately-owned vehicles parked on campus property. This includes State Farm Center and the parking lots surrounding it.
Parking
Men's Basketball Parking Map | Women's Basketball Parking Map
Bus Parking
Bus Parking is available south of State Farm Center off of St. Mary’s road between the SE and SW parking lots and in E-14 for $30 (free of charge during women’s games).
Fees
Fees for men’s basketball games are $20. Parking on gamedays is limited. E-14 has a limited number of single-game purchase spots and is sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Lots open two hours prior to tipoff.
Priority Season Parking
Priority Season Parking is available for I FUND members who are season ticket holders. Please call the I FUND office at 217-333-6595 for more information.
Pregame Traffic
- For men’s games only, First St. will be closed between Kirby Ave. and St. Mary’s Rd. starting 1 hour prior to tip off.
- Fans parking in Lot E-14 should enter the lot from Oak St. Fans parking in the NW Lot should enter from Kirby Ave.
- Fans parking in the SW lot should enter from St. Mary's Rd.
Postgame Traffic
The following roads will be closed at halftime to allow for postgame traffic preparations. They will remain closed until postgame traffic has cleared:
- Fourth St. between Kirby Ave. and St. Mary's Rd. Vehicles wishing to pick up in the East Circle Drive should approach from St. Mary's Rd.
- St. Mary's Rd. between First St. and Fourth St.
First St. will be closed between Kirby Ave. and St. Mary's Rd. at the end of the game. Only circle drive pickups will be permitted in the closed area.
Oak St. between St. Mary's Rd. and Kirby Ave. will be limited to vehicles exiting Lot E-14. No through traffic will be permitted.
Experiences
Please visit fightingillini.com/experiences to reserve your gameday experience at an upcoming Fighting Illini event. All experiences must be purchased at least 72 hours prior to gameday.
Men’s Basketball experience offerings include
- Video Board Shoutout
- Pregame Benchwarmer
- Guest DJ
- Starting Lineups
- Postgame Shootaround
Book your experience and learn more.
Prohibited Items
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic Beverages are strictly prohibited from being carried into State Farm Center.
Banners and Signs
Banners and Signs are not permitted into State Farm Center during men’s basketball games.
Cameras
Cameras are restricted in State Farm Center for Illinois basketball games. Large lens cameras with a stand or tripod are not permitted. Video cameras are not permitted. Personal snapshot pocket cameras are allowed in the arena, however, in no instance may photography interfere with access ways, seat aisles, or other guests’ enjoyment of the game. Also, no flash photography is allowed.
Clear Bag Policy
Fans will be able to carry the following styles and bag sizes into State Farm Center: Bags that are CLEAR plastic or vinyl and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”; CLEAR drawstring bag 12” x 12”; One-gallon CLEAR plastic storage bag; Small clutch no larger than 4.5” x 7”. Exceptions will be made for diaper bags (with child) and approved medical needs after proper inspection. All backpacks regardless of size are prohibited and any bags larger than 12” x 6” x 12”, clear or non-clear, will be strictly prohibited. Fans are encouraged to bring only necessary items into State Farm Center and all bags are subject to search and inspection. Learn more at State Farm Center's Arena Policies page.
Concealed-Carry
With the passage of the concealed weapons law in the state of Illinois, fans are reminded that concealed weapons are not allowed on the U of I campus and are prohibited at all collegiate sporting events.
Full Face Coverings
For the safety of our patrons, full-face coverings cannot be worn by patrons in the venue. Religious garments, including full-face coverings, and KN95 or similar medical masks, are permitted.
Water Bottles
State Farm Center allows clear, empty water bottles up to 32 ounces. For the 2025-2026 season, the only exception to this policy are Illinois Tumblers purchased at concessions. View all State Farm Center policies here.
Other Items prohibited from State Farm Center
Other Items prohibited from State Farm Center include fireworks, laser pointers, noisemakers (whistles or horns), strollers, tri-pod, video cameras, and weapons of any kind (including pocket knives).
Ticket Information
Ticket Office
The Illinois Ticket Office is cashless. Tickets may be purchased in person with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express only. Tickets can also be purchased online at fightingillini.com or by calling 866-ILLINI-1.
The Illinois Ticket Office is open weekdays from 12-5 p.m. and is located in the West Grand Entrance Lobby of State Farm Center. The ticket office opens two hours prior to tipoff for men’s and women’s basketball games.
Infants and Toddlers
Infants and toddlers, age two and under, are allowed to enter State Farm Center for free as long as they are sitting in laps of a ticketed patron. This policy applies to events held on the University of Illinois campus only and excludes any postseason events.
Priority Seating
Priority Seating is based on availability and offered to all I FUND members. For more information, please call 217-333-6595.
Re-Entry
Re-Entry into State Farm Center during a game is not allowed with a torn or scanned ticket. A full ticket is required for entrance.
Ticket Replacement
Ticket Replacement is available for tickets purchased in advance of game day that are lost, stolen, or destroyed. Tickets purchased in person at the Illinois Ticket Office or through a second party may not be replaced. Replacement tickets will have precedence over the original tickets. Replacement tickets can be obtained by calling the Illinois Ticket Office at 217-333-3470 or 866-ILLINI-1.
Will Call
General Public Tickets
General Public and Premium Seating Tickets are to be picked up at the Illinois Ticket Office located in the West Grand Entrance Lobby of State Farm Center. Will Call opens two hours prior to tipoff for men’s and women’s basketball games.
Media Will Call
Media Will Call is located at the lower northeast gate of the State Farm Center and opens two hours prior to tipoff. A valid photo ID will be required when picking up media credentials.
Recruits and High School Coaches
Recruits and High School Coaches Tickets are located at the windows inside the Lobby of the West Grand Entrance. All recipients will be required to show a valid ID.
University of Illinois Player Guest Tickets
University of Illinois Player Guest Tickets are digital. Player guest tickets for Men's & Women's Basketball will be delivered on the day of the game. Guests can visit the ticket office in the main west lobby of State Farm Center upon arrival if they cannot access their tickets.
Visiting Player Guest Tickets
Visiting Player Guest Tickets may be physical or digital, pending the decision by made each respective visiting team. If the visiting school selects physical tickets, they will be picked up at the ticket office inside the main west lobby of State Farm Center beginning 90 minutes prior to tip-off. All recipients will be required to show a valid ID. If tickets are digital, they will be delivered at the discretion of the visiting school.
