The buzz is back in Champaign, and for good reason. Under head coach Bret Bielema, the Illinois Fighting Illini are coming off their first 10-win season since 2001, finishing with a 10–3 record. They capped off that historic run with a victory in the Citrus Bowl. Now, the pressure is on to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke but the new standard for Illinois football.
As the Fighting Illini look to build on that success, you should know that their Big Ten membership means games are spread across a ton of different channels. You’ll find them on broadcast networks (CBS, FOX, NBC), premium channels (Big Ten Network, ESPN, FS1), and streaming exclusively on Peacock.
My advice? Don’t stress about those viewing details on game day. I’ve done the homework for you in this guide. Below, you’ll find the complete 2025 Illinois football TV schedule and my expert breakdown of the best TV plans to catch every game.
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2025 Illinois football TV schedule
The 2025 Illinois schedule is all about surviving the Big Ten grind after a couple of major non-conference tests. An early road trip to Duke will tell the fans a lot, but I think the real measuring-stick game is the homecoming showdown with USC. Add in a tough home game against Ohio State and key road trips to Washington and Wisconsin, and you have a season defined by big opportunities.
It can be tricky to keep track of all the TV assignments. That’s why I’ve put together the full Fighting Illini schedule below, and I’ll update the kickoff times and channel listings as the season unfolds.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET)/Result | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Illinois Leathernecks | Friday, Aug. 29 | W 52–3 | Peacock |
| At Duke Blue Devils | Saturday, Sept. 6 | W 45–19 | ESPN |
| Western Michigan Broncos | Saturday, Sept. 13 | W 38–0 | FS1 |
| At Indiana Hoosiers (#19) | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | NBC |
| USC Trojans (#25) | Saturday, Sept. 27 | TBD | TBA |
| At Purdue Boilermakers | Saturday, Oct. 4 | TBD | TBA |
| Ohio State Buckeyes (#1) | Saturday, Oct. 11 | TBD | TBA |
| At Washington Huskies | Saturday, Oct. 25 | TBD | TBA |
| Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Saturday, Nov. 1 | TBD | TBA |
| Maryland Terrapins | Saturday, Nov. 15 | TBD | TBA |
| At Wisconsin Badgers | Saturday, Nov. 22 | TBD | TBA |
| Northwestern Wildcats | Saturday, Nov. 29 | TBD | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching Illinois football
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
To catch every Fighting Illini game this season, I recommend using Hulu + Live TV as your main service. It’s an excellent option for college football fans because it carries the key channels you’ll need on Saturdays. It also bundles in fantastic perks, such as ESPN+ and unlimited DVR storage.
No matter what, Illinois fans also need a Peacock Premium subscription this season. As part of the Big Ten’s current TV deal, a handful of conference-related games stream exclusively on Peacock. Without it, you’ll miss at least one Fighting Illini matchup during the 2025 campaign.
How to watch Illinois Fighting Illini football FAQ
Where can I watch Illinois football for free?
To watch Illinois football for free, your two best options are a digital antenna and a free streaming trial. An antenna gets you any games on local channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, while a well-timed free trial can get you access to games on cable channels like ESPN and Big Ten Network.
How can I stream Illinois football games without cable?
There’s no single streaming service that gets you every Illini game, but the best combination is Hulu + Live TV and Peacock. Hulu + Live TV gets you the main TV channels like Big Ten Network, CBS, and FOX, while Peacock is essential for its exclusive Big Ten matchups.
Can I watch Illinois football games on Peacock?
Yes, a Peacock subscription is a must-have for dedicated Fighting Illini fans. The team will have at least one game streaming exclusively on the service in 2025.
How do I watch Illinois football if I live out of state?
Because Illinois is a Big Ten school, all Fighting Illini games air nationwide. This means you don’t have to worry about regional blackouts; an out-of-state fan has the same access as someone in Champaign.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, cross-referenced the official Illinois Fighting Illini football schedule with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, he selected our viewing recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use.
This guide is updated regularly throughout the season to ensure our information is accurate. To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
