Jack Trice Stadium
Jack Trice Stadium, known as “the Jack”, is a college football stadium in Ames, Iowa, home of the Iowa State Cyclones, who play in the Big 12 of NCAA Division I FBS. It opened in 1975, making it 51 years old in 2026 and seats 61,500 fans. It ranks 2nd of 16 in the Big 12 by capacity.
The team plays on natural grass. Its record crowd is 61,500 vs. Northern Iowa (2015).
Stadium facts
- Location
- Ames, Iowa
- Home of
- Iowa State Cyclones
- School
- Iowa State University
- Conference
- Big 12
- Subdivision
- Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
- Opened
- 1975
- Capacity
- 61,500
- Playing surface
- Natural grass
- Nickname
- the Jack
- Former names
- Cyclone Stadium / Jack Trice Field (1975–1997)
- Record crowd
- 61,500 vs. Northern Iowa (2015)
- Size rank in FBS
- 36th of 138
Famous games at Jack Trice Stadium
- 1975: Opener, 17–12 win over Air Force
- 1976: 37–28 win over No. 9 Nebraska
- 2015: Record crowd for 31–7 win over Northern Iowa
Game day
Tradition. Players make a game-day 'spirit walk' to the stadium.
Tailgating. A 2019 renovation replaced the Olsen Building with a plaza and expanded tailgating space.
Seating & views
Jack Trice Stadium seats about 61,500. The south end zone was enclosed in 2015 with new upper and lower bowls that connected the east and west concourses and added about 13,000 seats, 3,000 lower-level club seats and the two-level Sukup End Zone Club, plus a 150-foot scoreboard. Since 2022 the student section has sat in the southeast corner, sections 23 to 27 and O to T, on the side shown on TV, after Iowa State moved it from the northeast end for field-rushing safety. A grassy berm on the north end is a popular, casual place to watch. Upper-level seats still feel close to the field.
Parking & tailgating
Jack Trice sits south of central campus next to the Iowa State Center, and most gameday parking is in the surrounding lots. Single-game parking is sold online in advance, and each pass covers one space. Lots open six hours before kickoff, never before 6 a.m., and cars arriving more than 30 minutes early may be towed. Tailgating culture is strong, with painted school buses and the long-running tent row, now moving to the Scheman Courtyard. Donor RVs use RV Village, and rideshare uses Lot F near CY Stephens. Check Iowa State's official Know Before You Go page, since details change.
Seating and parking sources: cyclones.com, hntb.com, cyclonefanatic.com.
Plan your trip to Jack Trice Stadium
Stadiums near Jack Trice Stadium10
- 1FCSDrake Stadium — Drake Bulldogs 27 mi
- 2FCSUNI-Dome — Northern Iowa Panthers 71 mi
- 3FBSKinnick Stadium — Iowa Hawkeyes 109 mi
- 4FCSDakotaDome — South Dakota Coyotes 177 mi
- 5FBSMemorial Stadium, Tom Osborne Field — Nebraska Cornhuskers 180 mi
- 6FCSHanson Field — Western Illinois Leathernecks 187 mi
- 7FCSO'Shaughnessy Stadium — St. Thomas Tommies 204 mi
- 8FBSHuntington Bank Stadium — Minnesota Golden Gophers 204 mi
- 9FBSFaurot Field at Memorial Stadium — Missouri Tigers 223 mi
- 10FBSCamp Randall Stadium — Wisconsin Badgers 226 mi
Questions about Jack Trice Stadium
Where do the Iowa State Cyclones play home games?
The Iowa State Cyclones play at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa.
How many people does Jack Trice Stadium hold?
Jack Trice Stadium has a capacity of 61,500.
When did Jack Trice Stadium open?
Jack Trice Stadium opened in 1975.
What is Jack Trice Stadium’s nickname?
Jack Trice Stadium is known as “the Jack.”
What is the attendance record at Jack Trice Stadium?
The record crowd at Jack Trice Stadium is 61,500 vs. Northern Iowa (2015).
Where do fans tailgate at Jack Trice Stadium?
A 2019 renovation replaced the Olsen Building with a plaza and expanded tailgating space.
Does Jack Trice Stadium have grass or turf?
Jack Trice Stadium has a natural grass field.
What other college football stadiums are near Jack Trice Stadium?
Drake Stadium in Des Moines is about 27 miles away. See the full list of nearby stadiums on this page.
Facts are for the 2026 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your stadium? Get the “Listed on All Football Stadiums” badge for your website.