The Illinois State football team is headed to the FCS national championship game on Monday, Jan. 5, in Nashville. Here’s what fans should know if they plan to watch or travel to the game.
Watch on TV
The ISU game against Montana State will be televised on ESPN starting at 6:30 p.m.
Watch parties
There are official Redbird watch parties popping up all over the country, including several in Bloomington-Normal. Check out ISU’s running list, which is sure to be updated by game day.
Game tickets
Tickets are now on sale for the game, starting at $158. You can buy tickets through the Illinois State ticket office (if you want to sit in the ISU fan sections) or through the NCAA.
Those looking to buy tickets through ISU Athletics must fill out their ticket-request form by 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29. While Redbird fans are likely to receive the tickets they request, filling out the form does not guarantee tickets to the championship game.
Illinois State fan sections will be located on the west side of the stadium in sections C, D, and E.
Travel
FirstBank Stadium in Nashville is about a 6.5-hour drive from Bloomington-Normal.
ISU Athletics is offering a travel package to the game which includes a bus ride from Normal to Nashville, a game ticket, and an optional two-night hotel stay. The bus will leave Sunday, Jan. 4, and return on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Those packages start at $300.
For those looking to avoid a lengthy car ride, there were flights to Nashville starting at $454 (with a stop at O’Hare) from Central Illinois Regional Airport, or $626 from Peoria, according to a search of Google Flights.
