CEDAR FALLS -- The University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa announced today that it will resume its wrestling rivalry.
The Hawkeyes will travel to Cedar Falls on Dec. 11 to face the Panthers inside the UNI-Dome as part of the Journeymen Wrestling presents "Dual in the Dome" event.
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"This is an exciting day for the UNI and Iowa wrestling programs with the announcement of this home-and-home series," UNI Director of Athletics Dr. Megan Franklin said in a release. "This matchup gives us the opportunity to celebrate the sport of wrestling, honor the generations of student-athletes and coaches who built these proud programs, and begin anew."
Iowa and UNI have not wrestled a dual since 2011, a 39-0 Iowa win. The Panthers last victory in the series came in 1974, when UNI, then a Division II program, won 17-15.
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Wrestling inside the Dome also has historical significance. The first event held inside the newly built UNI-Dome was Iowa's 31-8 win over UNI on Feb. 7, 1976.
“We are fired up to wrestle UNI again,” Iowa head coach Tom Brands said. “This is an important dual for our team, our fans and the entire state of Iowa. Opportunities like this are good for wrestling, and we are excited to be part of it.”
The dual will be the first of a home-and-home series between the programs. The Hawkeyes and Panthers are scheduled to meet again during the 2027-28 season at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. A date for the return dual has not been announced.
Northern Iowa wrestling coach celebrates a big win by Julian Farber at 133 Sunday in the Panthers win over Missouri at the McLeod Center.
The 2026 matchup will mark the 55th meeting all-time between Iowa and UNI. The teams first met in 1930, and Iowa leads the all-time series, 44-8-2.
"I couldn't be more excited for my team, our program, our fans, the state of Iowa and the wrestling community as a whole," UNI head wrestling coach Doug Schwab said. "In-state rivalries are like no other and I am grateful for the opportunity to renew this one with the Hawkeyes. I can't wait to have Tom, his staff, team, program and fans to a sold-out UNI-Dome. Thank you Frank Popolizio as we aren't here without you. See you in December!"
The Panthers finished this past season with an 11-8 dual record and a 4-4 mark against Big 12 teams, while sending five athletes to the NCAA Championships. Iowa meanwhile, a perennial wrestling power, posted a 12-6 dual record with a 5-3 mark in Big Ten duals, qualifying 10 wrestlers for the national championships with seven All-Americans.
"Some rivalries never die—they simply wait for the next chapter," said Frank Popolizio, club director and founder of Journeymen Wrestling. "After fourteen years, Iowa and UNI return to the mat, renewing a tradition that belongs among college wrestling's most storied duals, alongside Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma, Iowa vs. Iowa State and Army vs. Navy. Journeymen Wrestling is honored to help bring this historic rivalry back to life and be part of its next chapter."
Tickets for the dual will go on sale to the general public on Aug. 5.
Northern Iowa head coach Doug Schwab leaps into the air to celebrate Trever Anderson's pin in the seventh-place match at 125 Sunday at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships in Tulsa, Okla. The win secured Anderson a berth in the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia.
