Marching Illini in Concert
The Marching Illini return to State Farm Center for Marching Illini in Concert, on Sunday, October 4, at 3:00 p.m.
Known as “The Nation’s Premier College Marching Band,” the Marching Illini has been entertaining audiences since 1868 with a combination of tradition, precision, innovation and unmistakable Fighting Illini spirit. The 2026 Marching Illini features 375 members, including musicians, color guard, the Illinettes Dance Team, drum majors, and undergraduate and graduate staff.
Marching Illini in Concert gives fans the opportunity to experience the power and pageantry of the band in a unique arena setting. The performance will showcase the music, formations and traditions generations of Illini know and love, including favorites such as “Illinois Loyalty,” “Oskee-Wow-Wow,” “Hail to the Orange” and more.
Whether you’re a current student, proud alum, longtime Illini fan or simply a fan of outstanding live music, Marching Illini in Concert is a fitting finale to an unforgettable Homecoming weekend in Champaign-Urbana.
Doors Open: 2:00 p.m.
Tickets start at $17.50, and are on sale now at StateFarmCenter.com, by calling 1-866-ILLINI-1, or at the Illinois Ticket Office at the State Farm Center.
Since 1868, the Marching Illini has entertained millions of fans with traditional and innovative performances that have made them “The Nation’s Premier College Marching Band.” The excellence of innovation continues and is very much alive today as the Marching Illini continues its pursuit of the highest levels of musical, visual, and thoroughly entertaining performances at the historic Memorial Stadium.
The Marching Illini is a select organization which annually includes many of the university’s finest and most dedicated students. Members of the Marching Illini represent virtually every college and major on the university’s diverse campus. This year’s Marching Illini totals 375 members, which include musicians, guard, the Illinettes Dance Team, drum majors, and the undergraduate and graduate staff members.
The Marching Illini has played at many prestigious events, including being the first college marching band to perform in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin Ireland in 1992, an engagement they repeated six more times. They were also the first college marching band to perform at the London Military Tattoo at Wembley Arena in 2001.
The Marching Illini halftime show is known for many distinct components, including a modified “ILLINI” formation created by A.A. Harding in the 1920s. Before this takes place, the pregame opener is performed with the Illinois state song, “Patriotic Melody,” “God Bless America,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and concludes with “America the Beautiful.” The traditional football halftime show performance includes a medley comprised by parts of “Pride of the Illini,” “March of the Illini” and “Hail to the Orange.” The Marching Illini also plays the national anthem, “Illinois Loyalty,” “Oskee-Wow Wow” and “William Tell” during dynamic formation changes.