Fan Stay
Graduate Iowa City
Boutique hotel on the Pedestrian Mall celebrating Hawkeye culture. The bar's Hawkeye-themed cocktails and walking distance to Kinnick Stadium make it the gameday headquarters.
stadium
Kinnick Stadium
Iowa City, IA · Capacity: 69,250
About Kinnick Stadium
Home of the Iowa Hawkeyes with a capacity of 69,250. Famous for The Wave — where fans turn to wave at children watching from the nearby University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, creating one of sports' most moving traditions.
- Opened: 1929
- Capacity: 69,250
- Architect: HNTB
- Operator: University of Iowa
- Home teams: Iowa Hawkeyes football, Iowa Hawkeyes
- Owner: University of Iowa
- Official site: hawkeyesports.com/kinnick-stadium
Fan Guide · Iowa Hawkeyes
Kinnick Stadium and the Iowa Wave
Kinnick Stadium is home to the Iowa Hawkeyes and to one of the most moving traditions in sport: the Iowa Wave, when after the first quarter the entire stadium turns to wave at the children watching from the hospital tower overlooking the field.
Iowa City is a classic Big Ten college town on the Iowa River.
Below are the Iowa City stays, restaurants and bars fans use for a Kinnick game day.
Fan tip: Stay for the end of the first quarter and join the Iowa Wave to the children's hospital — the best tradition in college football.
Where Fans Stay, Eat & Drink near Kinnick Stadium
All Iowa City hotspots →Hotels, bars, restaurants and things to do near Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City — every pick web-researched and source-cited, closest to the stadium first.
Where to Stay
Bars & Pubs
Deadwood Tavern
Iowa City's beloved dive bar, a fixture of the Ped Mall and a favorite of Iowa Writers' Workshop students and Hawkeye fans alike. Cheap drinks and genuine character.
The Airliner
Iowa City institution since 1944, famous for its pizza and as the ultimate Hawkeye pregame bar. Located on Clinton Street in the heart of the Ped Mall district.
Restaurants
Fan Eats
Hamburg Inn No. 2
Iowa City institution since 1948, famous for its pie shakes and as a mandatory stop for presidential candidates during Iowa caucus season. Hawkeye gameday breakfast tradition.
Fan Eats
The Mill Restaurant
Iowa City institution since 1962, famous for its pizza and as a legendary live music venue. A cornerstone of the Ped Mall scene and a Hawkeye gameday tradition.
Things to Do
Attraction
Kinnick Stadium & The Wave
Join one of college football's most heartwarming traditions at Kinnick Stadium, where 70,000-plus Hawkeyes fans turn to wave at the children in the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital overlooking the north end zone at the end of the first quarter. The viral tradition has become a must-see moment in all of sports.
Things to Do
The Wave at Kinnick Stadium
At the end of the first quarter, 70,000 fans turn to wave at the children watching from the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital — the most heartwarming tradition in sports.
Things to Do
Old Capitol Museum Walk
The iconic gold-domed Old Capitol building on the Pentacrest, Iowa's first capitol and the symbolic heart of the University of Iowa. The surrounding campus walk to Kinnick Stadium is a gameday ritual.
Attraction
Prairie Lights Books
Iowa City's legendary independent bookstore, a cornerstone of the city's UNESCO City of Literature designation. The upstairs cafe hosts readings by Iowa Writers' Workshop authors.
Things to Do
Kinnick Stadium Wave Experience
At the end of the first quarter, 69,000+ Hawkeye fans turn and wave to the children watching from the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital overlooking Kinnick Stadium. Sports' most moving tradition.
Plan Your Trip to Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City is tracked across 0 events and seats 69,250 fans. Here's how fans build a trip around it:
- Anchor Event: Use the event cards below to select your next anchor date.
- Post-Event Path: Continue into Iowa City and Iowa City hotspots for food, bars, and stay options.
Sources & References
Structured facts on this page (capacity, opening year, architect, ownership) are compiled from public reference databases and verified against venue coordinates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kinnick Stadium
Check back for celebrity sighting reports from Kinnick Stadium.
Kinnick Stadium has a capacity of 69,250 people.
Kinnick Stadium opened in 1929. It was designed by HNTB.
Iowa Hawkeyes football, Iowa Hawkeyes play home games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
Check our events page for upcoming events at Kinnick Stadium.