Iowa football has locked in another date on the calendar ahead of the 2026 season, and fans will get their first real look at the Hawkeyes at Kinnick on Aug. 15.
The program’s annual “Kids’ Day at Kinnick” will feature an open practice that starts at 11 a.m., with gates A, B and H set to open an hour earlier at 10 a.m. Before practice gets rolling, team members will sign autographs for kids at approximately 10:30 a.m. along the front of the west and south stands.
The day also includes a few extra touches for younger fans. The 2026 Kid Captains will be introduced during practice, and they’ll join the players on the field for photos after an exclusive “inside look” at Kinnick Stadium.
For Iowa supporters, it’s another chance to check out the roster before the season opens in September. That includes the quarterback competition between Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown, along with transfers Tyler Brown and Tony Diaz and the rest of the freshmen class that arrived in June.
Admission to the event is free, and free parking will be available in designated hard surface lots, though regular ramp fees still apply. Concession stands will be cashless and take debit or credit cards only, and Kinnick’s clear bag policy will be in effect.
Iowa opens the 2026 season against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5 at 3:15 p.m. on BTN.
Tickets remain on sale for five home games this fall: Northern Illinois on Sept. 5, Ohio State on Oct.
3, Wisconsin on Oct. 31 for Homecoming, Purdue on Nov. 14 and Nebraska on Nov. 27.
Two other home dates - Iowa State on Sept. 12 and UNI on Sept. 19 - are already sold out.
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