CEDAR FALLS — One of Iowa’s in-state wrestling rivalries is returning to the mat.
The University of Iowa men’s wrestling team will face Northern Iowa on December 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM inside the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, as Journeymen Wrestling presents “Dual in the Dome.”
The matchup will be the first meeting between the Hawkeyes and Panthers since 2011 and the first home dual for UNI against Iowa since 2010.
“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 December dual will begin a two-year, home-and-home series between the programs. Northern Iowa will host the 2026 matchup in Cedar Falls, while the Panthers are scheduled to visit Iowa City and Carver-Hawkeye Arena during the 2027-28 season. A date for the return dual has not yet been announced.
The 2026 meeting will be the 55th all-time dual between Iowa and Northern Iowa. The programs first met in 1930, and Iowa leads the series, 44-8-2.
UNI officials said the return of the rivalry is about more than one night of wrestling.
“This is an exciting day for the UNI and Iowa wrestling programs with the announcement of this home-and-home series,” said UNI Director of Athletics Dr. Megan Franklin. “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.”
Franklin said the event reflects what can happen when programs work together to grow the sport.
“It is a reminder that our greatest successes often come through the friendships, partnerships, and shared vision that exist beyond the mat,” Franklin said. “When those entities come together with the common goal of growing the sport, we get to put together an exciting announcement like this today.”
UNI head coach Doug Schwab said he is eager to bring the Hawkeyes back to Cedar Falls.
“I couldn’t be more excited for my team, our program, our fans, the state of Iowa and the wrestling community as a whole,” 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.”
Schwab also thanked Frank Popolizio of Journeymen Wrestling for helping make the event happen.
Popolizio, club director and founder of Journeymen Wrestling, described the renewed series as a revival of a historic rivalry.
“Some rivalries never die—they simply wait for the next chapter,” Popolizio said. “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.”
The Panthers finished last season with an 11-8 dual record and a 4-4 mark against Big 12 teams. UNI sent five wrestlers to the NCAA Championships.
Iowa, one of the sport’s traditional powers, went 12-6 in duals and 5-3 in Big Ten duals. The Hawkeyes qualified 10 wrestlers for the NCAA Championships and produced seven All-Americans.
Live coverage of the December 11 Dual in the Dome will be broadcast exclusively on FloWrestling.
UNI said 2026-27 season ticket holders who have renewed, along with those holding new season ticket deposits, will receive special presale access and a 20% discount beginning Wednesday, July 22. The event is expected to draw a capacity crowd.
Admission to the dual is not included in UNI wrestling season ticket packages, TC’s Kids Club or Young Alumni Tickets. It will be treated as a featured standalone event in the UNI-Dome.
Eligible full-time, fee-paying UNI students will be able to attend for free.
Tickets for the general public will go on sale Wednesday, August 5. Full seating options and pricing will be announced later.