Nothing beats the feeling of rolling out of bed into an all-orange fit to go cheer on the Illini. But game days aren’t complete without the proper tailgate, so here’s everything you need to know about how to stack your Saturday in Champaign.
The vast majority of tailgaters crowd around Memorial Stadium, which has plenty of parking lots and designated areas for setting up tents, food and games. The Illinois Athletics parking map charts where fans can attend for pre-game partying. Lots 31 and 42 allow oversized vehicles and RVs, which attract some of the best tailgate setups that foster all-day parties. Lot 31 is also near the major party scene, located right across the street from Memorial Stadium.
At the heart of Illini football tailgating, Grange Grove is a large plot of open grass on the west side of Memorial Stadium. Gates swing open at 7 a.m. and the area fills up fast, with the most diehard Illini fans and hardcore tailgaters setting up even earlier in the surrounding lots. Plots of grass must be reserved ahead of time for Grange Grove, but gates are open for the public to walk around the different setups and enjoy live entertainment. Reservations for Grange Grove are free, and all of the other parking lots are open for individual tailgating.
To get the most out of the experience, it is ideal to show up a few hours before game time to explore the scene. Grange Grove offers a variety of attractions on different occasions, including live music, food trucks, pregame radio shows and an Illini merch store. Essential items for a complete setup include a tent for shade, lawn chairs, tables, food and plenty of drinks. Bringing a bags set, Spikeball or a football to toss around is also a great way to level up the tailgate.
Fireworks are set off in the stadium 60 minutes and 25 minutes prior to kickoff after the starting lineups are announced, calling tailgaters to begin packing up and heading inside. Around two hours before game time comes The Illini Walk of Brett Bielma leading the team and cheerleaders into the stadium right through the Grange Grove tailgates. The Marching Illini Drumline follows behind to hype up fans with a quick performance.
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As fans head into the stadium following hours of fun outside the stadium, some may be uncertain about what they can bring into the game. Illinois Athletics offers a gameday guide to answer all questions fans may have prior to entering Memorial Stadium.
For a different kind of pregame experience, the three main campus bars — KAMS, The Red Lion and Joe’s Brewery — open at noon on Saturdays for those 19 or older. All three charge a cover ranging from $5-20, and Joe’s is the only one of the three that serves food.
The tailgating scene at Illinois has been electric since the introduction of Grange Grove in 2015; it’s an essential experience for all college students. Now that you know how to make the most out of game days, go get the squad organized and out there early, pack Memorial Stadium and Go Illini!
