The anticipation surrounding the return of the Illinois-Missouri football rivalry in 2027 is palpable, yet the specifics regarding the game's location remain unresolved. University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman addressed this uncertainty during a press conference on July 25, indicating that discussions about the venue have yet to take place and need to be prioritized.
Whitman responded to inquiries about the game's location with a straightforward, "Not today," highlighting the ongoing deliberations between the two universities. Both Illinois and Missouri have undergone significant administrative changes in recent years, which may have contributed to the delay in finalizing the details for this much-anticipated matchup.
Potential locations for the inaugural game of the renewed series include major cities such as Kansas City, Chicago, St. Louis, and Nashville, as well as the campuses in Champaign and Columbia. The 2028 game is already set to occur in Champaign, while the 2029 matchup will take place in Columbia. A neutral-site game for the 2027 event seems logical, particularly considering the historical context of the rivalry, which was previously held in St. Louis for six consecutive seasons. This city, located roughly equidistant from both universities, would echo the long-standing basketball rivalry that has thrived in St. Louis for over fifty years.
However, the lack of clarity surrounding the location has raised concerns, especially following the reduction of scheduled games announced in the summer of 2025. Originally, Illinois and Missouri had plans to renew their rivalry back in 2017, with the first game set for September 26, 2026. Those plans were altered when an eight-game series was later scaled down to six games in 2025.
The revised schedule for the Illinois-Missouri football series is as follows:
Illinois-Missouri Future Football Dates:
Sept. 26, 2026 — Champaign, Ill.
Sept. 18, 2027 — Columbia, Mo. (Location TBD)
Sept. 16, 2028 — Champaign, Ill.
Sept. 15, 2029 — Columbia, Mo.
Sept. 18, 2032 — Champaign, Ill.
Sept. 17, 2033 — Columbia, Mo.
Sept. 16, 2034 — Champaign, Ill.
Sept. 15, 2035 — Columbia, Mo.
The recent agreement between the two schools has eliminated two matchups, with the cancellation attributed to both teams already facing power-conference opponents in their non-conference schedules for those seasons. Illinois is scheduled to host Duke in 2026, while Missouri has Kansas lined up for both 2026 and 2032.
The future of the rivalry is crucial for both programs, as neither team has a Power Four opponent scheduled during these crucial seasons. Historically, Missouri has dominated the series, leading 17-7; however, Illinois has shown marked improvement in recent years, making this rivalry renewal even more exciting for fans.
With the SEC now mandating its teams to play a Power Four opponent annually in non-conference play, the need for Missouri to participate in this series is heightened. The Big Ten has yet to implement a similar requirement, but the hope remains that both schools will honor their commitment to rekindle this rivalry in 2027. As discussions continue, fans are eager for clarity on the location and the future of this storied series.
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