University of Illinois Tailgating

While the parking lot may lack in amenities, the school makes up for it by offering overnight stays. Lot 33 opens the day before the game (usually a Friday evening) and the overnight parking pass costs about $40 if purchased in advance. If you'd like to stay overnight at the University of Illinois parking lot, you'll likely pay an additional $50. Saturday overnight parking is not normally available.

Fighting Illini fans may encounter a small selection of campgrounds near the university, but that should be no problem as long as you don’t mind a bit of driving. If RV spots are not available within the City of Champaign, the surrounding communities of Mahomet and Rantoul are less than 20 miles with additional campgrounds.

About 30 miles away from Champaign, the Kickapoo State Recreation Area is a great place to stay for the night. This piece of protected land offers excellent views, fishing, and hiking, and, most importantly, there are two campgrounds with enough spaces to accommodate you and your camper trailer. Kickapoo has been known to offer camping year-round, but may only offer amenities during some seasons.

Getting to the stadium is as easy as hopping on the Tran-Sport shuttle, but there are alternative options on campus for fans with mobility issues. An ADA shuttle is offered for those who park in the ADA shuttle lot, but there is also a golf cart shuttle service for everyone else. The golf cart shuttle picks up passengers from several lots, including the RV parking lot, beginning two hours before kick-off.

When traveling to see a game at Memorial Stadium, remember to glance at the weather forecast when packing. As the season starts around September, expect cool, but not cold, temperatures that drop even further by the season’s end in December. It’s recommended that you pack warm clothing. Also, don’t forget your University of Illinois items, which you’ll want to wear on game day to show your pride.

Once you’ve packed all your clothing and essentials, it’s time to prepare for the tailgate. You might not forget to include a grill but also remember to bring a table to display your bounty and a few chairs for your guests to sit. If you want a bit of entertainment, bring a portable speaker, but don’t crank it up too loud for the sake of your fellow tailgaters.

If grilling, always keep an eye on the flames to make sure it’s safe, especially if there are people close to your tailgating spot. Another thing you’ll want to prepare for are accidents, which can happen at a moment’s notice. Pack a first-aid kit, as sold at most supermarkets, and keep it in your RV for emergencies. A well-placed bandage can make the difference between continuing with the Fighting Illini fun and going to the hospital.

While tailgating may involve cooking and care of your guests, preparing the food the night before can be simplified with your RV kitchen setup. Take advantage of the overnight parking and save yourself some stress on game day. Remember that a tailgate is for fun, so enjoy the food you’re serving with plenty of taste testing. Include a fruit salad of just blueberries and oranges to boost team spirit. Keep your meal prep simple, and enjoy yourself!

In the Urbana-Champaign area, you’ll find many great, affordable restaurants that offer a wide range of cuisine. Some of the best-rated eateries are pizzerias, gastropubs, and BBQ joints. You’ll also find Chinese, Italian, and Mexican restaurants that can be a welcome sight after a long day of travel to Eastern Illinois.

While you may have double-checked your packing list before you left home, it’s possible you forgot your favorite piece of Fighting Illini apparel. Don’t worry; it happens to the best of us. Instead of attending the game in plain clothes, head to Grand East or West halls within the stadium to shop for the latest and greatest school gear. You can also head to the Grange Grove tailgating lot before the game to purchase Fighting Illini-branded clothing.