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Kinnick Stadium - home of Iowa in Iowa City, IA
NCAA FBS

Kinnick StadiumIowa City, Iowa

Iowa

👥
Capacity
69,250
🏆
Conference
Big Ten
📅
Opened
1929
🌱
Surface
FieldTurf

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📖About Kinnick Stadium

Kinnick Stadium holds 69,250 fans and is the only college football stadium named after a Heisman Trophy winner—Nile Kinnick, who won in 1939 and died serving in WWII. It's famous for "The Wave," where fans turn to wave at children in the adjacent hospital after the first quarter.

🏛️History

Origins

Built in just seven months in 1929, using horses, mules, and round-the-clock crews. Originally Iowa Stadium, it was renamed in 1972 after sportswriter Gus Schrader successfully lobbied to honor Heisman winner Nile Kinnick.

Major Renovations

1956First major expansion to 53,000 capacity
2006$86.8M renovation: new press box, scoreboard, permanent south end zone seating
2019$89.9M north end zone upgrade with box seating and new scoreboard (69,250 capacity)

Notable Moments

Sep 2, 2017"The Wave" tradition begins—fans wave to Children's Hospital patients after 1st quarter
Oct 15, 2023Crossover at Kinnick: Iowa vs DePaul drew 55,646—women's basketball world record
Nov 23, 2024Iowa beats Nebraska 13-10 to extend home winning streak

🎟️Visitor Guide

Best Seats

Ted Pacha Family Club and Kinnick Edge offer premium midfield views. Chairback rentals available ($15 game day). The Mediacom Outdoor Club and McCord Club Lounge provide climate-controlled hospitality. Student section is in the north end zone.

Parking Tips

Free lots 55, 71, 85 open 6 hrs before kickoff with shuttle service. Paid lots ($30 cars, $100 RVs) include Finkbine Golf Course and Newton Ramp. Melrose Ave closes 1 hr before kickoff. RV overnight parking available in Lots 52, 73, 75S (7:30-10pm Friday).

Game Day

Hawk Walk at Krause Family Plaza starts 2 hrs before kickoff—players touch Kinnick's statue. Marching band performs free at Rec Building 75 min early. Stadium is cashless. Don't miss The Wave after Q1—the most heartwarming tradition in college football. Pink visitor locker rooms still honor Coach Hayden Fry's mind games.

🗺️Local Recommendations

🍺Bars & Drinks

The Vine Tavern & Eatery

$$

Popular gameday spot with great food and famous wings. Sports-friendly atmosphere.

📍 0.5 miles330 E Prentiss St

💡 Get there early - packed on gamedays.

Donnelly's Irish Pub

$$

Authentic Irish atmosphere downtown with a great selection of Irish whiskeys and beers.

📍 0.7 miles110 E College St

💡 Perfect for a celebratory Guinness after a win.

🍽️Restaurants

Hamburg Inn No. 2

$

Iowa City legend since 1948. Famous pie shakes and presidential history.

📍 0.8 miles214 N Linn St

💡 Opens 7am weekends. Great breakfast before the game.

Pagliai's Pizza

$

Iconic Iowa City pizza since 1957. Perfect for post-game.

📍 0.6 miles302 E Bloomington St

💡 Cash only. Worth it.

Wig & Pen Pizza Pub

$$

Known for their Flying Tomato and thin-crust pizzas in a pub environment.

📍 1.2 miles1220 Hwy 6 W

💡 Great alternative to Pagliai's with more seating.

🏨Hotels

Graduate Iowa City

$$$

University-themed boutique hotel in the heart of downtown.

📍 0.6 miles210 S Dubuque St

💡 Book months ahead for gamedays.

hotelVetro

$$$

Modern, upscale hotel in downtown Iowa City with sleek design and great views.

📍 0.7 miles201 S Linn St

💡 Walking distance to all the downtown action.

🎭Attractions

The Wave at Children's Hospital

$

After Q1, fans wave to kids in adjacent hospital. Most heartwarming tradition in CFB.

📍 0.1 milesUniversity of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital

💡 Be in your seat before end of Q1.

Old Capitol Museum

$

Historical landmark at the center of the Pentacrest, former state capitol of Iowa.

📍 0.8 miles1 N Clinton St

💡 Beautiful architecture and interesting Iowa history.

🅿️Parking Options

🅿️

Free Lots 55/71/85

Free
Lot📍 1+ miles

💡 Open 6 hours before kickoff. Free shuttle to stadium.

🅿️

Finkbine Golf Course

$30
Lot📍 1 mile

💡 Paid lot with easier access.

🅿️

Dental Lot (Lot 40)

$30
Lot📍 0.4 miles

💡 Very close to the stadium, but fills up extremely early.

Suggest a Tip

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Stadium Rankings

🏟️
#36 Largest Stadium
View top 50 by capacity
Learn more on Wikipedia→

🔥Rivals

→

Jack Trice Stadium

Iowa State

Battle for the Cy-Hawk

Ames, IA

→

Huntington Bank Stadium

Minnesota

Battle for Floyd of Rosedale

Minneapolis, MN

→

Memorial Stadium, Tom Osborne Field

Nebraska

Battle of the Heroes

Lincoln, NE

→

Camp Randall Stadium

Wisconsin

Battle for the Heartland

Madison, WI

Stadiums Near Kinnick Stadium

→

UNI-Dome

Northern Iowa Panthers

Cedar Falls, Iowa76 mi
→

Hanson Field

Western Illinois Leathernecks

Macomb, Illinois94 mi
→

Drake Stadium

Drake Bulldogs

Des Moines, Iowa109 mi
→

Jack Trice Stadium

Iowa State

Ames, IA110 mi
→

Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium

NIU

DeKalb, IL144 mi
→

Camp Randall Stadium

Wisconsin

Madison, WI146 mi

References

Content sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and official team sites. Additional information verified against public sources.