DeKALB, Ill.  – Every Northern Illinois University 2023 football game day will once again be a celebration, beginning when tailgate lots open five hours before kickoff to non-stop pregame activity in The Yard, all building up to kickoff and the excitement of Huskie Football action. Giveaways and contests, halftime shows and special guests, ticket promotions and more are all in store for fans this year at Huskie Stadium.
 
The fun begins with the 2023 home opener on Saturday, September 9 when the Southern Illinois Salukis come to DeKalb for the first time since 2007.  The Band Day game will feature more than 1200 high school band members, in addition to the Huskie Marching Band, on the field at halftime. Members of the very first NIU team to win a MAC Championship, the 1983 Huskies, will be on hand to celebrate their 40th anniversary season and legendary Voice of the Huskies Bill Baker will be honored at halftime as he wraps up a 44-year career behind the mic for NIU. The first 500 fans will receive Huskie branded socks, courtesy of First State Bank. Opening day in The Yard features the band Whiskey Romance as well as sponsor tents, food and drink available for purchase, a pregame pep rally with the band, Silverettes and cheerleaders, and more.
 
NIU returns to Huskie Stadium on Saturday, September 23 versus Tulsa with Family Weekend, Scout Day and Pup Club Day. The Huskies will also participate in the CFP's Xtra Yard for Teachers promotion honoring elementary, middle and high school teachers. There will be 3,000 leather koozies available to fans, provided by FNBO.
 
The Huskies will join in the celebration of Northern Illinois University's 116th Homecoming on Saturday, October 14 versus Ohio with a 2:30 pm kickoff at Huskie Stadium.  Annually one of the most well-attended games on the schedule, there will be a full complement of activities in The Yard, with the band AudioDrive providing entertainment, and the first 1,000 fans in the stadium will receive a red Huskie jersey, sponsored by Old National Bank.
 
The Yard will also be the place to be prior to NIU's game versus Eastern Michigan on Saturday, October 21 with DeKalb County and Ag Day displays, with ticket promotions and group opportunities available. That game also will be Youth Sports Day with local teams and leagues invited to enjoy the game and receive scoreboard recognition.
 
When the calendar turns to November, NIU football turns to #MACtion, one of the most exciting times of the year with national television exposure and a spot in the Mid-American Conference Championship game up for grabs.  The Huskies close out the home schedule with back-to-back #MACtion games versus MAC West opponents on Tuesday, November 7 and Tuesday, November 14. The November 7 game will feature a Salute to Service as well as recognition of local First Responders. On November 14, NIU will honor its 2023 seniors with the game also designated as a "Red Out" with fans encouraged to wear red. 
 
With many of the 2023 game day promotions centered around honoring and inviting members of specific groups to Huskie games, including scouts, teachers, alumni, DeKalb County residents, youth sports teams and coaches, first responders, service men and women and more, NIU Athletics offers group ticket pricing and distributes promo codes for those games.  Discounted pricing is also available for any group of at least 15 people, beginning at $15 each for #MACtion games and $18 each for Saturday contests. For more information or to bring your group to a game, contact the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) or email HuskiesTickets@niu.edu.
 
Season, single game and mini-plan tickets for the 2023 Huskie home games are all on sale now 24 hours a day, seven days a week online at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies or by calling the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225). Season tickets provide the best overall value at as little as $17 per game for general admission seating on the West Side of Huskie Stadium ($102 total). Sit in the same reserved seat for all six games for just $144 (sections A, B, F) or $162 (sections C, D, E). With the addition of the new Homecoming + One option, there are three "Pick Your Pack" mini-plans available, including Saturday Only and MACtion+Saturday four-game plans. See all the ticket prices and options, including premium experiences, here.
 
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