Watch Illinois football state championships for free (updated)

Published: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 3:30 pm

Illinois High School Football Championships to Air Free of Charge

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) football playoffs are set to resume this week, with four championship games scheduled to be broadcast live and available on-demand. The games, originally slated for last weekend but postponed due to inclement weather, will now take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Viewers will have multiple options to watch the games without incurring any costs. The U (WCIU in Chicago) will broadcast the games live. Additionally, DIRECTV and Fubo are offering free trials, providing access to the games on-demand. The NFHS Network will also stream the games.

The schedule includes two games on Tuesday at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. Class 5A will feature St. Francis versus Providence Catholic at 3 p.m. CST, followed by Class 6A with Fenwick against East St. Louis at 6 p.m. CST. Tickets for these games are priced at $17 online and $15 at the gate.

On Wednesday, the action shifts to Huskie Stadium on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Class 7A will see St. Rita face Brother Rice at 3 p.m. CST, and Class 8A will pit Mount Carmel against Oswego at 6 p.m. CST.

For those seeking alternative viewing options, Sling offers access to ABC in select regions, though it does not provide a free trial. DIRECTV and Fubo offer distinct features. DIRECTV provides live TV from major broadcast and cable networks, including unlimited cloud DVR storage. Fubo boasts a wide selection of channels, including sports-focused networks. Sling offers customizable channel lineups at a monthly cost, as well as one-time passes for short-term viewing.

BNN's Perspective:

The availability of these high school championship games through free trials and streaming services is a positive development. It allows wider access to these important events for families and fans, regardless of their cable subscriptions. The variety of viewing options caters to different preferences and budgets, promoting community engagement in high school athletics.

Keywords: Illinois High School Football, IHSA, Football Playoffs, Championship Games, Live Stream, Free, The U, WCIU, DIRECTV, Fubo, NFHS Network, Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University, St. Francis, Providence Catholic, Fenwick, East St. Louis, St. Rita, Brother Rice, Mount Carmel, Oswego, Streaming, Sports, High School Sports

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