The University of Maryland is pulling out all the stops to keep student fans in the stands for Saturday’s matchup against Illinois, offering a semester of free tuition to anyone willing to watch the game through the fourth quarter.
Under the promotion, students attending the game can scan a QR code displayed on the stadium video board and enter a raffle. To remain eligible for the drawing, participants must stay in their seats until the final quarter concludes. The tuition credit is valued at approximately $8,000, covering the equivalent of the university’s in-state tuition rate for the spring 2027 semester.
The attendance incentive was first brought to light by student journalist Faith Harris on social media. Alongside the tuition raffle, the athletic department has rolled out a heavily discounted ticketing offer for the contest, allowing buyers to purchase one ticket and receive two additional tickets free of charge for the Saturday noon kickoff.
The aggressive promotional push comes as the Terrapins navigate a difficult athletic period. Maryland enters the weekend holding a 2-5 overall record and a winless standing in Big Ten play, having dropped five consecutive games. The conference struggles stretch back even further, with the team losing 12 straight conference matchups dating back to the previous season.
On-field challenges prompted leadership changes within the program last week, resulting in the departure of head coach Michael Locksley midway through his eighth season at the helm. The move followed consecutive four-win campaigns in 2024 and 2025.
Interim head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will take charge for his first home game against Illinois, with the university’s promotional efforts designed to ensure the student section remains populated from the opening kickoff through the final whistle.
