Sweet 16: Iowa wrestling sets attendance record, leads country in total attendance for 16th straight season

IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa has sold out wrestling season tickets each of the last two years.

Hawkeye fans filled Carver-Hawkeye Arena at a record rate for the 2022-23 season.

The National Wrestling Media Association announced Thursday that Iowa set an NCAA Division I single-season attendance record, attracting 118,870 fans for eight home duals this season. The Hawkeyes led the nation in attendance for the 16th straight year and have held the top spot in 20 of 21 years standings have been recorded.

Iowa went 8-0 at home this season, going 15-1 overall in duals. The Hawkeyes defeated Cal Baptist, Penn, Iowa State, Illinois, Northwestern, Nebraska, Michigan and Oklahoma State at CHA.

“Just thinking about the energy in the arena, imagining it in my head beforehand,” Iowa 141-pound NCAA finalist Real Woods said after his home debut against Iowa State. “You hear stories but there’s nothing like really experiencing it.

“I wanted to get the crowd into it. I love those fans. They gave me energy.”

Iowa averaged 14,858 fans per home dual, including six sold-out crowds of 14,905. The average was the highest since Iowa averaged 14,905 in 2021-22. The 118,870 broke Iowa’s record of 95,325 total for 2015-16, which included 42,287 crowd for Grapple on the Gridiron against Oklahoma State at Kinnick Stadium.

The Hawkeyes were huge draws for opponents as well. They wrestled in front of opponents’ top crowds of the season. Iowa’s dual with Penn State drew 15,998 fans. Iowa was the top attraction for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Army, Chattanooga and Purdue.

Penn State was second with a total of 64,577 fans and an average of 9,225.

Iowa State was third, averaging 5,287 over seven home duals and a total of 37,012 fans. The Cyclones’ 21-13 win over Illinois on Feb. 12 drew a season-high crowd of 8,757 at Hilton Coliseum.

Northern Iowa ranked eighth in average attendance with 2,812 fans per dual. The Panthers were actually seventh in total attendance, bringing in 16,875 total fans to McLeod Center for six duals.

UNI’s dual against Iowa State drew the biggest home crowd, attracting 5,754.

For the complete list of NCAA D-I attendance rankings for 2022-23, visit the NWMA website.