The University of Illinois announced on Apr. 1 a series of events for fans traveling to Indianapolis as the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team competes in the NCAA Final Four.
These activities offer opportunities for supporters to engage with the team and other fans throughout the weekend, including free and ticketed events at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.
A highlight is the official Illini Pregame Party scheduled for Saturday, April 4 from 2-5 p.m. Eastern Time at Hall C of the Indiana Convention Center. Registration is required, with tickets priced at $125. The university said a purchase window for Monday’s pregame party will open if Illinois advances further in the tournament.
Fans can also attend Reese’s Final Four Open Practice on Friday, April 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium starting at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. This event is free and open to the public, giving attendees a chance to watch practice alongside thousands of other Illini supporters.
Additional festivities include the Men’s Final Four Fan Fest inside Indiana Convention Center across multiple days, featuring games, performances, giveaways and autograph sessions. Entry requires registration costing $15 but is free for game ticketholders. The Men’s Final Four Tip-Off Tailgate offers free watch parties and family-friendly activities each day from Friday through Monday at an outdoor location on Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis.
According to the official website, the University of Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball team reached previous NCAA Final Fours in 1949, 1951, 1952, 1989 and 2005 according to the official website. The team has played home games in Champaign while competing as part of NCAA Division I athletics under its “Fighting Illini” nickname within the Big Ten Conference according to their official site.
As excitement builds around this year’s tournament run, university officials encourage fans attending events to wear orange.
