2026 Illini Football Gamewatches
1420 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Wash DC 20003
Join the DC Illini for Fighting Illini football game watches this fall! Our plan this year is to host four game watches this season. Additionally, we are fortunate to have the Illini play an away game at Maryland this year!
We're trying out a new place in the District this fall--Trusty's. It's near the Potomac Ave Metro Station and has free parking on the weekends in the neighborhood. They will give us their second floor patio (enclosed during inclement weather) for our gamewatches and will give us food/drink specials.
If anyone would like to volunteer to host game watches at a Virginia or Maryland location, then we can expand our gamewatch opportunities. However, we need volunteers to make that happen. If interested in volunteering to host in another location, please send an email to dcillinipresident@gmail.com.
This year, we have a participation incentive! For each game watch attended (including the Maryland tailgate), attendees will be entered into a raffle for an item provided by the Fighting lllini football team. Dues-paying members will be entered three times for each gamewatch they attend. Here are the list of gamewatch events that will be part of the raffle:
- 12 Sep vs Duke (Time TBD)
- 26 Sep vs Ohio State (Time TBD)
- 24 Oct vs Oregon (Time TBD)
- 10 Oct vs Michigan State (Time TBD)
- 31 Oct vs Maryland - It's local--go to the game in person!! There will be a DC Illini tailgate and a UIAA event before the game.
- 13 Nov vs UCLA (Time TBD)
Why come to a DC Illini gamewatch?
- Illini Spirit: Watch the games with fellow Illini! Share stories, memories, and your unwavering Illini pride with fellow alumni.
- Networking : Forge valuable connections with Illini from across the DC area, representing a wide range of industries and professions.
- Food & Drinks: Enjoy great food and drinks while connecting with fellow Illini fans (self-purchase required).
We hope to see you there, ILL !