MLB

St. Louis Cardinals def Cincinnati Red 10-9

Atlanta Braves def Chicago White Sox 2-0

Cubs were off

(Bloomignton–jc)  The Bloomington Central Catholic Saints are the week one opponent for the Paxton Buckley Loda Panthers  in I H S A Football. Bloomington Central Catholic Football Coach Kevin Braucht (brat) talks about his returning 7 on offense with some new faces on defense…

Bloomington Central Catholic Football Coach Kevin Braucht

(Gibson city–jc)  – The Gibson City Melvin Sibley Falcons football team starts the new year on the road at Heart of Illinois Conference rival Tri Valley, Friday night. The Falcons have a new head coach, but a familiar coach in Seeff Grauer. New Gibson City Melvin Sibley Coach Seeff Grauer talks about his coaching resume…

Gibson City Melvin Sibley Football Coach Seeff Grauer

(Loudon–jc) Loudon is a “tricky track” according to one Nascar Cup Series Driver. Cup Series Driver Christopher Bell says it’s managing the track and always  the bumps and more in turn three…

Nascar Cup Series Driver Christopher Bell

The Dollar Tree 301 is live on WPXN at 1pm on Sunday

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Buckley Loda Panther football team heads to Bloomington Central Catholic tonight to take on the Saints in week one of the 

I H S A Football season. Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard says the team will be young, but have a good number of returners from last year…

Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard

Our coverage tonight begins at 6-oh-5pm

MLB

Chicago Cubs at Seattle Mariners 9:10pm

St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies 5:40pm

NY Mets at Chicago White Sox 6:40pm

IHSA Football

Week 1- August 21

PBL @ Bloomington Central Catholic

Tolono Unity @ Rantoul

Prairie Central @ St. Joseph Ogden

Illinois Valley Central @ Monticello

Coal City @ Pontiac

Westville @ Iroquois West

Tri-Valley @ GCMS

Cumberland @ Fisher

Morton @ Mahomet Seymour

Danville @ Champaign Central

Urbana @ Champaign Centennial - Saturday, August 22nd - noon

8Man Football-Saturday

Milford Cissna Park vs Hiwatha

St. Thomas More vs Peoria Heights

NFL Preseason

Friday

Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos

Saturday 

Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts

Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals

Tonight on WPXN its IHSA Football as the PBL Panthers are on the road at Bloomington Central Catholic. Our coverage begins at 6-oh-5 with the Friday Night Preview Show. We’ll join Jay Eshleman and Rocky Maron at 6-35 with their pre-game show and the kick off is set for 7pm. 

Saturday morning it’s the Illini Guys radio program from 6am to 7am. Get the latest on U of I Sports and more. Sponsored by Popejoy Roofing and the Shields Auto Group.

Then its On the Sidelines from 7-8. Sponsored by Angel Auto Services of Onarga, Matco Fire Protection Services of Paxton, Elite Performance-Gibson Area Hospital and The Roofing Dog

Sunday on WPXN its NASCAR Cup Series Racing with the Dollar Tree 301 from Loudon, New Hampshire.  Broadcast at 1pm

MLB

Chicago White Sox def Chicago Cubs 3-0

Cincinnati Reds def St. Louis Cardinals 5-4

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Buckley Loda Football team begins the season on the road at Bloomington Central Catholic tomorrow night. The Illini Prairie Conference is considered one of the best conferences in the state and will have its elite teams again this year, says Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard…

Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard

Our coverage begins at 6-oh-5 tomorrow night with the Friday Night Preview Show. We join Jay Eshlemann and Rocky Maron at 6-35 with their pre-game show and the kick off is set for 7pm from Bloomington. 

(Loudon–jc)  It’s Nascar racing at Loudon New Hampshire on Sunday. Nascar Cup Series Driver Christopher Bell looks at the challenges of the track, especially in the third corner…

Nascar Cup Series Driver Christopher Bell

The race airs live on Sunday, on WPXN. 

MLB

11-40am St Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds

1-10pm Atlanta Braves at Chicago White Sox

Chicago Cubs have the day off

MLB

Chicago Cubs def Chicago White Sox 4-3

St. Louis Cardinals def Cincinnati Reds 3-0

630am

(Urbana–jc)   University of Illinois Running Back Ca'Lil Valentine has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Doak Walker Award, released Tuesday by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum. Valentine, a junior from Hayward, Calif., is one of 62 players on the list, overall, and one of 12 from the Big Ten.

The Illini take on The University of Alabama Birmingham on Thursday September 3rd at 8pm the game, and all football games,  air live on WPXN

(Milford–jc)  The Milford Cissna Park 8 Man Football team made the playoffs again last year, losing eventually to the state champions in Amboy High School. Milford Cissna Park 8 Man Football Coach Clint Schwartz talks about two of his returning leaders…

Milford Cissna Park 8 Man Football Coach Clint Schwartz

(Loudon–jc)  It’s New Hampshire racing on Sunday as the Nascar Cup Series season continues. Nascar Cup Series Driver Joey Logano talks about momentum going to  New  Hampshire…

Nascar Cup Series Driver Joey Logano.

MLB

1-20pm Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs

5-40pm St Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds

MLB

Chicago Cubs def Chicago White Sox 7-5 in 10 innings

St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds split a double header 

Cardinals won game one 2-1, Reds won game two 6-5 in 10 innings

The Rantoul/PBL Boys Golf team finished 8th in the Tiger Kickoff Classic at the U of I Blue Course. Lucas Rodeen tied for 16th place with a score of 79. Avery Busboom and Jack Flessner each tied for 30th with a score of 84.

The Iroquois West Girls golf team participated in a head to head match against Manteno on 8/17 at Aspen Ridge. Manteno took the match by 1 point, winning 221 to 222. IW’s Kaia Kimmel was the meet medalist with a 42. Other scores for IW were Karsyn Arie 55, Paige Miller 58, and Alivia Albrecht with a 67 to round out the top 4 scores. The team was completed by Jovie Herscher and Presley Schunke.

(Richmond–jc)  With the race at Richmond completed, and racing headed to New Hampshire on Sunday, some extended practice time continues for Nascar Cup Drivers. Nascar Cup Driver Austin Dillon talks about more time on the track…

Nascar Cup Series Driver Austin Dillon

(Urbana–jc)  The University of Illinois Football team continues to practice and get ready for the upcoming season. University of Illinois Defensive Lineman Pat Ferrell says they continue to work on the new defense…

University of Illinois Defensive Lineman Pat Ferrell.

WPXN is your local source for Illinois Football, again this year. The first broadcast is Thursday September 4th at 7pm with the network

MLB

7-oh-5pm Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs

5-40pm St Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds

MLB

St. Louis Cardinals def Chicago Cubs 11-4

Chicago White Sox def Detroit Tigers 7-5

NFL Preseason

Saturday

Chicago Bears def Cleveland Browns 34-10

CIFL

Flag Football

Momence def PBL 40-23

Dwight def Herscher 42-8

Mighty Mites

PBL def Momence 37-6

GCMS def Central 27-0

Watseka def Iroquois West 40-27

Dwight def Hescher 19-18

Juniors

PBL def Momence 24-20

GCMS def Central 33-6

Iroquois west def Watseka 12-8

Hescher def Dwight 18-0

Seniors

Momence def PBL 51-22

GCMS def Central 16-0

Iroquois West def Watseka 24-6

Dwight def Herscher 28-18

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Illinois Varsity "I" Association will host members of the Illinois football team's 2001 Big Ten championship football team for a 25th anniversary reunion on campus the weekend of Sept. 11-12. Former Fighting Illini are invited back to Brandon Lloyd's Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame induction on Friday, Sept. 11, before the Illini take on Duke at Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12. 

(Richmond–jc)  It was a sell out crowd in Richmond on Saturday night for the Nascar Cup Series. MRN was there with all the action…

 Joey Logano outdueled Chase Briscoe to capture his 2nd checkered flag of 2026. . 

(Urbana–jc)  There are some changes for rosters and eligibility for collegiate football players. University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema talks about those options…

University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema

You can hear the Illini football games live on WPXN, again this year starting with game one on Thursday September 3rd

 MLB

7-oh-5pm Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs

5-40pm St Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds

MLB

Washington Nationals def Chicago cubs 7-0

Cincinnati Reds def Chicago White Sox 9-8

NFL Pre season

Pittsburgh Steelers def Green Bay Packers 28-9

Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots end in 13-13 tie

(Richmond–jc)  It’s where you race in Richmond that can help you to the front and a top finish in the race. Nascar Cup Series Driver Ryan Preece says the center is the key…

Nascar Cup Series Driver Ryan Preece

The cup race airs live on Saturday afternoon starting at 5pm

(Urbana–jc)  The University of Illinois Football program has a new  defensive coordinator in Bobby Hauck. It’s also a new defensive scheme for this year with a Three-Three-Five Defense. University of Illinois Junior Defensive Lineman Pat Ferrell says learning the new system has been a learning experience but also exciting…

University of Illinois Football Defensive Lineman Pat Ferrell.

WPXN will carry all the Illinois football games live again, this year. 

MLB

St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs 1:20pm

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers 5:40pm

NFL Preseason Saturday

Noon Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears

Saturday morning it’s the Illini Guys radio program from 6am to 7am. Get the latest on U of I Sports and more. Sponsored by Popejoy Roofing and the Shields Auto Group.

Then its On the Sidelines from 7-8. Sponsored by Angel Auto Services of Onarga, Matco Fire Protection Services of Paxton, Elite Performance-Gibson Area Hospital and The Roofing Dog

Following On the sidelines it's our WPXN Live Action Auction starting at 8am.

Saturday evening its the NASCAR Cup Series Race Cook Out 400 from Richmond Raceway.  Broadcast at 6pm

MLB

Chicago Cubs def Washington Nationals 12-6

St. Louis Cardinals def Philadelphia Phillies 7-1

Chicago White Sox def Cincinnati Reds 5-0

(Kansas City–jc)  –– Fifth year Illini goalkeeper Izzy Lee was named to the 2026 MAC-Herman Trophy Watch List. She becomes the third Illini in program history to be named to the prestigious award watchlist and first since Janelle Flaws in 2015. The Herman Trophy is presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club  and is the nation's highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year.

(Richmond–jc)  What is the fastest lane and path around Richmond Raceway? Nascar Cup Series Driver Ryan Blaney has some ideas…

Nascar Cup Series Driver Ryan Blaney

(Urbana–jc)  The University of Illinois football team is now in full preparation time for the upcoming season which starts on Thursday September 3rd at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign. University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema provides an update on the kickers…

University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema

You can hear all the Illini games live on WPXN again this year

MLB

3-oh-5pm Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals

1-10pm Cincinnati Reds at Chicago White Sox

The Cardinals have the day off before starting a weekend series against the Chicago Cubs.

MLB

Chicago Cubs def Washington Nationals 8-6

St. Louis Cardinals def Philadelphia Phillies 2-0

Cincinnati Reds def Chicago White Sox 5-4 10 innings

(Urbana–jc)  University of Illinois Football Player, Offensive lineman Brandon Henderson,  has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, released Tuesday by The Wuerffel Foundation. 

The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the National College Football Awards Association, is college football's premier award for community service.

(Richmond–jc)  It’s Richmond Raceway this weekend for the Nascar Xfinity and Cup Series. Nascar Cup Series Driver Austin Dillon says he has a good “feel” for this weekend’s track…

Nascar Cup Series Driver Austin Dillon

(Paxton–jc)  – IHSA Football is set to begin one week from Friday around the area and state. Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard says the size of P-B-L puts them in Class 2-A…

Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard

(Urbana–jc)  University of Illinois soccer returns to Demirjian Park to kick off the 20-26 season against Nationally ranked  Georgia on Thursday  evening. The match starts at 6pm. University of Illinois Women’s Soccer Coach  Katie Hultin is back for her second year at the helm after leading the team back to the NCAA Tournament in her first season last year.

MLB

5-45pm Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals

1-15pm Philadelphia Phillies at St Louis Cardinals

6-40pm Cincinnati Reds at Chicago White Sox

MLB

Philadelphia Phillies def St. Louis Cardinals 6-5

Cubs and Sox were off

(Nasscar–dm)-After Sunday’s race in Iowa, Nascar Driver Chrisopher Bell was asked if he frequently monitors the series points standings?

Nascar Driver Christopher Bell

(Urbana–jc)  The first University of Illinois Football game is set for Gies Memorial Stadium on Thursday September 3rd. University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema talks about some of the team’s offensive line…

University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema

MLB

5-45pm Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals

6-45pm Philadelphia Phillies at St Louis Cardinals

6-40pm Cincinnati Reds at Chicago White Sox

MLB

Chicago Cubs def Kansas City Royals 10-2

St. Louis Cardinals def Colorado Rockies 7-4

Chicago White Sox def Cleveland Guardians 5-3

E.I. League

The Royal Giants won a best of three series over the Paxton Swedes to become the E. I. Baseball League Champs. On Saturday Royal won in Paxton  11-5. On Sunday the Swedes won game two 11-9 in 10 innings, then Royal won game three 16-4 in five innings. 

CIFL

Flag football 

Dwight def PBL 40-34

Momence def Herscher 32-12

Mighty Mites

PBL def Dwight 13-12

GCMS def Iroquois West 19-0

Central def Watseka 32-21

Herscher def Momence 26-0

Juniors

PBL def Dwight 39-0

GCMS def Iroquois West 27-0

Central def Watseka 12-6

Momence def Herscher 31-6

Seniors

Dwight def PBL 47-18

Iroquois West def GCMS 24-22

Momence def Herscher 40-20

(Iowa–jc)    The NASCAR Cup Series returned to Iowa Speedway for its third straight sell-out & MRN had all the coverage…

Ty Gibbs held his hard-charging teammate Christopher Bell in the closing laps to secure the victory at Iowa Speedway. The Motor Racing Network will return Saturday, August 15th with coverage of the “Cook out 400” from Richmond Raceway at 6 pm ET.

MLB

6-45pm Philadelphia Phillies at St Louis Cardinals

Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox have the day off

MLB

Chicago Cubs def Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 10 innings

Red Sox def White Sox 12-11 13 innings

Cards were off

(Iowa–jc) It’s the Iowa Speedway on Sunday for the Nascar Cup Series. Nascar Cup Series Driver Michael McDowell says there is always a challenge in Iowa…

Nascar Cup Series Driver Michael McDowell

The Iowa Corn 350 airs at 1-30 Sunday afternoon here on WPXN. 

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Swedes are in the final best of 3 league tournament on Saturday and Sunday in games in Paxton and St Joseph. Paxton Swedes Manager Mark Prina says keys include using a number of pitchers and playing some small ball…

Paxton Swedes Manager Mark Prina

Game one of the tournament finals is 2pm on Saturday at Memorial Field in Paxton. 

(Champaign–jc)  – The Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced the hiring of MaKayla Gayler as the University's next Head Cheerleading Coach. In addition to leading the Fighting Illini Cheerleading program, Gayler will serve in a role within the Athletics Department in marketing and fan engagement, helping elevate the Illinois game day experience while supporting fan-focused initiatives across all sports.

MLB

Chicago Cubs at Kansas City Royals 7:10pm

Colorado Rockies at St. Louis Cardinals 7:15pm

Cleveland Guardians at Chicago White Sox 6:40pm

E. I. Baseball

Best of 3 series

Saturday 

Royal Giants at Paxton Swedes 2pm

Sunday at Royal 

Game 2 at 1pm, game 3 to follow if necessary

Saturday morning it’s the Illini Guys radio program from 6am to 7am.

Get the latest on U of I Sports and more. Sponsored by Popejoy Roofing and the Shields Auto Group

Then its On the Sidelines from 7-8. Sponsored by Angel Auto Services of Onarga, Matco Fire Protection Services of Paxton, Elite Performance-Gibson Area Hospital and The Roofing Dog

Saturday afternoon its O’Reilly Auto Parts HyVee Perks 250 from Iowa Speedway at 3-30pm.

On Sunday its the NASCAR Cup Series Race Iowa corn 350 from Iowa Speedway.  Broadcast at 1:30pm

MLB

Chicago Cubs def LA Dodgers 7-6

St. Louis Cardinals def NY Yankees 3-1

Boston Red Sox def Chicago White Sox 4-0

(Iowa–jc)  It’s Iowa City Nascar racing this weekend for both the Xfinity and Cup Series. Nascar Driver Chris Buscher says the Iowa race is unique…

Nascar Cup Series driver Chris Buscher

(Urbana–jc)  Summer is all about preparation, learning, and more for the University of Illinois Men’s Basketball Team. University of Illinois Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Underwood talks about the importance of Adam Fletcher…

University of Illinois Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Underwood

You can hear all the Illini Men’s games live on WPXN, again this year.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Seven Illinois track and field athletes are set to compete in the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon today through-Sunday . There's a good mix of athletes who competed in the Orange and Blue last season and some incoming freshmen competing on the world scale.

Current Illini competing at the World Championships are Mireya Bugeja (1500m, Malta), Pol Molins (1500m, Spain), and Siun Quinn (high jump, Ireland). Incoming Illini freshmen competing at the World Championships are Charalampos Alivizatos (high jump, Greece), Kim Beard (hammer throw, USA), Joshua Mungin (800m, Great Britain) and Godfred Opoku

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini men's golf program was recognized Wednesday by the Golf Coaches Association of America  for its success in the classroom when the organization announced its  PLATFORM Golf Team Academic Awards. The PLATFORM Golf Team Academic Awards honor programs across all collegiate levels – with a grade point average of 3 point oh or better The Fighting Illini also earned the added distinction of being one of 88 NCAA Division I programs to earn the 2025-26 Presidents Special Recognition for having a team GPA of 3.5 or better.

MLB

1-20pm Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago Cubs

6-10pm Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox

The St Louis Cardinals have the day off

MLB 

Chicago Cubs def LA Dodgers 5-1

NY Yankees def St. Louis Cardinals 2-0

Boston Red Sox def Chicago White Sox 14-2

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– Illinois sophomore forward David Mirkovic (Niksic, Montenegro) underwent successful surgery today in Indianapolis after suffering a left foot injury during a team workout in Champaign on July 31. He is expected to make a full recovery. Mirkovic averaged 13.3 points, team-leading 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. He also was selected to the NCAA South All-Region Team, helping lead the Fighting Illini to a 2026 Final Four appearance.

(Paxton–jc)  Paxton and St Joseph are the locations for the end of the year best of 3 finals for E I Baseball. Paxton Swedes Manager Mark Prina talks about preparing the team from the start of the season to get to this point…

Paxton Swedes Manager Mark Prina

(Iowa–jc)  It’s racing in Iowa for the Nascar Xfinity and Cup Series this Saturday and Sunday.Nascar Cup Series driver William Byron talks about heading back to the track where he won last year…

Nascar Cup Series driver William Byron

The Iowa 350 airs Sunday afternoon on WPXN starting at 1-30.

MLB

1-20pm L A Dodgers at Chicago Cubs

6-0h-5pm St Louis Cardinals at New York Yankees

6-10pm Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox

MLB

Chicago Cubs def LA Dodgers 10-5

St. Louis Cardinals def NY Yankees 13-7

Sox were off 

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Three Illinois soccer players, Cayla Jackson, Izzy Lee and Emma Yee were named 2026 Big Ten Soccer Players to Watch, The Big 10  conference announced, Monday. Jackson begins her junior season in 2026 after having a stellar sophomore campaign in Illinois. Lee is slated to start her fifth season in 2026 after a record-breaking season in 2025.  Yee will start her junior season in 2026 for Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Four Fighting Illini men's golfers – Max Herendeen, Trey Marrion, Freddie Turnell, and Ryan Voois – were honored as NCAA Division I Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars for the 2025-26 season. The announcement was made Monday by the Golf Coaches Association of America .

(Paxton–jc)  IHSA Football games start on August 21st. For the Panthers of Paxton Buckley Loda, the first two games are with perennial state ranked teams in Bloomington Central Catholic and St Joe Ogden, says Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard…

Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard

WPXN sports will carry the Panthers on radio for the 42nd consecutive year.

(Urbana–jc)  University of Illinois football practices began today as the team officially starts preparing for the season. University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema talks about always stepping up to the next level…

University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema

MLB

7-0h-5pm L A Dodgers at Chicago Cubs

6-0h-5pm St Louis Cardinals at New York Yankees

6-10-pm Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox

MLB

NY Yankees def Chicago Cubs 2-1

St. Louis Cardinals def Toronto Blue Jays 5-1

Chicago White Sox def Tampa Bay Rays 9-1

E. I. Baseball

In Paxton, the Paxton Swedes defeated the Buckley Dutchmasters 4-0.

At the Rantoul Sports Complex the White Heath Warriors beat Arcola 9 to 5 in the first game. The Royal Giants came from behind against the Warriors in game two to win 5 to 4. Royal and Paxton will play for the Championship. 

The Three game series starts in Paxton on Saturday afternoon at 2pm

The Illinois football team begins Training Camp practices today at Gies Memorial Stadium. The Illini have their first game of the season on September 3rd in Champaign against the University of Alabama-Birmingham

WPXN will have all the games live with the network starting at 7pm on September third

(Urbana–jc)  With the University of Illinois football team starting practices today and continuing to prepare for the upcoming season, how can the Illini get to another nine plus win season. University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema says one way is winning away from Gies Memorial Stadium…

University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Swedes beat the Buckley Dutchmasters on Sunday in the E I Baseball semi finals in Paxton. The Swedes scored four runs in one inning. Paxton Swedes Manager Mark Prina talks about their “big hit” to gain the advantage to get the win…

Paxton Swedes Manager Mark Prina

MLB

7-oh-5pm L A Dodgers at Chicago Cubs

6-0h-5pm St Louis Cardinals at New York Yankees

Chicago White Sox have the day off

MLB

Chicago Cubs def St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 10 innings

Chicago White Sox def NY Yankees 2-1 11 innings

(Chicago–jc)  What are the positives of one major college sports program's success helping another. That was a question asked of University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema at media days in Chicago…

University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema

(Paxton–jc)  The start of the  E I wood bat baseball league post season tournament starts on Sunday in St Joseph and Paxton. Paxton Swedes Manager Mark Prina has praise for league batting champion Dalton Busboom…

Paxton Swedes Manager Mark Prina

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For the third consecutive year, Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema, his wife Jen, and the Illinois football team have launched the FamILLy First Backpack and School Supply Drive in conjunction with Busey Bank FamILLy Movie Night. The Bielema family has kicked off the drive by donating the first 150 backpacks to Champaign-Urbana schools. Fighting Illini fans can get involved by donating school supplies during Illinois' FamILLy Movie Night on Saturday, Aug. 8 at Gies Memorial Stadium. For every one school supply donated, fans will receive a free popcorn to enjoy during the movie (first 150 donations, limit two per family). 

Gates open for FamILLy Movie Night starts on Aug. 8 at 5:15 p.m. 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini women's tennis head coach Elizabeth Lumpkin Robinson has announced the addition of associate head coach Calvin Song to the program. Song arrives at Illinois from Drake, where he was the Bulldogs' head coach for the last two seasons.

Song capped his two seasons at Drake by leading the fifth-seeded Bulldogs to two upset wins in the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament for an appearance in the championship match. 

E I Baseball Tournament this weekend

Semi Finals on Sunday August 2

@ Royal (Meier Field, St. Joseph, IL)

                         - 12:00 p.m. Arcola (5) v. White Heath (4)

                        - 3:00 p.m. Winner Game 1 vs. Royal (1)

@Paxton (Memorial Field, Paxton, IL)

-    2:00 p.m. Paxton vs. Buckley (note change from Sunday's email)

LEAGUE AWARDS:

Ralph Loschen Award -

       "Most Outstanding Player" –  Blake Hoveln (Royal Giants)

Virgil Scheiwe Award - 

       "Most Outstanding Pitcher" – Braden Roesch (Buckley Dutchmasters) 

Dick Franzen Award - 

      Batting Champion – Dalton Busboom (Paxton Swedes) – Avg:  .459

MLB

1-20pm New York Yankees at Chicago Cubs

6-ooh-7pm St Louis Cardinals at Toronto Blue Jays

6-10pm Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays

Saturday morning it’s the Illini Guys radio program from 6am to 7am. Get the latest on U of I Sports and more. Sponsored by Popejoy Roofing and the Shields Auto Group.

Then its On the Sidelines from 7-8. Sponsored by Angel Auto Services of Onarga, Matco Fire Protection Services of Paxton, Elite Performance-Gibson Area Hospital and The Roofing Dog

Following On the sidelines it's our WPXN Live Action Auction starting at 8am.

The Nascar Cup and Xfinity series have the weekend off.

MLB

St. Louis Cardinals def Chicago Cubs 3-2 10 innings

Chicago White Sox def NY Yankees 6-5 12 innings

(Rantoul–jc)  – The E I Baseball Post Season tournament schedule and  regular season awards were discussed at their meeting last night in Rantoul. WPXN”s Joel Cluver has the story…

(Paxton–jc)  The 20-26 version of the Paxton Buckley Loda Panther football team is again part of the Illini Prairie Conference. Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard says the Panthers will battle in a conference full of 3-A and 4-A teams…

Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard

WPXN will be carrying the Panthers on radio for the 42nd consecutive year starting on August 21st at Bloomington Central Catholic.

(Urbana–jc)  With a great core of talent coming back to the University of Illinois basketball program, recruiting still takes a major role, especially this time of year. University of Illinois Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Underwood takes a look at the current recruiting process…

University of Illinois Men’s Basketball coach Brad Underwood

MLB

1-15pm Chicago Cubs at St Louis Cardinals

1-10pm New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox

MLB

Chicago Cubs def st. Louis Cardinals 10-2

NY Yankees def Chicago White Sox 3-2

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois football season tickets are sold out for the upcoming 2026 campaign, marking the second consecutive season that all Gies Memorial Stadium public season ticket inventory has been sold out. Fans can purchase mini plans and single-game tickets at FightingIllini.com/tickets.

(Urbana–jc)  Summer for the University of Illinois Basketball team is busy with family, training and preparation. University of Illinois Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Underwood talks about several players moving on to play at the next level and also the anticipation of those on this year’s team …

University of Illinois Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Underwood

(CHicago–jc)  It’s Big 10 football media days in Chicago. The look at the teams began on Tuesday morning. University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema was eager to talk about his new quarterback in Katin Houser…

Coach Bielema took a quick look at this year’s 12 game schedule…

University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema

You can hear all the Illini football games on WPXN starting with a home Thursday night game on September 3rd.

MLB

6-45pm Chicago Cubs at St Louis Cardinals

6-40pm New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox

MLB

Chicago Cubs def St. Louis Cardinals 7-3

NY Yankees def Chicago White Sox 9-5

(Paxton–jc)  The way the calendar works this year, there will be two August IHSA Football Fridays. With the IHSA Rules of summer contact days, the Paxton Buckley Loda Panthers are lifting and getting ready for August and fall, says Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard…

Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard

(Urbana–jc)  – The University of Illinois Men’s basketball team is taking shape after a final 4 run this past season. University of Illinois men’s Basketball coach Brad Underwood says the summer has been good so far…

University of Illinois Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Underwood

(Chicago–jc)  It’s Big 10 media days starting today in Chicago. The Illinois football program's representatives at Big Ten Media Days are ready to kick things off in the windy city. DB Matthew Bailey, DB Juice Clarke, QB Katin Houser, and head coach Bret Bielema will have the spotlight today, as Illinois is featured on Day 1 of Media Days with five other programs.

MLB

6-45pm Chicago Cubs at St Louis Cardinals

6-40pm New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox

MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates def Chicago Cubs 8-7

Cincinnati Reds def St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 10 innings

Chicago White Sox def Houston Astros 12-3

E I Baseball

Saturday

Royal Giants def Buckley Dutchmasters 7-3

Paxton Swedes def White Heath Warriors 13-6

Sunday

Royal Giants def Buckley Dutchmasters 10-0 and 8-4

Paxton Swedes def White Heath Warriors 11-0 and 7-4

Tournament  Sunday Aug 2nd

At Meier Field St. Joseph

Game 1 noon (4)White Heath vs (5)Arcola

Game 2 3pm (1)Royal vs Winner of game 1

At Memorial field in Paxton

1pm (2)Paxton vs (3)Buckley

NASCAR

Corey Heim made a daring outside move to pass Denny Hamlin on the final restart with 35 laps to go, then held off hard charging Christopher Bell and Joey Logano to capture the Brickyard 500. 

Lakeview Club Championship 

Jimmy Brandt Jr. won the men’s Championship

Sara Burch won the women’s Championship

Steve Hamrick won the senior men’s Championship

Becky Prina won the senior women’s Championship 

630am

(Rantoul–jc)  Five teams competed in the Central Illinois Swim Conference Meet on Saturday at the Hap Parker Pool in Rantoul. The Milford Dolphins won the meet with 436 points. The Rantoul Hurricanes finished 2nd with 258 and the Paxton Pirates finished in 3rd place followed by Gibson City and Hoopeston

The Paxton Lady Pirates finished in a close second to Milford with Milford scoring 178 and Paxton 170

(Paxton–jc)  Although Summer time is here, I H S A Football begins in August and with the new schedule, most teams will play two games in the initial month of the school year. Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard talks about summer practice and lifting…

Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard

WPXN Sports will carry the Panthers football games for the 42nd consecutive year, starting in August

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Park District Pirates ended the season with the Central Illinois Conference Swim Meet at the Hap Parker Pool in Rantoul on Saturday.  Paxton Park District Swim Team Coach Kallie Yeary says this year’s version of the Pirates consisted of over 60 kids…

Paxton Park District Swim Team Coach Kallie Yeary

MLB

6-45pm Chicago Cubs at St Louis Cardinals

6-40pm New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox

MLB

Arizona Diamondbacks def St. Louis Cardinals 10-6

Cubs and Sox were off

(Indianapolis–jc)  It’s the Brickyard 400 on Sunday in Indianapolis. Nascar Cup Driver Joey Logano says the racing will be very “aggressive”...

Nascar Cup Series Driver Joey Logano

The race airs live at noon on Sunday, on WPXN.

(Buckley–jc)  The 20-26 E I Baseball wood bat league regular season is winding down for the year. This is the final weekend of regular season play. E I Baseball spokesperson Trent Eshleman takes a look at the bats used in the league…

E I Baseball Spokesperson Trent Eshleman

MLB

5-40pm Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates

7-15pm Cincinnati Reds at St Louis Cardinals

6-40pm Houston Astros at Chicago White Sox

E. I. Baseball

Saturday Make up games

Buckley Dutchmasters vs Royal Giants at Meier Field in St. Joseph Noon

Paxton Swedes vs White Heath Warriors at Meier Field 2:30pm

Sunday

Final Regular season games

Buckley Dutchmasters vs Royal Giants at Scheiwe Field in Buckley

Paxton Swedes vs White Heath Warriors Monticello High School

Double headers begin at 1pm

Saturday morning on WPXN it’s the Illini Guys radio program from 6am to 7am. Hear the latest on U of I Sports and more. Sponsored by Popejoy Roofing and the Shields Auto Group

Then its On the Sidelines from 7-8. Sponsored by Angel Auto Services of Onarga, Matco Fire Protection Services of Paxton, Elite Performance-Gibson Area Hospital and The Roofing Dog

Saturday afternoon its NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race with the Pennzoil 250 from Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 2pm

On Sunday its the NASCAR Cup Series Race Brickyard 400 from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Broadcast at noon.

MLB

Detroit Tigers def Chicago Cubs 5-1

St. Louis Cardinals def LA Angels 1-0

Chicago White Sox def Texas Rangers 4-2

(Indianapolis–jc)  It’s the Brickyard 400 on Sunday in Indianapolis. Nascar Cup Driver Chase Briscoe looks  at the importance of winning the “brickyard”...

Nascar Cup Series Driver Chase Brisco

You can hear the race on Sunday here on WPXN starting at noon 

(Urbana–jc)  In the world of N-I-L money, collegiate programs look to make the proper moves to keep their students engaged with academics and sports. University of Illinois football Coach Bret Bielema talks about navigating name-image-and likeness…

University of Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema

You can hear all the Illini football games live on WPXN starting on September 3rd.

MLB

Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox have the day off

4-15pm Arizona Diamondbacks at St Louis Cardinals

MLB

Chicago Cubs def Detroit Tigers 11-2

LA Angels def St. Louis Cardinals 5-1

Texas Rangers def Chicago White Sox 10-0

(Indianapolis–jc)  It’s the Brickyard 400 on Sunday at nearby Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Nascar Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney talks about the pressure to win in Indianapolis…

Nascar Cup Series Driver Ryan Blaney. The race airs live on WPXN this Sunday at noon. 

(Paxton–jc)  Summer vacation time is spent in the weight room and more for area I H S A Football players. Paxton Buckley Loda Football Coach Josh Pritchard says the team is committing to football all year long…

Paxton Buckley Loda Head Football coach Josh Pritchard.

WPXN will be carrying the PBL football games for its 42nd year, starting next month. 

MLB

7-10pm Detroit Tigers at Chicago Cubs

3-07pm St Louis Cardinals at L A Angels

7-05pm Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers

MLB

Detroit Tigers def Chicago Cubs 8-6 10 innings

LA Angels def St. Louis Cardinals 3-2

Chicago White Sox def Texas Rangers 10-3

(Urbana–jc)  Single-game tickets for the 2026 Fighting Illini football season will go on sale to the general public on Thursday at noon. Currently an I FUND presale period is going on today through Wednesday.

(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Swedes were close to a season sweep against the Buckley Dutchmasters with a pair of games on Sunday. The two teams each won a game in exciting fashion yesterday with the Swedes winning the first game 6 to5 and the Dutchmasters winning the night cap 4 to 2. Paxton Swedes Manager Mark Prina says as the team continues to win, the fan base is there…

Paxton Swedes Manager Mark Prina

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois senior offensive lineman Brandon Henderson and Fighting Illini football head coach Bret Bielema are among the nominees announced by the American Football Coaches Association  for recognition on the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Nominees are determined based on their exemplary record of community service and impact on and off the field. Student-athletes must also show a strong academic dedication.   The 2026 list of standouts includes 162 student-athletes and 13 head coaches

MLB

7-oh-5pm Detroit Tigers at Chicago Cubs

8-38-pm St Louis Cardinals at L A Angels

7-oh-5pm Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers

MLB 

Chicago Cubs def Minnesota Twins 10-1

Arizona Diamondbacks def St. Louis Cardinals 8-7 10 innings

Chicago White Sox def Toronto Blue Jays 3-0

E I Baseball

Paxton Swedes and Buckley Dutchmasters split a double header with Paxton winning the first game 6-5 in 11 innings and Buckley winning the second 4-2

NASCAR

Joey Logano held off Denny Hamlin for his first victory of the season. Logano led 323 of the 450 laps. Chase Briscoe finished third, followed by Ty Gibbs and Shane Van Gisbergen.  

F I F A
Spain won the F I FA World Cup Soccer match over Argentina 1 to nothing.

MLB

7-oh-5pm Detroit Tigers at Chicago Cubs

9-10pm St Louis Cardinals at L A Angels

7-05pm Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers