The University of Illinois State Farm Center has served as home for Fighting Illini Men’s Basketball since the completion of construction in 1963, as well as Fighting Illini Women’s Basketball from 1981-93 and from 1998-present. Not only is State Farm Center home to Illini Basketball, but it has also hosted events for Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Gymnastics, and Wrestling. In addition to athletics contests, State Farm Center hosts performances such as Broadway musicals, commencement ceremonies, concerts, and other shows.
The historic $170 million renovation of State Farm Center began in spring of 2014, and was finished in October 2016. During that timeframe, the facility was still host to Fighting Illini Men’s and Women’s Basketball for two seasons, creating a unique and challenging construction schedule. Key features of the project included upgrading restrooms and concession stands, adding suites and other premium seating areas, enhancing sound and lighting, integrating new scoreboards and graphics, and installing air conditioning, among other features, ensuring that State Farm Center will be one of the nation’s premier multi-purpose facilities for years to come.