University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mikey Reeves
Football Set to Play Illinois in 2027; Date Changes Announced for 2026
1/21/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team has added a game at the University of Illinois on September 11, 2027, the schools announced jointly Wednesday. The addition of this game will replace the previously announced game for this same date at Penn State as the programs mutually agreed to cancel the contest.
For the 2026 season, the Fightin' Blue Hens will now host Merrimack on Thursday, September 3 and welcome Coastal Carolina on Saturday, September 19.
The first-ever game against the Fighting Illini, this will be the second game on the docket for the Fightin' Blue Hens for the 2027 campaign, as they play host to LIU on September 2. The remaining announced games for the 2027 season are a home matchup against former CAA rival James Madison on September 18, and the return game at UConn, concluding the home-and-home that started this season.
This will be the third game the Blue Hens will play in program history in the Prairie State, and first since they defeated SIU in the 2007 Division I-AA Semifinals en route to a FCS Championship game appearance.
With this announcement, UD has scheduled matchups against all Power 4 conferences over its first three seasons of FBS competition, with three of the four coming over the first two seasons. To date, the Hens have scheduled eight games against Power 4 teams through the 2030 season with four happening over the first two seasons.
TICKET INFORMATION
Get your 2026 Delaware Football season tickets now by visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
For the 2026 season, the Fightin' Blue Hens will now host Merrimack on Thursday, September 3 and welcome Coastal Carolina on Saturday, September 19.
The first-ever game against the Fighting Illini, this will be the second game on the docket for the Fightin' Blue Hens for the 2027 campaign, as they play host to LIU on September 2. The remaining announced games for the 2027 season are a home matchup against former CAA rival James Madison on September 18, and the return game at UConn, concluding the home-and-home that started this season.
This will be the third game the Blue Hens will play in program history in the Prairie State, and first since they defeated SIU in the 2007 Division I-AA Semifinals en route to a FCS Championship game appearance.
With this announcement, UD has scheduled matchups against all Power 4 conferences over its first three seasons of FBS competition, with three of the four coming over the first two seasons. To date, the Hens have scheduled eight games against Power 4 teams through the 2030 season with four happening over the first two seasons.
TICKET INFORMATION
Get your 2026 Delaware Football season tickets now by visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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