Fan Field Guide
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Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa City, Iowa - Kinnick Stadium - Black and Gold - Herky the Hawk

Defense, field position and a first-quarter wave to the children's hospital next door that has become the best tradition in the sport.

Field position, defense and the best in-game tradition in the sport.

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Stadium
Kinnick Stadium
Capacity
69,250
Opened
1929
Conference
Big Ten
How to watch

Broadcast and streaming

Regularly on the conference network for early windows and national afternoon slots for ranked matchups.

Conference network

Big Ten Network carries the early windows that national bundles treat as an add-on tier.

National windows

Marquee matchups move to national broadcast partners, usually announced 12 days out.

Out-of-market

A live TV bundle that includes the conference network is the simplest single subscription.

Related: Best sports streaming services / How to watch Big Ten football

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Stream Iowa games on Fubo

Fubo carries conference networks, national windows and NFL Sunday action with cloud DVR. Try it free for the games you cannot get over the air.

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Tickets

What tickets actually cost you in planning

Evergreen demand patterns, not a live price feed. Verify current inventory at the source before you book travel.

  • Kinnick sells out most seasons. Plan on secondary inventory for anything after October.
  • The visiting section is in the south end zone and gets full sun for afternoon games.
  • Hospital parking ramps are the most reliable paid option and are a short walk in.

Where to sit

The bowl is steep and close to the field, so there are very few bad sightlines. The north end is the student side and the loudest.

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Traditions

What makes a Iowa Saturday different

The Wave

At the end of the first quarter the entire stadium turns and waves to the children's hospital overlooking the field. Be in your seat for it.

Melrose Avenue

The tailgate street starts at sunrise for afternoon kickoffs and runs the length of the walk to the stadium.

DICK'S Sporting GoodsAlso at DICK'S Sporting Goods

Iowa polos, quarter-zips and tees

College apparel for game day and the office, with in-store pickup at most locations.

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Attend

Games to plan around

College Football

Kinnick Afternoon Kickoff

When
Home Saturdays, September through November
Venue
Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa

Coverage: Conference network and national afternoon windows

Melrose Avenue tailgates start at sunrise. Get parked early and walk, because the streets near the stadium close well before kickoff.

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Tailgating

  • Melrose Avenue is the classic scene and starts at sunrise for afternoon kickoffs.
  • Grills and generators are common; the lots are set up for a full day.

Insulated seat cushions and a windproof outer layer do more here than a heavier coat.

Best tailgating gear

Travel and stay

  • Cedar Rapids (CID) is 30 minutes out and usually cheaper than driving from Chicago.
  • Hospital ramps are the most reliable paid parking if you get there early.

Weather: Late-season Iowa City is genuinely cold and often wet. Layer from the base out and bring a seat cushion; the aluminum benches pull heat.

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Around the game

Beyond the stadium in Iowa City, Iowa

  • Downtown Iowa CityThe Ped Mall is a ten-minute walk and the best postgame food cluster.
  • CoralvilleWhere most visiting fans end up for lodging, with a short drive or shuttle in.

Rivalry weekends

vs Nebraskavs Minnesotavs Wisconsin

Iowa game-day packing list

6 items

Saved on this device so you can check it off the morning of the game.

Stadium

Kinnick Stadium

Capacity 69,250Opened 1929Iowa City, Iowa

A compact bowl next to a children's hospital, where the whole stadium turns and waves at the end of the first quarter.

  • - Melrose Avenue tailgates start at sunrise for afternoon kickoffs.
  • - Hospital ramps are the most reliable paid parking if you arrive early.
FAQ

Iowa questions

What channel is Iowa on?
Regularly on the conference network for early windows and national afternoon slots for ranked matchups.
How hard is it to get Iowa tickets?
Kinnick sells out most seasons. Plan on secondary inventory for anything after October.
Where should I sit at Kinnick Stadium?
The bowl is steep and close to the field, so there are very few bad sightlines. The north end is the student side and the loudest.
What is the weather like for a Iowa home game?
Late-season Iowa City is genuinely cold and often wet. Layer from the base out and bring a seat cushion; the aluminum benches pull heat.
Where should I tailgate at Kinnick Stadium?
Melrose Avenue is the classic scene and starts at sunrise for afternoon kickoffs.
What is the best airport for a Iowa game?
Cedar Rapids (CID) is 30 minutes out and usually cheaper than driving from Chicago.
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