Upcoming Iowa State Cyclones Football dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Jack Trice seats: the fast verdict
For an Iowa State Cyclones home game, the strongest seat is on the west sideline between the 30-yard lines, in the middle rows of the lower deck. The west side sits under the press box with the afternoon sun behind it. The east sideline has the same view but faces the sun late in a day game. For a lower price, the enclosed south end zone is the livelier end-zone choice, and the grass hillsides are the casual, budget option.
The Cyclones' home is Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Its listed 61,500 figure includes the grassy corner slopes, and there is no roof. Expect a home slate from about Labor Day weekend to the week before Thanksgiving; the school has belonged to the Big 12 since the league's first season, 1996.
Decks, the south end and the north building
The bowl sits slightly below the surrounding ground. Two-level grandstands line both sidelines and wrap around the south end, and the field runs north to south.
- West sideline: the three-level press box and suites, opened in 1997. Lower-deck seats in the middle rows give the best view; the front rows sit behind benches and sideline crews.
- East sideline: lower and upper decks with the same sightlines. Upper-deck seats are farther away but give a clean read on formations.
- South end: enclosed in 2015 with about 7,500 lower-deck seats, about 5,800 upper-deck seats and a premium club of more than 3,000. It is louder and more complete than a typical end zone.
- North end: the Jacobson Athletic Building and a video board.
September day games can be hot, and November in central Iowa brings cold and wind. Iowa State plays both day and night kickoffs, so look at the start time before you decide how much the sun side matters. The student section location could not be verified, so check the seating map on your listing.
The hillsides: cheap, casual and exposed
The grass slopes in the stadium corners are part of the 61,500 total, but they are not seats in the usual sense. You sit on a hill with no seat back and no assigned spot, open to whatever the weather does. That suits families with kids who want room to move and fans who care more about the day than the angle. It does not suit anyone who wants a sideline view or a back to lean on. Bring a blanket and arrive early to claim a good patch.
Cy-Hawk years and other big Ames dates
- Iowa: first meetings came in 1894; after decades off the schedule, the series came back in 1977 along with the Cy-Hawk Trophy. The Hawkeyes hold the overall lead. An Ames year makes this the season's scarcest seat.
- Kansas State: "Farmageddon," named for both schools' farming roots, has not missed a season since 1917, a run no other college football series can match. Iowa State holds a narrow edge, and the 2025 game opened the season in Dublin, Ireland.
- Missouri and Nebraska: old Big Eight rivals, including the Telephone Trophy series with Missouri, that now seldom appear on the schedule.
A sellout means every one of the 61,500 places, hillsides included. The stadium first reached that record on September 5, 2015, the opener after the south end was enclosed. Ranked Big 12 visitors and night games draw best after the two rivals; early nonconference games are the easiest tickets.
Cyclone Club donations and resale
Season tickets go first, and a large share of sections require a Cyclone Club gift in addition to the seat itself, and the athletics site maps exactly which ones. Members of the club are also first in line for parking. Students have their own allotment, and single-game tickets reach the public after season renewals.
Once season holders and students are seated, little is left for the Iowa game, Kansas State or ranked conference visitors, and resale becomes the main source. Prices run highest for a ranked Cyclones team and under the lights, and drops for early nonconference games and cold late-season games against unranked opponents. Every Reserved Seat order includes guaranteed entry.
Lots, tailgates and entry rules for 2026
Iowa State is known for tailgating, helped by big parking lots around the stadium. Under the 2026 rules, the lots open at 6 a.m. for an 11 a.m. start and six hours ahead for anything at noon or later. Keep your setup inside your own space, with a canopy no bigger than 10 x 10 feet. No glass bottles, no kegs, no open flames and no spirits; beer and wine are fine. See the Iowa State gameday policies for current details.
At the gates, the posted 2026 rules permit three bag types: a see-through plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no bigger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches, a clear gallon bag, or a clutch around 6 x 9 inches or smaller. Medical bags are an exception. For water, bring a single factory-sealed plastic bottle of up to 20 ounces and leave metal ones at home. Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, there is no re-entry, the stadium is cashless and alcohol sales inside cap at two drinks per purchase and close after three quarters. Check Iowa State Athletics before you go.
Siren, cannon and the man the stadium honors
- The tornado siren: wails after every Cyclones touchdown and key defensive play, a fixture since 2011. The idea dates to 2005, when a real twister hit Ames ahead of the Colorado game and fans began asking for it.
- The cannon: Alpha Sigma Phi members set it off as the Cyclones run out, at each kickoff and whenever Iowa State reaches the end zone.
- The victory bell: forged in 1890, it stands just north of the stadium and rings after wins.
Jack Trice was Iowa State's first Black athlete; injuries from a 1923 road game against Minnesota took his life. The stadium opened in 1975 as Cyclone Stadium and took his name in 1997 after years of student petitions, and no other FBS stadium bears the name of an African American. His statue stands outside.
The program began in 1892. The Cyclones name came in 1895, when Pop Warner's team beat Northwestern 36–0 and the Chicago Tribune headline read "Struck by a Cyclone." The mascot, Cy, is a cardinal, picked in 1954 since nobody could figure out how to dress up as a storm. Both of the school's league championships date to 1911 and 1912, in the Missouri Valley. In 2020 the Cyclones reached their first Big 12 Championship Game, beat Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl and ended the year ninth in the AP and Coaches polls, a program high. Troy Davis, who ran for 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons before any other Division I-A back had, placed second in the 1996 Heisman vote and was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Frequently asked questions
Which sideline is better at Jack Trice Stadium for a day game?
The west sideline, under the press box. The field runs north to south, so afternoon sun moves west and shines toward the east stands.
Are hillside seats a good choice?
For families and casual fans on a budget, yes. They are open grass slopes with no seat backs and no shelter, so bring a blanket and arrive early.
Is the south end zone worth buying?
It is the better end. Enclosed in 2015, it has lower and upper decks plus a large club and is louder than the north end, which holds the Jacobson Athletic Building.
Do Iowa State season tickets require a donation?
Many sections carry a required Cyclone Club donation in addition to the ticket price, shown on the athletics department's seating chart.
Can I tailgate with a tent at Iowa State?
As of 2026, yes, within your own parking space and with tents up to 10 by 10 feet. Glass, kegs, open fires and hard liquor are not allowed.
Can I bring water into Jack Trice Stadium?
Under the 2026 rules, a single factory-sealed plastic bottle up to 20 ounces is fine; metal bottles are not.