Arguably the biggest in-state collegiate football rivalry, the Iowa State - Iowa game is one of the biggest tailgating events of the season. Each year the winner of the game takes home the Cy-Hawk trophy as well as bragging rights. Students from both schools use this game as an opportunity to try and outdo each other in tailgating, making it one of the most fun Iowa State games to attend.
The Iowa State - Kansas State rivalry dates back to 1917 and is the eighth longest continuous series in college football. Dubbed “Farmageddon” as a reference to the agricultural roots of each university, the game is one of the best to attend outside of the Iowa - Iowa State game. Join in on cheering the Cyclones against one of the biggest rivals by attending Farmageddon.
Cyclones Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
Tailgating at Iowa State is a huge part of game day. The average tailgate attendance is 10-15% over the actual game attendance and for big games that number can get as high as 40% over the actual game attendance. Cyclones fans live and breathe tailgating, so get to the stadium early as the gates open up six hours before kickoff to get the most out of your game day experience at Iowa State.
School pride is alive and well at Iowa State as everyone you’ll see on game day is decked out in cardinal and gold. The parking lots located right next to Jack Trice Stadium are massive as all you’ll see when arriving at the stadium is a sea of cardinal and gold tents and grills. Tailgating at Iowa State is easy and fun with many tailgaters setting up large tents fully equipped with TVs, grills, and in some cases even dance floors. On an average game day, there are approximately 300 RVs and over 10,000 parked cars meaning there will be plenty of fellow fans for you to get down and party with.
If tailgating isn’t your scene though don’t fear as Ames offers plenty of places to grab a quick drink or bite to eat before the game. The two main areas to explore are Campustown (Welch Avenue/Northwest of the stadium) and downtown (Northeast of the stadium). At both these locations, you’ll find a wide variety of bars and restaurants all within walking distance to Jack Trice Stadium.
Whether you want to spend the day tailgating from dawn ‘til dusk or just want to grab a quick drink before the game with some friends you’ll have a great time at an Iowa State tailgate, which offers the best of both worlds.
Tailgating at Iowa State is a huge part of game day. The average tailgate attendance is 10-15% over the actual game attendance and for big games that number can get as high as 40% over the actual game attendance. Cyclones fans live and breathe tailgating, so get to the stadium early as the gates open up six hours before kickoff to get the most out of your game day experience at Iowa State.
School pride is alive and well at Iowa State as everyone you’ll see on game day is decked out in cardinal and gold. The parking lots located right next to Jack Trice Stadium are massive as all you’ll see when arriving at the stadium is a sea of cardinal and gold tents and grills. Tailgating at Iowa State is easy and fun with many tailgaters setting up large tents fully equipped with TVs, grills, and in some cases even dance floors. On an average game day, there are approximately 300 RVs and over 10,000 parked cars meaning there will be plenty of fellow fans for you to get down and party with.
If tailgating isn’t your scene though don’t fear as Ames offers plenty of places to grab a quick drink or bite to eat before the game. The two main areas to explore are Campustown (Welch Avenue/Northwest of the stadium) and downtown (Northeast of the stadium). At both these locations, you’ll find a wide variety of bars and restaurants all within walking distance to Jack Trice Stadium.
Whether you want to spend the day tailgating from dawn ‘til dusk or just want to grab a quick drink before the game with some friends you’ll have a great time at an Iowa State tailgate, which offers the best of both worlds.
Appropriately nicknamed the “drunk bus” by Iowa State students, the Moonlight Express can be seen driving through the streets of Ames, packed with partying students. The lucky few will catch a bus full of students partaking in a drunken rendition of “Sweet Caroline” or some favorite ISU chants.
Reserved Tailgate LotsThe tailgate lots at Iowa State offer something for everyone as there are designated areas for students, alumni, and even visiting fans. Regardless of where you fit in you’ll be able to find a great spot to set up a tailgate and make friends here at Iowa State.
Welch Avenue/Main StreetWelch Avenue and Main Street are the main strips of bars in Ames, Iowa and is the most visited area among students and alumni. With a wide variety of bars, restaurants, and late night hot spots, Welch Avenue and Main Street are places you must explore when visiting Iowa State.
Cyclones Stadium Guide
In Game
The Cyclones entrance is quite a spectacle to behold and will get you, and the rest of the crowd charged. The entrance starts with billowing out of the tunnel as the crowd gets louder and louder with anticipation, which is eventually capped off with the sounding of the tornado siren as the Cyclones take the field. The atmosphere during the Cyclones entrance is electric and will send a tingle down your spine.
The entrance does a great job of setting the tone as the heightened atmosphere continues throughout the game. Cyclones fans are die hard and will stand and support their team regardless of the score. The fans in Ames know when to get loud and when to remain quiet, which helps give the Cyclones an excellent home field advantage even in some of the more trying times recently. If you’re looking to take in a game with a bunch of die hards who know their football, then Iowa State is the gameday experience for you.
The band also puts on a great spectacle at Iowa State games and helps enhance an already electric atmosphere. Head on down to Ames for a superb game day experience that offers everything you could ever want in a college football game.
On the Northeast corner of Jack Trice Stadium, there is an area called the Cyclone Experience which is a family friendly environment offering activities for the kids.
The Victory Bell was crafted in 1980 to be used as a bell dismissal from classes but has since been moved to the stadium where it is rung after Cyclone victories. Listen for the sound of the Victory Bell after witnessing the Cyclones thrash the opposition.
The Tornado siren will let you know when something big has happened in Jack Trice Stadium as it signals the team entering the stadium, Cyclones touchdowns, defensive stands, and other big plays. The siren is a big part of the Cyclone nation as well as the experience of taking in a game at Jack Trice.
The members of the Iowa State Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi man and maintain a cannon that is discharged at home football games when Iowa State takes the field, kicks off, and scores a touchdown. The cannon is a great tradition that will get you pumped up to cheer on the Cyclones.
Fans have recently started singing Neil Diamond’s "Sweet Caroline" in between the third and fourth quarters of games where the Cyclones are in the lead, as well as post-game after victories.
After games, students still rush the field and try to remove the goal posts to no avail. It’s a great tradition and something every fan should try at least once.
The Cardinal has been the proud mascot of Iowa State University since the 1950’s and has won two national mascot challenges: the CBS Most Dominant College Mascot and the Capital One Bowl National Mascot of the year. Cy can often be seen wandering around Iowa State’s campus as well as Ames, Iowa, taking pictures with students and local Cyclone fans.
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