CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The Illinois football team’s 2025 Big Ten schedule has been released, and the Illini will open the season at home on August 30 against Western Illinois. FamILLy Weekend is set for September 13, when Illinois hosts Western Michigan. This popular tradition launched in 2024 with a sellout crowd against Kansas.
Homecoming festivities are scheduled for September 27, bringing USC to Memorial Stadium for the first time as a Big Ten opponent. Later in the season, Rutgers will visit Champaign on November 1 for Dads Day and Foundation Weekend. Key conference matchups include a home game against Ohio State on October 11, a road trip to Washington on October 25, and a season-ending rivalry clash with Northwestern on November 29 in Champaign.
Illinois will also face Purdue, Indiana, Maryland, and Wisconsin in Big Ten play, with two bye weeks on October 18 and November 8 to help the team recharge.
2025 Illinois Football Schedule
- Aug. 30: Western Illinois
- Sept. 6: at Duke
- Sept. 13: Western Michigan
- Sept. 20: at Indiana
- Sept. 27: USC (Homecoming)
- Oct. 4: at Purdue
- Oct. 11: Ohio State
- Oct. 18: OFF
- Oct. 25: at Washington
- Nov. 1: Rutgers
- Nov. 8: OFF
- Nov. 15: Maryland
- Nov. 22: at Wisconsin
- Nov. 29: Northwestern
All game dates are subject to change, and the Big Ten Conference, in collaboration with its television partners, will announce any Friday games at a later date.