The Illinois Fighting Illini already know most of their future opponents, thanks to the Big Ten releasing conference matchups years in advance. Think of this as your Illinois future football schedule tracker: confirmed opponents by season, home and away breakdowns, and a free printable for 2027. It updates as dates, kickoff times, and non-conference games are announced.
Illinois Future Schedule: Quick Facts
- Illinois plays nine Big Ten games per season, with three non-conference games.
- Protected annual rivals: Northwestern and Purdue.
- Illinois keeps its protected rivalries with Northwestern and Purdue, and hosts Penn State and Wisconsin in 2027.
- Most 2027 dates and kickoff times are still TBA.
Illinois Fighting Illini Future Opponents and Schedules
Below is Illinois’s season-by-season outlook. The 2026 slate is set and has its own full schedule page; 2027 and 2028 show the Big Ten opponents confirmed so far, with non-conference games and exact dates filling in over time.
2026 Illinois Opponents & Schedule
Illinois’s 2026 schedule is complete. For the full week-by-week slate, dates, and a printable, see our 2026 Illinois Fighting Illini football schedule.
2027 Illinois Opponents & Schedule
Illinois hosts Indiana, Northwestern, Penn State, UCLA and Wisconsin in Big Ten play, and travels to Michigan, Minnesota, Purdue and USC. Illinois’s three non-conference games for 2027 have not been announced yet and will be added here as they are scheduled.
| Opponent | Site | Date |
|---|---|---|
 vs Indiana |
Home | TBD |
 vs Northwestern |
Home | TBD |
 vs Penn State |
Home | TBD |
 vs UCLA |
Home | TBD |
 vs Wisconsin |
Home | TBD |
 at Michigan |
Away | TBD |
 at Minnesota |
Away | TBD |
 at Purdue |
Away | TBD |
 at USC |
Away | TBD |
Download the Printable 2027 Illinois Schedule
Opens in a new tab. Last updated Sept. 3, 2026.
2028 Illinois Opponents & Schedule
Illinois’s 2028 Big Ten opponents are set. The Fighting Illini host Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Washington, and travel to Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern, Oregon and Rutgers. Non-conference games and exact dates are still to be announced.
Beyond 2028
The Big Ten has confirmed conference opponents through the 2028 season. As the league releases Illinois’s 2029 matchups and beyond, they will be added to this page.
How Illinois’s Future Football Schedule Comes Together
Each season Illinois plays a nine-game Big Ten slate the conference assigns, plus three non-conference games the school books on its own, often years ahead. Under the Big Ten’s scheduling model, Illinois’s protected annual rivals (Northwestern and Purdue) recur every year while the rest of the schedule rotates, which means the Fighting Illini see the whole league on a regular cycle.
As the Big Ten finalizes dates and Illinois fills its remaining non-conference slots, this Illinois future football schedule page updates so you always have the current opponent list and printable in one place.
Illinois Future Football Schedule FAQ
Who does Illinois play every year?
Illinois’s protected annual rivals are Northwestern and Purdue. The rest of the nine-game conference slate rotates year to year.
Who does Illinois play in 2027?
In Big Ten play, Illinois hosts Indiana, Northwestern, Penn State, UCLA and Wisconsin and visits Michigan, Minnesota, Purdue and USC. Illinois’s three non-conference games for 2027 have not been announced yet and will be added here as they are scheduled.
Is there a printable Illinois 2027 schedule?
Yes. This page includes a free printable 2027 Illinois schedule with the confirmed opponents and home/away breakdown. Dates and kickoff times are added as they are announced.
Where can I find Illinois’s current schedule?
See the 2026 Illinois Fighting Illini football schedule for the current season.
Past Illinois Schedules
Looking for past Illinois results and printables? Browse the 2026 Illinois schedule and 2025 Illinois football schedule. For every other team’s future opponents by year, visit our Future College Football Schedules hub.
