Southern Illinoise University Athletics
FanFest Brings Saluki Excitement on August 19
08/11/2026 | 8:18:00 | General
CARBONDALE, Ill. – SIU Athletics will kick off the 2026-27 athletic season with an expanded Saluki FanFest on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Saluki Stadium.
The free, public event begins at 6 p.m. and will feature more teams, more activities, and a football season ticket pick-up party as the Salukis prepare for another exciting year of competition. Prairie Farms will also be on the sidelines handing out free ice cream!
Join members of the Saluki Football team, Saluki Men's & Women's Basketball teams, Saluki Volleyball, Saluki Softball, Saluki Baseball and more! Kids will be able to play catch with football, baseball, and softball. Jump in the bounce house and participate in pop-a-shot with basketball. Take some swings with baseball and softball and bump and pass with volleyball.
Kids are encouraged to bring their own footballs and baseball/softball gloves to play catch with Saluki athletes.
FanFest gives Saluki fans of all ages the opportunity to meet student-athletes and coaches, collect autographs, take photos, and celebrate the start of a new athletic season. This year's event will feature increased participation from SIU programs and additional family-friendly activities throughout the evening.
Scavenger Hunt
Upon entering FanFest, kids will be presented with a blank SIU ticket. Their task? Visit every team on the football field and get a sticker. Return with a ticket full of stickers and receive a free real ticket to the Saluki Football game on October 3 against Youngstown State for Southern Illinois Day.
Saluki Football season ticket holders will be able to pick up season parking passes and other materials and prepare for the upcoming season. Select seats will be highlight for sale during the event for those still in the market!
Season tickets for SIU Football and Men's Basketball will be on sale, focusing on two of the best deals for each season — football's Season Family Four Pack and basketball's $99 season ticket.
Saluki Football, Family Four Pack: Get four tickets in sections 12-16 for each Saluki Football game for just $50 a piece. That's $10 per ticket, per game. Bring the family, enjoy the games, and get the best deal in the house! Get your Family Four Pack today! Click here and choose seats in sections 12-16. Fans can also buy other season tickets at normal rates by clicking here.
Saluki Men's Basketball, $99 Season Tickets: Lock in your season tickets for Saluki Men's Basketball at the incredibly low price of $99 per ticket. At about $6 per home game, you get to see the Dawgs take on SEMO, Washington State, Portland State, Maryville, and Richmond, plus each MVC foe throughout the season. As a bonus, season ticket holder receive free admission to the two home exhibitions games against Lindenwood and Tennessee Tech. Don't forget that when you buy season tickets to SIU Men's Basketball, you're automatically entered into our weekly "Live With Luke" raffles. You can buy season tickets any time by clicking here.
For more information about these ticket deals and more, call 618-453-2000 or email tickets@siu.edu.
Saluki FanFest 2026
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 19
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Saluki Stadium
Admission: Free and open to the public
The free, public event begins at 6 p.m. and will feature more teams, more activities, and a football season ticket pick-up party as the Salukis prepare for another exciting year of competition. Prairie Farms will also be on the sidelines handing out free ice cream!
Join members of the Saluki Football team, Saluki Men's & Women's Basketball teams, Saluki Volleyball, Saluki Softball, Saluki Baseball and more! Kids will be able to play catch with football, baseball, and softball. Jump in the bounce house and participate in pop-a-shot with basketball. Take some swings with baseball and softball and bump and pass with volleyball.
Kids are encouraged to bring their own footballs and baseball/softball gloves to play catch with Saluki athletes.
FanFest gives Saluki fans of all ages the opportunity to meet student-athletes and coaches, collect autographs, take photos, and celebrate the start of a new athletic season. This year's event will feature increased participation from SIU programs and additional family-friendly activities throughout the evening.
Scavenger Hunt
Upon entering FanFest, kids will be presented with a blank SIU ticket. Their task? Visit every team on the football field and get a sticker. Return with a ticket full of stickers and receive a free real ticket to the Saluki Football game on October 3 against Youngstown State for Southern Illinois Day.
Saluki Football season ticket holders will be able to pick up season parking passes and other materials and prepare for the upcoming season. Select seats will be highlight for sale during the event for those still in the market!
Season tickets for SIU Football and Men's Basketball will be on sale, focusing on two of the best deals for each season — football's Season Family Four Pack and basketball's $99 season ticket.
Saluki Football, Family Four Pack: Get four tickets in sections 12-16 for each Saluki Football game for just $50 a piece. That's $10 per ticket, per game. Bring the family, enjoy the games, and get the best deal in the house! Get your Family Four Pack today! Click here and choose seats in sections 12-16. Fans can also buy other season tickets at normal rates by clicking here.
Saluki Men's Basketball, $99 Season Tickets: Lock in your season tickets for Saluki Men's Basketball at the incredibly low price of $99 per ticket. At about $6 per home game, you get to see the Dawgs take on SEMO, Washington State, Portland State, Maryville, and Richmond, plus each MVC foe throughout the season. As a bonus, season ticket holder receive free admission to the two home exhibitions games against Lindenwood and Tennessee Tech. Don't forget that when you buy season tickets to SIU Men's Basketball, you're automatically entered into our weekly "Live With Luke" raffles. You can buy season tickets any time by clicking here.
For more information about these ticket deals and more, call 618-453-2000 or email tickets@siu.edu.
Saluki FanFest 2026
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 19
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Saluki Stadium
Admission: Free and open to the public
Tuesday, October 15
Tuesday, October 15
Tuesday, October 15
Tuesday, October 15