Seeing The Biggest Scoreboard in College Football - Memorial Stadium - Fighting Illini Football - September 2026

Over the weekend, we went down to see our Fighting Illini take on the Duke Blue Devils from the Atlantic Coast Conference at Gies Memorial Stadium.  Despite the terrible outcome (feels like one of the worst losses in the Bret Bielema era, doesn't it?), this was the first time we were able to see - in person - the largest scoreboard in college sports.  

That's how the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and scoreboard company Daktronics bill it.  

Heading into the game, we knew it was going to be BIG.  But...seeing it in person really *is* something.  It is...genuinely YUGE. 

And, the team is doing some neat stuff with it in terms of engaging the fans.  I presumed it was going to be used for ALL ADS.  ALL THE TIME.  But, it really wasn't.  They also added some new boards around the stadium - above the students, along the West side.  And, under the overhang of the east side.  We sit on the east side and for these early-season games, the sun can get hot.  So, sitting up under the overhang makes the day games much more pleasant.  The downside is not being able to see the board.  They solved that by adding a bunch of video boards under the overhang.  That's a big improvement over the two video boards that were previously attached to the towers on each side and some down/distance boards that were in the middle.

Here, below is our first look from our seats of the board:

I usually try to get in early for warmups and pre-game activities.  And, get to our seats with plenty of time before kickoff.  

In addition to upgrading the boards, they CLEARLY upgraded the wifi/cell reception situation at the stadium, because for the first time, I was able to participate in the fan-stuff that they show on the board.  Coke has a "Fan work is thirsty work" segment that the in-stadium team ran pre-game.  About an hour before kickoff, they flash up a QR code where you can take a photo/upload a photo that they'll show on the big video board.  

Of course, I had to try to get up there.  I uploaded a photo of the KotBTs that we took in Grange Grove of him wearing an Illini helmet and gloves.  Loaded it up to the Coca Cola "Fan Work is Thirsty Work" screen.  And waited a couple of minutes.  Guessing there is some human-in-the-loop approval process.  

Then...his photo flashed up there.  That's him on the right:

Pretty neat.  First time seeing the big board.  First time being UP ON the big board.