Champaign, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The stakes are high on the field this Saturday as No. 17 Illinois welcomes No. 1 Ohio State, but fans arriving early to Grange Grove may come away with more than just a game day experience.
In what’s being billed as the largest giveaway show in the history of FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, Illinois, FOX, and numerous business partners have teamed up to offer an unprecedented lineup of prizes — including free tuition for a year at the University of Illinois, a two-year lease of a 2026 GMC Terrain, and free meals for a year from Chick-Fil-A, Papa John’s, Jimmy John’s, and Portillo’s.
The event takes place in Grange Grove, with gates opening at 6:30 a.m. CT and live coverage of Big Noon Kickoff starting at 9 a.m. Kickoff between Illinois and Ohio State is set for 11 a.m. at a sold-out Gies Memorial Stadium.
Among the confirmed giveaways:
- One year of free tuition for a current UIUC undergrad ($13,000 in-state base rate)
- Two-year lease of a 2026 GMC Terrain (courtesy of Serra Buick GMC Champaign)
- Free Chick-Fil-A for a year
- Free Papa John’s for a year
- Free Jimmy John’s for a year
- $1,000 in Portillo’s gift cards
- Game tickets, food, trucker hats, and other FOX merchandise
Eligibility for giveaways like tuition and the car lease is limited, and official rules can be found at fightingillini.com/tuitionthrowingchallengerules. A valid University of Illinois student ID is required to win the tuition prize.
