In Jacksonville, sports aren’t just a summer pastime — they’re a year-round affair. While the high temps of summer are waning, the competitive spirit is just heating up in Central Illinois. Cheer from the bleachers or get in the game yourself — check out some of the best ways to enjoy fall sports in Jacksonville along with some helpful ways to rest and recharge during your stay.
Where to Watch
Cheer on the Blueboys and Lady Blues at Illinois College! Competing in Midwest Conference in NCAA Division-III, Blueboys football takes the field at England Stadium on the IC campus, making for a fantastic way to spend a crisp Saturday afternoon! Additionally, the Lady Blues volleyball team serves up high-flying, hard-hitting action at Sherman Gymnasium; catch every bump, set, and spike this fall!
Local high schools also provide plenty of excitement this autumn, whether it’s under the Friday night lights or under the gymnasium roof. Jacksonville High School and Routt Catholic both field IHSA football teams each week, and both schools along with Illinois School for the Deaf also compete in girls volleyball. Additionally, all three schools compete in boys soccer each fall, giving fans plenty of chances to cheer the Crimsons, Rockets, and Tigers to victory!
Where to Play
More of a player than a spectator? Get your game on at the outstanding athletic venues around Jacksonville! Opened in 2023, the state-of-the-art turf fields at Future Champions Sports Complex cater to baseball and softball players of all skill levels. Six diamonds offer the perfect playing surface for your future all-stars, while the complex’s onsite eatery soars above and beyond your typical concession stand with a menu of delicious meals to enjoy before, during, and after the game.
On the former MacMurray College campus, Midwest Athletic Center provides a fantastic space for indoor sports like basketball, volleyball, and wrestling. The gym provides an outstanding venue for youth and adult leagues alike but can also be rented at hourly and weekend rates. Book this historic facility for your team’s next practice, tournament, or camp!
Roll down to Nichols Park and enjoy some blade-slashing, stick-smashing good times at the Eric Olson Memorial Roller Hockey Rink! Hockey players will enjoy this all-season rink that provides a perfect venue to work on wristers and one-timers — or enjoy a little friendly competition!
Bring your clubs — Jacksonville is also home to three extraordinary golf courses that provide a challenge even as the temperatures drop. Before the bitter chill of winter keeps you indoors for the season, play a few more rounds at Jacksonville Country Club, The Links at Nichols Park, and K’s Creek. Additionally, the Foreman Park Disc Golf Course provides a beautiful setting to grip and rip set against a wooded backdrop.
Where to Eat
No matter if you’re up in the stands or down on the field, one thing’s for sure: All this action is going to work up an appetite. Thankfully, Jacksonville delivers with a fantastic menu of lunch and dinner options around town.
Want to stay close to our historic Downtown? Several diners and eateries are located within walking distance of the Central Park square. Grab a burrito as big as your head and a fresh-squeezed smoothie from KJB’s Pinthaus. Share a pie or savor Italian cuisine at Leo’s Pizza on smokey and tangy ribs, brisket, and pulled pork at My Buddy’s BBQ. Make your connection for delicious, American fare sourced from local ingredients at Proud Richard’s. And share a wood-fired pizza while you sip a hand-crafted cocktail from The Little Stove.
In addition to some familiar chain restaurants, Morton Avenue is also home to some delicious, local flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Split a tavern-style pizza — or nosh on wings and toasted ravs — at Barney’s Pizza & Pub. Enjoy the taste of a simpler time with a delicious smashburger from BurgerBoard. And grab some south-of-the-border flavors at Little Mexico.
Where to Stay
Need a place to recharge? Jacksonville is home to several hotels under familiar brands, including Best Western, Hampton Inn, Knights Inn, and Super 8.
But if you’re looking for something with a homier feel and that classic Midwestern hospitality, book a stay in one of our local bed-and-breakfasts. Perfect for a romantic retreat or just a weekend getaway, Blessings on State offers two bedroom suites in a gorgeous, 1890 Victorian Manor. Just up the road, Villa DeWolf boasts five guest suites within a stately, 1857 Italianate manor.
Numerous short-term rentals around Jacksonville invite guests to make themselves at home in comfortable, modern, private spaces. Book a space that suits your trip, from refurbished downtown lofts to rustic cabins — all perfect spaces to recharge and get back in the game the next day.
Ready to play ball? Learn more about sports in Jacksonville and plan your trip today!