The Illinois Basketball Schedule 2026-27 is officially here, giving Fighting Illini fans a clear look at the upcoming season. From non-conference matchups in November to a tough Big Ten slate, the full Illinois Basketball Schedule 2026-27 is stacked with high-profile games.
This year’s Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule features home games at State Farm Center in Champaign along with key road tests against traditional Big Ten rivals and several notable non-conference opponents. Below is the complete Illinois Basketball Schedule 2026-27 with dates, times, and television information.
Illinois Basketball Schedule 2026-27
2026-27 Illinois Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | at Cincinnati (Exh.)Cincinnati, OH | 5:00pm ET | ||
| Friday | Baylor (Exh.)State Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 8:00pm ETB1G+ | ||
| Wednesday | UIC (Exh.)State Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 8:00pm ETB1G+ | ||
| Monday | FDUState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 8:00pm ETBTN | ||
| Thursday | PennState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 8:30pm ETFS1 | ||
| Tuesday | at Texas TechLubbock, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | Sam HoustonState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 7:00pm ETB1G+ | ||
| Tuesday | at DukeDurham, NC | 7:00pm ETESPN | ||
| Friday | Eastern IllinoisState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 9:00pm ETBTN | ||
| Monday | WinthropState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 8:00pm ETBTN | ||
| Friday | Western KentuckyState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 6:00pm ETFS1 | ||
| Friday | vs UConnUnited Center, Chicago, IL | 7:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Tuesday | at MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN | 7:00pm ETPeacock/NBCSN | ||
| Saturday | Penn StateState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 2:00pm ETFS1 | ||
| McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights | ||||
| Sunday | vs MissouriEnterprise Center, St. Louis, MO | 7:30pm ETESPN2 | ||
| Tuesday | SeattleState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 7:00pm ETB1G+ | ||
| Saturday | at WisconsinMadison, WI | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Tuesday | PurdueState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 9:00pm ETPeacock/NBCSN | ||
| Saturday | Ohio StateState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 4:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Wednesday | at NorthwesternEvanston, IL | 9:00pm ETBTN | ||
| Saturday | at MarylandCollege Park, MD | 2:00pm ETPeacock/NBCSN | ||
| Tuesday | NebraskaState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 9:00pm ETPeacock/NBCSN | ||
| Sunday | at IndianaBloomington, IN | 12:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Wednesday | USCState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 9:00pm ETBTN | ||
| Nashville Hoops Showdown | ||||
| Saturday | vs North CarolinaBridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN | 6:00/6:30pm ETESPN | ||
| Tuesday | UCLAState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 9:00pm ETPeacock/NBCSN | ||
| Friday | Michigan StateState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Tuesday | at MichiganAnn Arbor, MI | 7:00pm ETPeacock/NBCSN | ||
| Friday | at PurdueWest Lafayette, IN | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Tuesday | NorthwesternState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 9:00pm ETBTN | ||
| Saturday | at OregonEugene, OR | 5:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Tuesday | at WashingtonSeattle, WA | 10:00pm ETFS1 | ||
| Sunday | WisconsinState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 1:30pm ETCBS | ||
| Wednesday | at RutgersPiscataway, NJ | 6:30pm ETBTN | ||
| Saturday | IowaState Farm Center, Champaign, IL | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Tuesday | vs Big Ten TournamentGainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | Time TBA ET | ||
| Tuesday | vs NCAA TournamentTBA | Time TBA ET | ||
Illinois Basketball Schedule 2026-27 Overview
The Illinois Basketball Schedule 2026-27 opens with a home game against Fairleigh Dickinson on November 3. Early non-conference action includes visits from Pennsylvania, Sam Houston, Eastern Illinois, Winthrop, and Western Kentucky before the Illini hit the road for high-profile games at Texas Tech and Duke.
A standout early matchup comes on December 5 when Illinois hosts UConn. The Fighting Illini Basketball team also has a home game against Missouri later in December.
Big Ten Play on the Illini Basketball Schedule
Big Ten play begins in early January. The Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule features home-and-home series against several conference rivals, including Purdue, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. Key home games against Ohio State, Michigan State, UCLA, and USC highlight the State Farm Center slate.
Road tests at Indiana, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington will challenge the Illini on the road. The regular season wraps up with a home game against Iowa on March 7.
Key Games to Watch
- November 18 at Duke
- December 5 vs UConn
- January 10 vs Ohio State
- January 30 vs North Carolina
- February 6 vs Michigan State
- February 13 at Purdue
These matchups stand out on the Illinois Basketball Schedule 2026-27 and should draw strong national attention.
Where to Watch Illinois Basketball
Most games on the Illinois Basketball Schedule 2026-27 will air on Big Ten Network, Fox, FS1, CBS, and Peacock. Exact national windows may shift closer to game day.
More College Basketball Schedules
- Full Big Ten Basketball Schedule
FAQ
When does the Illinois Basketball Schedule 2026-27 start?
The season opens on November 3, 2026, against Fairleigh Dickinson at State Farm Center.
Where do the Illini play home games?
All home games are played at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.
Is the Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule complete?
Yes. The full regular-season Illinois Basketball Schedule 2026-27 is listed above. Conference tournament details will be added later.
How many Big Ten games are on the schedule?
Illinois will play a full Big Ten slate as part of the Illinois Basketball Schedule 2026-27.
