State Farm Center

Capacity: 16,500

Home Teams: Illinois Fighting Illini (NCAA College Basketball)

State Farm Center Events

Located in the small college town of Champaign, two hours drive south of Chicago and known as Silicon Prairie for its high number of tech startups, State Farm Center has been the home of the Illinois Fighting Illini men’s and women’s college basketball teams for many decades. This facility, which was first opened in 1963, underwent major renovations in the early 2000s to modernize and advance its infrastructure. The Fighting Illini men’s basketball team has always had a dedicated following in Champaign and the surrounding area, even though the team’s fortunes on the court have swung wildly over the years. The Illini were strong in their early years, winning their first conference title in 1915 and qualifying for the NCAA’s Final Four in 1949, 1951, and 1952. They underwent a fallow period in the 1960s and 70s before emerging back onto the national stage in the 1980s and remaining a strong contender in the years since. All in all, the Illini have reached the NCAA postseason March Madness tournament 33 times, pushing through to the Sweet 16 on 11 occasions and the Elite 8 on 9. Of their 5 appearances in the Final Four, the Illini’s greatest achievement came in 2005, when head coach Bruce Weber led the team to their first ever championship final. The Illini came achingly close to winning the title, losing out in the end to a high-powered North Carolina Tar Heels team by a score of 75-70. Coach Weber also oversaw the ascension of some of the university’s best ever players of modern times to the NBA, including Meyers Leonard and Deron Williams (who became a three-time NBA All Star), to complement the Illini’s earlier generation of NBA stars: Andy Phillip, Johnny Kerr, and Don Ohl. Visitors to State Farm Center will be struck by the passion and dedication of Illinois Fighting Illini fans, particularly the student sections known as the Orange Krush who squeeze into packed sections surrounding the court and generate plenty of noise. There was formerly an annual event at the venue known as “Paint the Hall Orange” but this was deemed no longer necessary as fans began to show up at every game cloaked in the team’s bright orange (though on some nights, fan sections wear alternating orange and navy blue for a truly stunning visual effect). As well as Fighting Illini basketball games, State Farm Center has also recently become the home of the university’s wrestling team and frequently hosts regional and state high school sports tournaments. As one of the largest venues in the region outside Chicago, State Farm Center also attracts quite a few large scale concerts, comedy shows, and other events. The arena is also home to an annual series of Broadway musicals, which has included such popular shows as Miss Saigon, Fiddler on the Roof, and Les Miserables in years past. Any visitors arriving at State Farm Center on an empty stomach will find a range of scrumptious snacks at the venue’s concessions, including big juicy burgers, melted cheese sandwiches, and popcorn, along with local craft beer. Those keen on Fighting Illini or event merchandise should head to shops and kiosks at the State Farm Center or around campus.

How can I find the cheapest tickets to games and events at State Farm Center?

The main draw at State Farm Center is definitely Fighting Illini men’s basketball games, with fans from all over the state and even further abroad driving long distances to come and support their team. The venue also pulls in big crowds for concerts, comedy shows, and other events (including its popular annual Broadway series). This means that finding tickets, particularly the best tickets, to Fighting Illini games and other popular events at State Farm Center can be difficult. What can you do? Check the TicketX listings on this page to search for all the cheapest tickets to Fighting Illini basketball games and other exciting  State Farm Center events and use our trusty TicketX seating chart to compare different seating options in terms of price and location. With just a single click, you can purchase tickets from TicketX with the lowest commission fees!

State Farm Center Seating Chart

State Farm Center is a large venue that presents visitors with many different seating options. Those keen on a luxurious day out can apply for premium seating areas such as loge boxes, box suites, courtside seating, or club seats in the Legacy Club or Traditions Club. The rest of the venue is filled with general admission seating, with tickets generally getting rising in price the closer you get to the floor. If you will be attending a Fighting Illini basketball game, show up in your orange or don’t show up at all!

Getting to State Farm Center (Transportation and Parking)

Visitors can access the State Farm Center via public transportation or driving their own vehicle. 

Getting to State Farm Center via public transportation

Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) bus services can be used to get to State Farm Center by those wishing to access the venue via public transportation. Taxis or ride-shares could be a simpler and more convenient option, especially if you are a visitor and unfamiliar with the city. Walking or cycling could also be possible depending on the weather and your location. Bike racks are available at the arena. Visit State Farm Center’s official website for details on public transportation.

Getting to State Farm Center by car

Driving to State Farm Center in your own vehicle is easy enough if you make sure to budget plenty of time to negotiate the traffic that builds up before big games and events. State Farm Center’s official website has excellent driving directions along with advice on how to avoid the mostly heavily-congested areas. 

Does State Farm Center have on-site parking?

Yes, there is plenty of parking around State Farm Center in the four large lots surrounding the stadium as well as the E-14 Lot just across First Street. Information on parking as well as parking maps can be found on State Farm Center’s official website. Be sure to check advice on parking for your specific game or event, however, as parking arrangements do sometimes vary.

How much does State Farm Center parking cost?

Parking in the lots around State Farm Center costs $15 on the day or $13 if purchased along with your ticket. These prices sometimes vary based on the nature of the event. Check the State Farm Center’s official website for more information on parking and parking prices.