ILLINOIS - The Illinois Fighting Illini have canceled two games college football games scheduled against the Missouri Tigers in the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

University of Illinois leaders formally announced the decision Tuesday. Illinois will instead play the University of Notre Dame in a home-and-home set during the next two college football seasons.

Illinois will play in South Bend on Sept. 4, 2027, then host the Fighting Irish on Sept. 2, 2028 in Champaign.

"This is a series I have wanted to get on the football schedule since I arrived in 2016," said Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman via Tuesday's announcement. "It has been too long since these two tradition-rich programs have met, given our proximity, common values, and deep roots in Chicago and throughout the Midwest. We expect to see a lot of Orange and Blue next year in South Bend and believe the 2028 matchup in Champaign will be one of our most anticipated home games in decades."

Mizzou officials criticized the decision, sharing the following statement with St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Eli Hoff, on behalf of Athletic Director Laird Veetch.

“We are disappointed by Illinois' decision to withdraw from multiple future football games, including a home game for Mizzou in 2027. We are exploring all available options to address this matter.”

While Mizzou and Illinois are more known for their college basketball rivalry, with the near-annual Braggin Rights' matchup, the two schools have not met on the gridiron since 2010. Mizzou leads the all-time football series, which dates back to 1896, with 17 wins in 24 games.