The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the University of Iowa have announced a new agreement that will keep the high school football state semifinals and state championship in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls through the 2027 season.
Since the opening of the UNI-Dome in 1976, an average of over 25,000 spectators have come to Cedar Falls over a two-week period in November for the IHSAA’s semifinal and championship games, ranging from the eight-player division to the large Class 5A schools. The 2022 playoffs drew an estimated 54,000 people over the course of 14 semifinal and seven championship contests.
University of Northern Iowa news release
“The IHSAA is excited to continue its partnership with the University of Northern Iowa to host our football semifinal and championship games at the UNI-Dome,” said IHSAA Executive Director Tom Keating. “This agreement extension ensures that high school football players and teams can continue to pursue the “Road to the Dome” and fans may continue to enjoy attending those games out of the elements and in the comfort of the UNI-Dome.”
“For decades, countless young men in Iowa have pursued the goal of reaching the UNI-Dome and hoisting a state football championship trophy,” said UNI Director of Athletics David Harris. “We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the IHSAA in bringing the final two weeks of the Iowa high school football season to the UNI-Dome, our campus and our community. The unmatched atmosphere of the UNI-Dome has helped create countless memories for young student-athletes around our state, and we are excited to help continue that tradition in making more memorable moments come to life.”
