Press Room

Close up image of the front of a shiny blue hot rod car parked on a street in ChampaignPress & News 

Stay tuned for the upcoming news about what's happening in the greater Champaign-Urbana area!

2026

June 10 — IHSA Boys 1A & 2A State Baseball Tournament Set to Compete at Illinois Field

Eight teams from around the state will compete in the semifinal round on Friday, June 12, followed by the championship games on Saturday, June 13. LEARN MORE.

June 8 — 6000 cars anticipated at HOT ROD POWER Tour in Rantoul

The HOT ROD Power Tour returns to Champaign County for the fifth time as it rolls into the Rantoul National Aviation Center on Tuesday, June 9, bringing an anticipated 6,000 cars. LEARN MORE.

March 10—IHSA Boys State Basketball Tournament Set to Play at State Farm Center

Over 34,000 fans are expected to attend the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Boys State Basketball Tournament at the State Farm Center in Champaign, March 12–14. LEARN MORE.

March 3—Sport Inspired by Quidditch Hosts National Qualifier in Rantoul

Quadball, the real-life sport inspired by the magical game of Quidditch, is hosting a national qualifier for the second time in Rantoul. LEARN MORE.

February 23—Experience Champaign-Urbana Foundation Announces Call for Nominations for Brilliant Spirit Awards

The Experience Champaign-Urbana Foundation will honor community champions at their annual Toast to Tourism: Celebrating Community Brilliance on Wednesday, May 6, at Carmon's, held during National Travel and Tourism Week, May 3–9. LEARN MORE.

February 18—IHSA State Wrestling Championships Brings Excitement and Impact to Champaign-Urbana

High school wrestlers across the state will head to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Wrestling Individual State Championships, February 19–21, at the State Farm Center. LEARN MORE.

January 14—Film Industry Generated Significant Impact for Champaign County Region in 2025

Film production proved to be a powerful economic driver for Champaign County and the surrounding region, generating millions in local spending, supporting jobs, and strengthening Illinois' creative economy, according to new 2025 economic impact data released by Film Champaign-Urbana. LEARN MORE.

January 8—Champaign-Urbana Area Restaurant Week Celebrates 10 Years

Experience Champaign-Urbana will host their 10th Annual Champaign-Urbana Area Restaurant Week, presented by the University of Illinois Community Credit Union, January 30–February 7. LEARN MORE.

2025

Enhanced IL Film Tax Credit Positions Champaign County for Increased Film & Television Production

HOT ROD Power Tour Returns to Champaign County for Fifth Visit

Football Championships Set to Thrill Fans in Champaign County

Dedication of the Musician Tribute Wall to be Held at Skelton Park

Milestones in African American Healthcare to be Recognized with New Sign on the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail

Beep Baseball to Hold Annual Tournament for Visually-Impaired in Savoy

Soccer Wars Set for Rantoul Family Sports Complex in July

CU on the Trail Passport Launches, Highlighting Hiking Trails Across Central Illinois

IHSA Boys State Basketball Tournament Set to Play at State Farm Center

IHSA State Wrestling Championships Continue to Generate Significant Impact

First Community Bus Tour Launched for Champaign County African American Heritage Trail

Champaign-Urbana Area Restaurant Week Returns for Ninth Year with Record Participation

CU Mocktail Trail Launches, Highlighting Crafted Alcohol-Free Beverages

2024

Sport Inspired by Quidditch Hosts National Qualifier in Champaign County

Champaign-Made Holiday Films Available to Stream

Champaign-Made Halloween Season Films Available to Stream

Black Businesses in Urbana to Be Recognized with New Sign on the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail

Champaign County African American Heritage Trail Unveils New Signs in Douglass Park and Savoy

Film Champaign-Urbana to Host Workshop for Local Artists

Economic Impact Data Shows Increased Local Impact of Travel & Tourism to Champaign-Urbana Area

Champaign County African American Heritage Trail Murals Underway

Beep Baseball to Hold Annual Tournament for Visually-Impaired in Savoy

Experience Champaign-Urbana Foundation to Honor Local Tourism Trailblazers at Annual Toast to Tourism

Art in CU Passport Launches Showcasing Local Public Art

Middle School Basketball Championships Set to Make Large Impact in Champaign-Urbana Area

IHSA Boys State Basketball Tournament Returns to State Farm Center

Grant Awarded Champaign County Film Studio to Build Soundstage

Film Champaign-Urbana to Host Workshop on Becoming a Film Location

Champaign-Urbana Area Restaurant Week Returns for Eighth Year with Highest Participation to Date

2023

Sport Inspired by Quidditch Hosts National Qualifier in Champaign County

Economic Impact Data Shows Record Highs for Travel & Tourism to Champaign-Urbana Area

Experience Champaign-Urbana Launches Accessible CU, a New Resource Highlighting Accessible Attributes of Area Hospitality Businesses

Champaign County & Chicago Indie Film You're Out! Premiers at Savoy 16

Asian Culinary Trail Pass Launches to Promote Champaign-Urbana's Culinary Scene

D1 Nation Football to Make Big Impact in Rantoul

Visit Champaign County Foundation to Honor Local Tourism Trailblazers at Annual Toast to Tourism

Paxton Partners with Visit Champaign County to Promote Tourism

Champaign County Launches First-of-Its-Kind "Community Job Application"

Middle School Basketball Championships Return to Champaign-Urbana

IHSA Boys State Basketball Tournament Back for Year Two in Champaign

Wrestlers Set to Make an Impact at IHSA State Wrestling Championships

US Quadball Midwest Regional Coming to Rantoul Family Sports Complex

Champaign County Area Restaurant Week Returns for Seventh Year

2022

IHSA State Football Championships Departs Memorial Stadium

Economic Impact Data Shows Rebound in Travel & Tourism

New Podcast Launches Promoting Community Pride in the Champaign-Urbana Area

New Chambana Proud Tee Asks Residents to Pick “Champaign-Urbana” or “Urbana-Champaign”

Visit Champaign County Launches Retail Space

Football and Softball to Take Over Rantoul This Weekend

Visit Champaign County to Sponsor 3rd Annual AJGA Junior All-Star at Urbana

Visit Champaign County Foundation to Honor Local Hospitality Leaders at Annual Toast to Tourism

Beep Baseball to Hold Second Annual Tournament for Visually-Impaired in Savoy

New Downtown Champaign Mural Highlights Native Plants & Wildlife 

Visit Champaign County Celebrates the Future of Travel During National Travel & Tourism Week

New Residents Invited to Network at Inaugural New to CU Mixer

Arrowhead Lanes Set to Host Teen MastersTM Champaign Open

Middle School Basketball Championships Bringing More Business to Champaign County

IHSA Boys State Basketball Tournament Set to Make Big Impact in Champaign

Wrestlers Return to State Farm Center for IHSA State Wrestling Championships

Champaign County Area Restaurant Week Returns with In-Person and Takeout Dining

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