News

Illinois State Fair announces digital ticketing for 2026 season

4 weeks ago in Community, Entertainment, Fair and Festival Guide, News

Photo: Contributed

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Starting January 1, the Illinois State Fair has gone 100% digital after a successful trial run in 2025.

This means that the fair is moving away from physical tickets, instead transitioning to digital ticketing for 2026. The modernization will provide fair goers with a more convenient, secure, and streamlined entry process.

Fairgoers should download their tickets before arriving at the fairgrounds or save their tickets to their mobile phone’s e-wallet for a quick and easy entry. Tickets do not have to be purchased in advance, and can be purchased in cash at the gate.

A parking pass will still be provided for your dashboard, but no more paper admission tickets is aimed at providing a more eco-friendly and convenient event.

Mega Passes and Jumbo Passes will still be redeemed at the Illinois State Fair administration offices (the Emmerson Building) for a photo identification card. Passes can be redeemed starting in June 2026.

Recent Headlines

7 hours ago in National, Trending

Man who tried to shoot Trump at a Florida golf course gets life in prison

A man convicted of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump on a Florida golf course in 2024 was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison after a federal prosecutor said his crime was unacceptable "in this country or anywhere."

14 hours ago in Olympics, Sports, Trending

Winter Olympics 2026 guide: All you need to know about the Milan Cortina Games

The start of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy is days away. The torch relay is nearly complete and some of the top athletes are already making headlines. There are 16 sports in all, including some never seen before, and 116 gold medals are waiting to be awarded.

14 hours ago in Entertainment

Penny the Doberman pinscher wins the 150th Westminster dog show

A Doberman pinscher named Penny won best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, netting U.S. show dogs' most coveted prize — and giving veteran handler Andy Linton another win after nearly four decades.

14 hours ago in Entertainment

Super Bowl LX ads feature AI, weight-loss drugs and celebs from George Clooney to Kendall Jenner

As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, the battle off the field for advertisers to win over 120 million-plus viewers will be just as heated as the rivalry between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.

1 day ago in Lifestyle, Trending

With caviar McNuggets and heart-shaped pizza, fast food chains hope to win Valentine’s diners

It's a tale as old as time, or at least as old as TikTok: chicken nuggets lovingly topped with a dab of caviar. McDonald's is embracing the trend this Valentine's Day with a limited-time McNugget Caviar kit. The free kit, which will be available on McNuggetCaviar.com on Feb. 10, pairs a one-ounce tin of Paramount's Siberian sturgeon caviar with a $25 McDonald's gift card to buy McNuggets.