SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) — Tickets for arena events at the 2026 Illinois State Fair will go on sale Tuesday, April 21, with a lineup featuring rodeo competitions, truck and tractor pulls, monster trucks and the annual demolition derby.
Fair officials announced the schedule Friday, highlighting a mix of returning favorites and high-energy attractions planned for the August event.
The arena lineup begins Aug. 13 and 14 with rodeo performances presented by Wooten Rodeo Company, both starting at 7:30 p.m. The shows will feature traditional rodeo events and performances, with tickets priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 12.
Truck and tractor pulls will take place over three nights, Aug. 17 through 19, showcasing a variety of classes ranging from mini rods to super stock diesel trucks. Each session is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with tickets also set at $10 for adults and $5 for children.
One of the fair’s most popular events, Monsters of Destruction, returns Aug. 21. The event includes a pre-show pit party at 5:30 p.m., offering fans meet-and-greet opportunities and close-up access to vehicles. The main event begins at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children, with higher prices at the gate.
The arena schedule concludes Aug. 22 with the demolition derby, a long-standing fair tradition that begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
Organizers say the arena events are designed to appeal to a wide audience and remain a central part of the fair experience each year.
The 2026 Illinois State Fair runs Aug. 13 through Aug. 23 in Springfield. Tickets for all arena events will be available through Ticketmaster.