Nebraska, Illinois confirmed Week 0 overseas matchup to open 2021 college football season

Pack your bags, Nebraska and Illinois fans, the 2021 matchup between the two teams won’t be played at either school’s historic Memorial Stadium.

On Monday morning, both Illinois and Nebraska confirmed that the 2021 game between the Illini and Huskers will be played overseas in Dublin, Ireland. The B1G matchup will be held in Week 0 to begin the college football season.

The game is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021.

"This game will provide an incredible educational opportunity for our football student-athletes who, because of their schedule, generally do not receive the same international experiences as many of our other student-athletes." – @IlliniAD on 2021 🇮🇪 gamehttps://t.co/MguyqbHTUj

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 14, 2019

Emerald Isle → 2021#GBR pic.twitter.com/1KdotJnx9L

— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) October 14, 2019

The game will be played at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

It’s an interesting way to kickoff the 2021 season, not only with it being played overseas, but with it being a B1G West game to open the year. It will have immediate implications on the division race for both squads.

The 2021 matchup between the two schools will be the 19th meeting all-time. Currently, Nebraska own a 13-3-1 edge over Illinois. The Huskers also defeated the Illini earlier this season 42-38 in Champaign. Illinois’ last win came in 2015.