The football rivalry between Mizzou and Illinois is scheduled to resume with a four-year home and home football series that will begin in the 2026 season at Champaign, Illinois, officials from both schools announced Monday.
“We are pleased to announce a four-year home and home series with the University of Illinois,” said Mizzou Director of Athletics Jim Sterk. “This is another opportunity to renew a great football rivalry that we believe Tiger fans everywhere will be excited about.”
Mizzou will travel to Illinois for a September 26, 2026 contest in Champaign, Ill., with the Illini returning the game the following year to Columbia, Mo., on September 18, 2027. The teams will also meet in Champaign on Sept. 16, 2028 before concluding the agreement in Columbia on September 15, 2029.
Missouri and Illinois have met 24 times in football, dating back to 1896, with the Tigers holding a 17-7 series advantage. However, Mizzou has won six-straight and seven of the last eight between the programs, including a 23-13 win during the 2010 campaign in the last meeting between the programs which was played in St. Louis.