CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Illinois football program is headed back to postseason play, officially accepting an invitation Sunday to compete in the 2025 Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee. The Fighting Illini will square off against Tennessee on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium, with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
The bid marks the 22nd bowl appearance in Illinois history and the third in four seasons under head coach Bret Bielema. It will also be the program’s first-ever trip to the Music City Bowl — and its first matchup on the gridiron against the Volunteers.
“We are pleased to accept the invitation to play in the 2025 Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl and represent the Big Ten Conference in Nashville,” said Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. “This bowl trip is a well-earned reward for another successful season and a tremendous opportunity to continue re-writing our records book.”
Illinois enters the postseason at 8–4 (5–4 Big Ten) and will pursue a ninth win for the second straight year. Achieving it would give the Illini back-to-back 9+ win seasons for the first time in school history. The program’s 18 victories over the past two seasons have already tied the school record for wins in a two-year span.
Bielema, who has guided Illinois to 36 wins in his first five seasons — the highest total ever by an Illini head coach over such a stretch — will tie the school record for bowl games coached with his third. A win in Nashville would also make him the first coach in program history to notch bowl victories in consecutive seasons.
“We are excited to accept the invitation to a first-class bowl game against a quality SEC opponent in Tennessee,” Bielema said. “This is an outstanding opportunity for our program and our fans to celebrate one of the most accomplished groups of seniors in Illinois history.”
The Illini senior class has fueled one of the strongest five-year eras in program history. Another win would tie the school’s best five-year mark since 1905.
Ticket requests in the Illinois seating block are currently open to I FUND members and season ticket holders through Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. CT. Remaining tickets will be made available to the general public beginning Dec. 15 at noon. Details and future travel package information can be found at FightingIllini.com/2025MusicCityBowl.
