Updated August 5, 2019
Can you feel it in the air? It’s starting to feel like football season in Central Iowa. Ok, so we don’t have a professional football team. But we do have several fantastic college teams, and a college football game can be twice as fun (and half as expensive)! So introduce your kids to big time football, some great tailgating and get ready to cheer on your favorite college football teams in Central Iowa.
Drake University
Drake Stadium • 2719 Forest Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50311
Kids can meet Drake football players at Football Youth Day on Saturday, August 18, 2019. The event is FREE for kids in Eighth Grade or under at Drake Stadium. Kids can also join Spike’s Kid’s Club for FREE, which gets them admission to one Kids Club Day game for multiple sports, including football. The Bulldogs kick off at their home opener against Truman State on September 7, 2109. Visit Go Drake Bulldogs to find schedules and purchase tickets.
Grandview University
Williams Stadium • 1591 E University Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50316
Grand View is ranked 12th in the NAIA Football Coaches’ Preseason Poll. The Vikings, predicted to be the top team in the Heart of America Conference in 2019, kick off their season at home on August 29th against MidAmerica Nazarene University. Visit Grandview’s Athletic site for schedules. Season passes for all varsity athletics can be purchased online or single game tickets can be purchased at the gate.
Iowa State University
Jack Trice Stadium •1800 S 4th Street • Ames, IA 50011
The Cyclones host intrastate rival the UNI Panthers for their home opener on Saturday, August 31, 2019. Kids can get in on the action by joining the Jr. Cyclone Club. Club members receive an official club t-shirt, lanyard, membership card, invitations to special events and admission to over 70 sporting events, including Hillside seats for all home football games (including the Iowa game). The University is also hosting Cyclones Unplugged a FREE event for fans of all ages on Sunday, August 22, 2019 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at Cowles Commons here in Des Moines. Football tickets can be purchased at http://www.cyclones.com/.
Simpson College
Bill Buxton Stadium • 701 N C Street • Indianola, IA 50131
The action on the field takes place at the Bill Buxton Stadium in Indianola. The Storm go up against the Chicago Maroons in their first home game of the season on September 14, 2019. Visit Simpson’s Athletic site for the 2019 Football schedule. Game tickets can be purchased at the gate.
University of Iowa
Kinnick Stadium • 825 Stadium Drive • Iowa City, IA 52240
Kids 13 and under can join the Junior Hawk Club. This Club provides admission to all varsity sporting events except football. Discounted tickets to select non-conference football games are offered to Club members. In addition kids will be invited to special Jr. Hawk Club events. The Hawkeyes meet Miami (Ohio) on the grid iron on August 31, 2019. To view the full schedule visit http://www.hawkeyesports.com/.
Are you ready for some college football? Who will your family be cheering for this fall?
