CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — The game time and broadcast designations for the Illinois football team's first three games of the 2026 schedule have been set.
The Fighting Illini's season opener against UAB will be on Thursday, September 3 at Gies Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
In week two, the Illini will host Duke on Saturday, September 12 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on FS1.
The following week, Illinois welcomes Southern Illinois on Saturday, September 19 at 1 p.m. CT. The game will air on Peacock.
Illinois' games against Nebraska and UCLA were previously announced as Friday night primetime games.
The team also already announced its homecoming game against Purdue, which will be on Saturday, October 3, and the team's road game at Michigan State is on Saturday, October 10. Both games are scheduled to kick off no later than 4 p.m. CT, with final kick off times to be set no later than 12 days before each game.
Game times for any remaining match-ups will be picked during the in-season 12- and 6-day selection process.
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