A Top 25 Clash: Indiana football sells out Big Ten opener against Illinois

Indiana Hoosiers football will open Big Ten play in 2025 with a game against Illinois on Sept. 20.
Indiana Spring Game
Indiana Spring Game | Justin Casterline/GettyImages

Indiana football's Big Ten-opener Sept. 20 against the Illinois Fighting Illini is now officially sold out at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington according to the program’s X post

ESPN’s Bill Connelly lists the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Indiana Hoosiers game, on September 20, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, standing out as "the biggest Illinois-Indiana game of all time." It's one of the biggest and most important matchups in the Big Ten's regular season.

Bret Bielema of Illinois and Curt Cignetti of Indiana, in a battle that will most likely determine the team in the Big Ten with the best chances to make the playoffs outside of the top three or four teams. Connelly states, "The loser will have to be just about perfect to get to 10-2 and a potential bid."

As far as the rest of the season and home games go, Curt Cignetti recently said in a press conference that he expects Memorial Stadium to be sold out for every home game. He did acknowledge Indiana's Sept. 12th matchup against Indiana State University may be more of a challenge. 

"It gets a little tougher to get to the stadium for some people on a Friday night, but we create a lot of excitement around here, and I expect to have great crowds." said Cignetti

Indiana Athletics noted that tickets for the August 30th season-opener against Old Dominion and Oct. 18 homecoming match against Michigan State are available in "limited quantities," implying the Hoosiers are closing in on sell-outs.

In 2024, the Hoosiers sold out their final four home games and set a single-season program attendance record with 386,992 fans, all victories against Nebraska, Washington, Michigan and Purdue – were each sold out.  The Indiana football program hopes to carry their momentum into 2025 with another College Football Playoff run.

Indiana football's 2025 schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Old Dominion

Sept. 6 vs. Kennesaw State

Sept. 13 vs. Indiana State

Sept. 20 vs. Illinois

Sept. 27 at Iowa

Oct. 11 at Oregon

Oct. 18 vs. Michigan State

Oct. 25 vs. UCLA

Nov. 1 at Maryland

Nov. 8 at Penn State

Nov. 15 vs. Wisconsin

Nov. 29 at Purdue