A full slate of promotional days, sponsor giveaways, Northern Illinois University’s 115th Homecoming and the Orange Bowl team’s 10th Anniversary celebration are just a few of the highlights surrounding the six Huskie football home games in 2022.

See the 2022 Football Promotions here.

Before every home game, all fans are invited to The Yard on the West Side of Huskie Stadium, a free gathering place. The Yard features music, a visit by the Huskie Marching Band, Silverettes and cheerleaders, a Kids’ Zone with inflatables, games, food, and drink available for purchase as well as the Huskie Athletic Fund tent. This year, NIU’s new radio flagship station – 94-9 WDKB – will host the “Toyota Huskie Nation Pre-Game Party” beginning 90 minutes prior to kickoff from The Yard. During November’s MACtion games, The Yard moves inside to the Chessick Practice Center.

The Thursday, Sept. 1 season opener is Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day with all NIU employees eligible to purchase tickets through a “buy one, get one free” offer. To take advantage of this opportunity, NIU faculty and staff can email huskiestickets@niu.edu with their NIU email address to receive the promo code or present their staff ID at the ticket windows on game day.

NIU’s game on Saturday, September 17 versus Vanderbilt is setting up to be a special day as NIU will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2012 Huskie team that made a historic run to the Orange Bowl after winning the MAC Championship in a double overtime thriller over Kent State. Players from the team will gather throughout the weekend and be introduced on the field during halftime. The Vanderbilt game is also Band Day and Scout Day. For more information on Scout Day, which includes discounted tickets, a pregame tailgate, the opportunity to create the high five tunnel for the team entrance, a post-game movie on the field and more, contact Rob Doerger, Director of Ticket Sales (rdoerger@niu.edu/815-753-6667).

On October 8, alumni, fans and more are invited to “come home to NIU” to celebrate the 115th Homecoming, one of the oldest such celebrations in the nation as the NIU football team takes on Toledo at 2:30 p.m. A full slate of events on campus is planned throughout the week, and NIU Athletics adds to that schedule with the induction of the 2022 Hall of Fame Class on Friday, October 7, including current Huskie head coach Thomas Hammock, football’s Chandler Harnish and Chad Spann and volleyball standout Kristin Hoffman. See the complete class here.

In addition, NIU is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Title IX on Homecoming Weekend, as women student-athletes from throughout the Huskies’ history – more than 1,900 in all – are invited back to connect with current members of NIU’s women’s sports teams and take part in the Homecoming festivities. A special brunch and panel revisiting that history will take place on Sunday, October 9 in the NIU Convocation Center.

For the MACtion games on Wednesday, November 2 versus Central Michigan, the Huskies will recognize Hometown Heroes, including members of the military and first responders, while NIU takes on Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday, November 16 for the Mallory Cup, in honor of the late Bill Mallory, who led both teams to MAC titles during a storied career.

Finally, fans are invited to cap off their Thanksgiving Weekend with a traditional Saturday game on November 26 when NIU takes on Akron for Senior Day with a special replica jersey giveaway on that day, courtesy of Old National Bank.

The Senior Day jersey giveaway is one of at least four different giveaways throughout the season provided by NIU game sponsors. The first 1,000 fans at the September 1 season opener will receive a 1st State Bank drawstring bag. For the Vanderbilt game, get a Huskie branded FNBO headband. A Homecoming giveaway is in the works with game sponsor Northwestern Medicine. Giveaway supplies are limited, so be sure to get into the gates early.

The Akron game is also the second of two “Pup Club Days” on the season with NIU Pup Club members receiving a ticket to both the Homecoming game on Oct. 8 and the home season finale. Of course, Pup Club members receive free admission to all other NIU events including volleyball, basketball and soccer. For more on the Pup Club, click here.

There are also several in-game promotions, such as the Hy-Vee Kick where a fan will have the opportunity to win free groceries for a year at five of NIU’s six home games. NIU will also interact with fans during the game through the NIU Huskies app with trivia contests and more at select games. Download the FREE NIU Huskies app here.

The Football Promotions page on NIUHuskies.com lists each of these efforts, game-by-game, and will be updated throughout the year as more promotions and outreach efforts are added.

With the added value of the special events and game promotions, now is the time to purchase football season tickets, mini-plans and/or single game tickets. Buy tickets anytime online at NIUHuskies.com or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225) during regular business hours. The Huskie All-Saturday Mini-Plan includes all three Saturday games for $90.  Add a ticket to Thursday night’s season opener at the single game, advance purchase price, or simply purchase season tickets for all six home games for as little as $97 (East Side) or $144 (West, reserved). Get together with friends and purchase the Huskie Family 4 Pack to get the lowest prices for reserved West Side seats for four season tickets or more. Complete ticket information, options and pricing is available here. Remember that parking is available at no charge in the NIU Convocation Center lots with your ticket purchase.