Iowa football ticket sales in ‘really good spot’ with seven weeks to go before 2023 season

IOWA CITY — Iowa football ticket sales are in a “really good spot” with seven weeks to go until the start of the season, deputy athletics director Matt Henderson told The Gazette Friday.

Iowa has sold about 52,000 season tickets, including just over 3,000 to new season ticket holders. Roughly 90 percent of existing season ticket holders renewed their seats.

"We’d all love to bat 100 percent, but in general, 90 is a strong renewal rate,“ Henderson said. “We’re very excited about where we’re at.”

The boost in season ticket sales follows a cut in prices earlier this year. Depending on the seat location, season tickets are $10 to $25 cheaper.

Mini plans already are on sale, and single-game tickets will go on sale on July 20.

Henderson is optimistic about a “few games” selling out in late July or early August.

Purdue, Minnesota, Western Michigan, Michigan State and “maybe even Utah State,” Henderson believes, “have a really good shot” at selling out.

“September and October typically are games that sell better early because of weather,” Henderson said.

Iowa sold out all of its home games last year a month before the season, but Iowa also had the benefit of more high-profile games. Offensive lethargy also led to significant fan frustration.

"Regardless of the opponent, there’s something special about being at Kinnick Stadium — the tailgating, the family/social aspect of it and just the game day environment — that in many cases, the opponent doesn’t matter,“ Henderson said.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com