Illinois, Mizzou Reduce Football Series from 8 to 6 Games Starting 2027

The football series between the Missouri Tigers and Illinois Fighting Illini has been reduced from eight games to six, with the first game now scheduled for 2027 instead of 2026. Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman announced the cancellation of the 2026 and 2032 games, explaining that Illinois' 2026 schedule would have included 11 Power Four opponents, which was deemed unfeasible. The series will maintain a home-and-home format but may also feature neutral-site games beyond the traditional St. Louis venue. Missouri's schedule adjustments are influenced by the Southeastern Conference's consideration of adding a ninth league game starting in 2026, allowing Missouri to accommodate more conference games by dropping Illinois in 2026. The last meeting between the two teams was in 2010, and the future games will likely be held in Columbia, Champaign, or neutral locations. Both schools are finalizing the details of the revised agreement to balance competitive scheduling and maximize home game revenue.