American Youth Football Tournament

Where to stay

These are the hotels offering special discounts—please reserve your room by the listed cutoff date.

Where to eat

From comfort food to international flavors, Champaign-Urbana has something for every craving (plus vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options!).

Watson’s Shack & Rail serves up legendary Nashville hot chicken and indulgent comfort food (pro tip: go for the chicken and waffles!). Craving a great burger? Flavor Fusion in downtown Rantoul, as well as Farren’s and Smith Burger Co. all offer can’t-miss selections. If sliders and shareable bites are more your thing, Seven Saints and Aspen Tap House are the places to go, while Baldarotta’s Porketta & Sicilian Sausage serves up some of the best sandwiches around.

Pizza lovers have options, too! Try your hand at bowling and some of the best wood-fire pizza at Old Orchard Lanes & Links in Savoy, while Jupiter’s at the Crossing in serves up thin-crust pies with creative toppings—perfect for large crowds as you challenge your friends at skee-ball!

If your taste buds are ready to tour the world, check out the Laotian and Thai cuisine at Sticky Rice, Zambian fare at Stango Cuisine, Indian comfort food at Kohinoor, fresh soul food at Neil Street Blues, authentic Mexican at Maize Mexican Grill, Carolina-style barbecue at Black Dog Smoke & Ale House and Po'Boys Restaurant, and Japanese fusion at Tenkyu.

And if you still can’t decide? Head to downtown Urbana—The Yard on Broadway features six locally owned eateries (tacos, burgers, southern, pizza, grinders, ice cream, and more), yard games, and an arcade!

When you need a pick-me-up, stop by Kino’s Coffee in downtown Rantoul or Mad Goat Coffee in downtown Champaign—both serve up serious brews, while Suzu’s Bakery offers delectable Japanese pastries.

What to do

Looking for some fun during your time between games? Whether you're bouncing into action at Elevate Trampoline Park, hitting the rink at Skateland, or challenging your friends to an epic laser tag battle, there's no shortage of excitement in Champaign-Urbana!

CU Adventures in Time & Space 
302 N. Broadway Ave., Urbana
Reserve in advance using this form
Encounter different worlds like an enchanted forest, an alien spaceship, or a haunted cabin. CU Adventures' award-winning rooms range in difficulty from beginner-friendly challenges to intense  puzzles that'll leave even veteran escape artists scratching their heads!

Salt Fork Paintball
Century Blvd., Rantoul
Located on the former Chanute Air Force Base, this sprawling outdoor paintball park lets you dodge behind hay bales and storm bunkers while you plan your next winning strategy!

Elevate Trampoline Park
707 N. Country Fair Dr., Champaign
Reserve online or pay at the door
Imagine wall-to-wall trampolines with a zip line, dodgeball, volleyball, basketball, and an open jumping area. If you have energy left over, Elevate is a must-stop!

Skateland 
208 Curtis Rd., Savoy
Hours vary; pay at the door
Skateland brings back the retro with disco balls and plenty of neon! Along with their open skating area (skates available to rent), you can also play laser tag and arcade games.

Horizon Climbing
1914 Round Barn Rd., Champaign
New to the scene, this women-owned, inclusive bouldering gym offers a variety of rock-climbing walls and climbing courses suitable for all ages!

Need more ideas?

Check out our Family Downtime Guide!