The 2025 I FUND Membership year is now underway!

Renew, upgrade, or establish your I FUND membership today.

Make a gift

The I FUND membership deadline for football is March 1, 2025. The I FUND membership deadline for men’s basketball is May 2, 2025.

Reseating Timeline

Seat selection times for each respective reseating process will be determined by 2025 I FUND membership level and Priority Point ranking within each level.

Membership Levels

EVOLVE

Create a modernized ticketing process to enhance the fan experience and ensure sustained success for Fighting Illini student-athletes.

LEARN MORE

REFINE

Integrate the new and improved process guided by strategic priorities and fan feedback.

LEARN MORE

ADVANCE

Implement Illini ERA for the 2025-26 seasons of Illinois Football and Men’s Basketball – generating a greater impact on fans and student-athletes.

LEARN MORE
WHAT’S CHANGING?

Season Ticket Process

  • → Illinois Athletics is implementing a Priority Seating model for the 2025 seasons of football and men’s basketball.
  • → The new season ticket process will streamline the donor and season ticket holder experience with a simplified and transparent structure.
  • → Similar to the current seating model, approximately 23% of seats at Memorial Stadium and 63% of seats at State Farm Center will require an I FUND Priority Seating contribution for the 2025-26 seasons.
  • → This will include a reseat at Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center, in the spring and summer of 2025. Premium Seating locations will not be impacted by the reseat.

I FUND Membership Program

  • → In 2025, I FUND Memberships will be comprised of three areas: Football Priority Seating contributions, Men’s Basketball Priority Seating contributions, and Illini Excellence gifts.
  • → Football and Men’s Basketball Priority Seating contributions are the minimum amount required to purchase a seat in addition to the ticket price.
  • → Illini Excellence gifts are contributions above and beyond the required minimum related to seats, and add to your total I FUND membership level amount while being tax deductible.
  • → Many fans will reach their current I FUND membership level through Priority Seating contributions in 2025.
  • → For the first time in over 20 years, there will be comprehensive updates to I FUND membership levels for the 2025 membership year.
The Next ERA for the Fighting Illini

Illinois Athletics is a brand with a rich legacy of tradition, bolstered by the steadfast loyalty of fans and supporters. This collective support has propelled the Fighting Illini to rise to each opportunity and challenge in the competitive landscape of intercollegiate athletics. As we embark on the next phase of our evolution, Illini ERA, we will honor our past while charting a course for sustained success in the future. To deliver an unparalleled experience for student-athletes and fans alike, we must continue to evolve, refine, and advance our approach to reach our championship goals.

EVOLVE

Create a modernized ticketing process to enhance the fan experience and ensure sustained success for Fighting Illini student-athletes.

Illinois Athletics Facilities

In recent years, the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) has implemented enhancements aimed at improving the overall experience for fans and donors. Part of this ongoing effort is the modernization of the annual giving, season ticket, and parking processes to better serve our supporters.

The revamped seating model at Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center promises a more transparent, convenient, and customizable approach to season tickets alongside a smoother integration with I FUND memberships. Illini ERA also aims to expand access to season tickets, welcoming a new generation of fans while empowering current ticket holders to tailor their experience.

Creating a pathway for new fans while empowering current season ticket holders is an essential step toward elevating competitive success in the years ahead – from ensuring Illinois has the resources necessary to support student-athletes at the highest level to creating and maintaining the best possible fan experience.

Over the last three years, season tickets have grown by 38% at Memorial Stadium and 20% at State Farm Center. In the current ticketing structure, only 2% of Fighting Illini season ticket holders use their maximum ticket allotment.  

Beginning with the 2025-26 seasons, the current annual giving model will evolve into the I FUND Priority Seating model – creating a one-stop shop experience for each football and men’s basketball season ticket holder.

The simplified process will offer fans the opportunity to view all season ticket options and their total value, streamlining the donor and ticket holder experience. This will encompass the implementation of a reseating process for both venues. Following the 2025 reseat at both Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center, we will transition to a cadence that alternates venues every two years. Premium Seating areas will not be a part of the reseating process.

Memorial Stadium
Reseating Schedule

2025, 2031, 2035

ILLINI ERA TIMELINE

state farm center
Reseating Schedule

2025, 2029, 2033

ILLINI ERA TIMELINE

With the competitive environment of intercollegiate athletics and a growing Big Ten Conference, this updated model empowers the famILLy to be the difference in continuing to develop championship-caliber programs.

The future of Fighting Illini Athletics begins with Illini ERA.

REFINE

Integrate the new and improved process guided by DIA strategic priorities and fan feedback.

The Illini ERA model marks a transition to a customer-centric approach, empowering fans to take ownership of their experience.

The revamped ticketing and I FUND structure will provide season ticket holders with a streamlined formula for their I FUND membership level, guiding decisions on season tickets and parking. A season ticket holder’s I FUND membership level and Priority Point ranking will determine their seat and parking selection windows during venue reseating.

I FUND MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Annual contributions to Illinois Athletics are crucial to our pursuit of victory, providing educational opportunities for student-athletes while ensuring our coaches have the resources to compete for conference and national championships. I FUND members enjoy exclusive benefits such as complimentary season parking, priority for postseason tickets, single game presales, and member-only events. For more information on 2025 I FUND membership levels and benefits, click here.

Starting in 2025, I FUND membership levels will be comprised of all contributions made to the Football Priority Seating Fund, Men’s Basketball Priority Seating Fund, and Illini Excellence gifts within a specific membership period.

I FUND PRIORITY SEATING

Season tickets for football and men’s basketball will require an I FUND Priority Seating contribution per seat, in addition to the season ticket cost. Both venues will still offer several sections that will not require an I FUND Priority Seating contribution. Contributions to I FUND Priority Seating directly impact Illinois student-athletes, offsetting the $13 million in educational support provided each year. Not only will I FUND Priority Seating gifts enhance the lives of student-athletes, but they will also be the gateway to the best season ticket holder experience.

I FUND Priority Seating contributions will earn 1 priority point per $1 donated.

1080x1080 FB Priority Seating Overview
1080x1080 MBB Priority Seating Overview

ILLINI EXCELLENCE GIFTS

Contributions beyond the I FUND Priority Seating requirement are considered Illini Excellence gifts. Illini Excellence gifts demonstrate a commitment to building, supporting, and maintaining a competitive advantage by helping educate, train, and fuel our student-athletes to out-perform the competition.

Illini Excellence gifts earn 2 priority points per $1 donated.

WHEN TO MAKE AN ILLINI EXCELLENCE GIFT

Making an Illini Excellence gift is a great way to increase your I FUND membership level for the purposes of securing your favorite parking location, adding to your Priority Points total, increasing your allocation ranking for postseason tickets, or accessing other member benefits that wouldn’t otherwise be available based on your I FUND Priority Seating minimum contribution.

SEASON TICKET INFORMATION

8 out of 10 fans who select their season tickets in the same or similar location at Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center will pay the same price or less in 2025.

Illinois Football Season Ticket Map & Pricing

Only 23% of seats at Memorial Stadium will require an I FUND Priority Seating contribution

Illinois Men’s Basketball Season Ticket Map & Pricing

Only 63% of seats at State Farm Center will require an I FUND Priority Seating contribution

SEASON TICKET HOLDER EXAMPLES

Calculator

Use the calculator below to personalize your season ticket cost and I FUND membership level:

3d seating maps

Note: All price values for men’s basketball included in the 3D map are reflective of the 2024-25 season ticket pricing do not yet include required I FUND Priority Seating contributions for Illini ERA.

FOOTBALL SEASON PARKING

Note: More information regarding parking for the 2025-26 men’s basketball season will be shared at a later date.

We recognize how important parking is to the gameday experience and plan to continue offering parking as a complimentary benefit of being an I FUND member. Season parking pass locations will continue to be determined based on I FUND membership level (Football Priority Seating contribution + Men’s Basketball Priority Seating contribution + Illini Excellence gift) and Priority Point ranking.

Illini fans with season tickets for football or men’s basketball and an active I FUND membership will be invited to participate in the annual parking selection process, taking place in May for football and July for men’s basketball. The lots available for a member to select will be based on their I FUND membership level as of the posted I FUND membership deadline.

ADVANCE

Utilize the new and improved process for the 2025-26 seasons of Fighting Illini Football and Men’s Basketball – generating a greater impact on fans and student-athletes.

With the evolution to Illini ERA, we’re here to make sure you are prepared with all of the information to help guide your decision as a season ticket holder and Fighting Illini supporter.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

timelines

2025 FOOTBALL SEASON

NOVEMBER 20242025 I FUND Membership Period Begins
March 1, 20252025 I FUND Membership Deadline for Football
March 2025Seat Selection Times Distributed
April-May 2025Seat Selection
May 2025Parking Selection Surveys Distributed
June 2025Parking Locations Distributed

2025-26 MEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON

NOVEMBER 2024 2025 I FUND Membership Period Begins
MAY 2, 2025 2025 I FUND Membership Deadline for Men’s Basketball
MAY 2025 Seat Selection times distributed
JuNE 2025 Seat Selection
JULY 2025 Parking Selection Surveys distributed
AUGUST 2025 Parking Locations Distributed

FAQ

The I FUND serves as the official fundraising arm of Fighting Illini Athletics. Contributions to the I FUND provide educational resources to more than 500 student-athletes each year and ensure coaches have the resources to compete for conference and national championships. 

I FUND Membership Level is determined by the total contributions toward Football Priority Seating, Men’s Basketball Priority Seating, and Illini Excellence gifts.

The Illini ERA model is cost-effective for most season ticket holders. It provides a low entry point, with several sections that do not require an I FUND Priority Seating contribution. It also provides a simplified method for season ticket holders to calculate ticket prices and required contributions. Additionally, there is more flexibility for season ticket holders to select seats in their desired location. This model is more equitable and accessible for all season ticket holders, and adds the convenient option to purchase any seat online.

An I FUND Priority Seating contribution is the minimum amount required to purchase tickets in a designated section/row. I FUND Priority Seating contributions are used to offset nearly $13 million in scholarships and financial assistance provided to Illinois student-athletes. All I FUND Priority Seating contributions receive 1 point per dollar and count toward a donor’s I FUND Membership Level.  

No. Approximately 23% of seats at Memorial Stadium will require a Priority Seating contribution, and approximately 63% of seats at State Farm Center will require a Priority Seating contribution. Several sections at each venue will not require an I FUND Priority Seating contribution.

No. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018, contributions tied to a specific season ticket seat location are no longer tax deductible. 

Priority ranking is first determined by your I FUND membership level, and then Priority Points within each level. Donors within each I FUND membership level will be ranked based on their Priority Point total to determine seat selection times during a reseat, parking selection, and ticket allocation for postseason play, including neutral-site events for football and men’s basketball. 

The I FUND Priority Points program is a fair and equitable way to allocate benefits to members. Priority Points are earned by making I FUND Priority Seating contributions, I FUND Scholarship contributions, Illini Excellence gifts, Investors Society contributions, contributions toward facilities projects, and contributions toward ICON. Season ticket holders also earn Priority Points for consecutive years of renewing tickets. Learn more about how Priority Points are calculated here.

Above and beyond Illini Excellence gifts can be used to increase your I FUND membership level and enhance your Priority Point ranking. Additionally, new in 2025, contributions toward ICON will earn 2:1 Priority Points for gifts made after July 1, 2024 and prior to February 28, 2025.

All contributions made prior to the I FUND membership deadline for each sport will influence your seat and parking selection windows. Refer to the above timeline for the specific I FUND membership deadlines for each sport.

An I FUND Priority Seating contribution is the value of the gift required to purchase a specific seat at Memorial Stadium and/or State Farm Center. An Illini Excellence gift is a contribution above and beyond your required I FUND Priority Seating contribution, which will increase your I FUND membership level to obtain enhanced benefits. The total giving from I FUND Priority Seating contributions and Illini Excellence gifts will determine your I FUND membership level.

All season ticket holders, with the exception of Premium Seat holders, will participate in the Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center reseating processes. Season ticket holders will have the opportunity to select seats at both venues, in the spring of 2025 for football and in the summer of 2025 for men’s basketball. To put yourself in the best possible position to select the same seats, please review the I FUND membership levels and Priority ranking information above. For specific information on how your previous contributions impact the 2025 selection, please contact your Fighting Illini Account Manager. 

Premium Seating areas will not be a part of the reseating process. Existing Premium Seating holders will be subject to the terms agreed upon in their current contracts. For new Premium Seating season ticket contracts, members must meet the minimum I FUND Priority Seating requirement set forth by the University of Illinois. 

Yes, you may elect to make your I FUND Priority Seating contribution at any point prior to purchasing your seats. Please note that these gifts are non-refundable and non-transferrable. In the event you select seats with a lower requirement than your original contribution, the additional gift will automatically be converted into an Illini Excellence gift, which will count toward your I FUND membership level and is up to 100% tax deductible. Contributions made prior to the I FUND membership deadline for each sport will influence your seat and parking selection windows. 

The reseating process will take place in the spring of 2025 for football and summer of 2025 for men’s basketball. Season ticket holders will have the opportunity to select their seats in order of their I FUND Priority ranking, which is determined by I FUND membership level and Priority Points. The process will take place through a 3D seating map to provide the best possible visualization of available seats. More details will be available regarding the reseating process in the fall of 2024. 

At Memorial Stadium, the maximum number of seats that can be selected is 20 per account.

At State Farm Center, the maximum number of seats that can be selected is 10 per account. This includes a maximum of 4 per account in the 100-level sections.

All season ticket holders will be required to meet the minimum I FUND Priority Seating contribution for their season tickets. If your contribution is below the required I FUND Priority Seating amount, you may either select a seating location that aligns with your current contribution amount or you will have the option to increase your contribution prior to selecting seats in the desired location.  

The I FUND parking selection process for both football and men’s basketball season ticket holders will remain the same. After the 2025 reseating process for each sport, season ticket holders who are I FUND members will have the opportunity to request their preferred lots. Following the parking request period, the I FUND and Illinois Ticket Office will allocate parking passes based on each donor’s I FUND membership level and Priority Point ranking. For specific minimum donations required to park in a specific lot, please click here.

FamILLy 4 Pack buyers will select new seats during the reseating process prior to the 2025 season. Locations for the FamILLy 4 Pack offer will be available in the East Balcony, and pricing for this package is still yet to be determined.

Mobile Pass holders will be eligible to participate in the State Farm Center reseat by opting in next spring. Please note, Mobile Pass holders will be placed in the I FUND Priority ranking process after all season ticket holders have had the opportunity to select their seats. To improve your place in the I FUND Priority ranking process, please contact your Fighting Illini Account Manager to upgrade your Mobile Pass to full season tickets for the 2024-25 season.