The Illinois Fighting Illini released their 2026 football schedule Tuesday. The team enters a rebuilding year after losing quarterback Luke Altmyer and several key players to the transfer portal and NFL draft.
Bret Bielema transformed Illinois from an afterthought into a relevant program since arriving in 2021. The Illini have produced NFL talent including Devon Witherspoon, who plays for Seattle and will compete in Super Bowl 60 next Sunday. Pat Bryant landed with Denver while Kerby Joseph joined Detroit.
Illinois won 19 games over the past two seasons. The 2024 campaign saw them finish 10-3 and spend much of the year ranked in the AP Poll.
But the Illini face major roster turnover heading into 2026. Altmyer’s departure leaves a massive void after three years as the starter. Former East Carolina quarterback Katin Houser transfers in to compete for the starting job.
The schedule presents immediate challenges. Illinois faces two College Football Playoff teams from this past season in Ohio State and Oregon. They’ll also battle Bielema’s alma mater Iowa and rivalry game Northwestern.
The Illini play seven home games and five on the road. Four Big Ten contests take place at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign.
Key Games to Watch
Illinois opens the season September 5 against UAB at home. The team gets two more tune-up games before traveling to Columbus to face Ohio State on September 26.
That road trip to face the Buckeyes represents the first real test. An unbeaten start would position Illinois well entering Big Ten play.
Oregon visits Champaign October 24 for Foundation Weekend. The Ducks reached the College Football Playoff this past season and present another major challenge.
The regular season concludes November 28 at Northwestern. Rivalry games against the Wildcats have historically determined Illinois’ bowl eligibility under Bielema.
Historical Trends
Bielema’s teams have followed an interesting pattern. Illinois won eight or more games in even-numbered years under his leadership. They finished 8-5 in 2022 and 10-3 in 2024.
The odd-numbered seasons haven’t been as kind. Illinois went 5-7 in both 2021 and 2023, missing bowl games both times.
Losses to Iowa in 2021 and Northwestern in 2023 derailed their bowl hopes. The team will look to avoid similar late-season collapses in 2026.
Illinois had an outside shot at a College Football Playoff berth this past season. Losses to Washington and Wisconsin ended those hopes despite a successful nine-win campaign.
The program aims to prove their recent success wasn’t a fluke. Competing with the Big Ten’s elite requires consistent performance across multiple seasons.
Illinois Fighting Illini 2026 Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sat., Sept. 5 | UAB | Gies Memorial Stadium |
| Sat., Sept. 12 | Duke (Hall of Fame Weekend/FamILLy Day) | Gies Memorial Stadium |
| Sat., Sept. 19 | Southern Illinois | Gies Memorial Stadium |
| Sat., Sept. 26 | at Ohio State | Columbus, Ohio |
| Sat., Oct. 3 | Purdue (Homecoming) | Gies Memorial Stadium |
| Sat., Oct. 10 | at Michigan State | East Lansing, Mich. |
| Sat., Oct. 17 | OFF | |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | Oregon (Foundation Weekend) | Gies Memorial Stadium |
| Sat., Oct. 31 | at Maryland | College Park, Md. |
| Sat., Nov. 7 | Nebraska (Dads Day/Military Appreciation) | Gies Memorial Stadium |
| Sat., Nov. 14 | at UCLA | Pasadena, Calif. |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Iowa (Senior Day) | Gies Memorial Stadium |
| Sat., Nov. 28 | at Northwestern | Evanston, Ill. |
Kickoff times and television assignments will be announced later. The conference finalized the schedule in coordination with member schools.
Illinois must adapt quickly with new faces across the roster. The early schedule provides opportunities to build momentum before facing the Big Ten’s toughest opponents.
