Illinois State Basketball Tickets

Illinois State Basketball Tickets

Even if they don’t have a national brand, the Illinois State Redbirds have a proud history and a promising future on the basketball court. Among the team’s fanbase, last-minute Illinois State basketball tickets have always been in high demand. The Redbirds have long been one of the more intriguing and competitive programs in the Missouri Valley Conference, which is one of the best mid-major conferences in the country. It’s a program that expects to make noise every March, which is why cheap Illinois State basketball tickets are sometimes hard to find.

Crazy in the 80s

While Illinois State had success at the Division II level throughout the 1930s and 40s, the program first experienced success at the Division I level in the 80s. Under head coach Bob Donewald, the Redbirds went to the NCAA Tournament in three straight seasons starting in 1983, making the tournament twice as an at-large team. As an at-large team, Illinois State won their first-round game in 1984 and 1985, beating Alabama and USC, respectively. Donewald’s success in the 80s led to further success in the 90s under coaches Bob Bender and Kevin Stallings. In those ten seasons, the Redbirds went to the NCAA Tournament three more times while winning four regular-season Missouri Valley titles.

21st Century Blues

Unfortunately for Illinois State, the program fell on hard times after the turn of the century. Outside of a long string of NIT appearances, the Redbirds struggled to find traction and get back to the big stage. However, the return of former player Dan Muller in 2012 breathed new life into the program, ultimately leading to a share of the Missouri Valley regular-season title in 2017. Muller is one of the most decorated players in Illinois State history and could be the perfect person to lead the Redbirds back to prominence. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Does Illinois State Basketball Play?

Naturally, the Redbirds play their home games at Redbird Arena, which is located on the Illinois State campus in Normal, Illinois. The venue first opened in 1989 and is primarily used to host Illinois State men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball. The court at Redbird Arena is named after Doug Collins, who was an All-American at Illinois State, and went on to become a four-time all-star in the NBA before becoming an NBA coach. Redbird Arena is noteworthy for its unique Teflon roof and has a capacity of 10,200 fans for basketball games.

When do Illinois State tickets go on sale?

Cheap Illinois State tickets to games played at Redbird Arena are available months in advance, as are Illinois State tickets for away games. In other words, there’s no rush to check Illinois State's schedule. Just grab tickets whenever you’ve got the itch.

Is it better to buy Illinois State tickets in advance?

With Illinois State tickets being available so far ahead of time, it’s easy to buy tickets whenever you want to – but there’s little need to plan ahead. You can often get cheap last-minute tickets to Illinois State games by waiting to make your purchase until the very last minute. As game day gets closer and sellers drop their prices, fans reap the benefits.

What’s the best way to buy cheap Illinois State tickets?

The best way to buy cheap Illinois State tickets is always going to be from a secure online platform that connects fans and resellers. These ticket marketplaces often have some of the cheapest ticket prices and are the easiest way to shop for Illinois State tickets. Can you buy Illinois State tickets at the stadium? Sure – but you’ll likely be paying a higher price than you need to!  

Why should I choose Gametime over other ticket marketplaces?

Ticket marketplaces are the best place to find sports tickets. And when it comes to cheap Illinois State tickets, Gametime is a no-brainer. Seats bought through us are affordable because we charge some of the lowest service fees anywhere. On top of that, we show you the view from the seats you’re shopping for thanks to our panoramic seat view photos. You’ll never have to buy seats blind with Gametime – you’ll know what your view at Redbird Arena will be before you buy those cheap Illinois State tickets. So the next time you’re in the market for cheap Illinois State tickets, turn to Gametime.

How much are Illinois State Basketball tickets?

Illinois State ticket prices will differ depending on a number of factors. Generally speaking, the average ticket price for Illinois State tickets is around $50 a ticket. But you can be looking at a few hundred dollars more, depending on the opponent, stage of play, and demand.