Best Seats at Jack Trice Stadium
Jack Trice Stadium is the only FBS stadium named for an African American athlete — a fact that hangs over every game day with a weight that’s earned, not manufactured. The Cyclones play in a 61,500-seat open-air bowl carved into the Iowa State Center in Ames, and on a sold-out night under the lights, it’s legitimately one of the louder environments in the Big 12. The stadium underwent a major south end zone renovation in 2015 that completed the bowl and added the Sukup End Zone Club, turning what was a horseshoe into a full enclosure.
One honest reality: Ames is a college town with no major airport nearby, which means gameday crowds are overwhelmingly loyal and the atmosphere carries a grass-roots intensity you don’t get in NFL-stadium college environments. The seating guide below will help you make the most of it.
Seating Guide
Jack Trice seats 61,500 across double-decked grandstands that run the full length of both sidelines and wrap around the south end zone. The north end zone houses the Jacobson Athletic Building — meaning it’s a structure, not seating — so the open sightline at that end gives the stadium a distinctly open feeling on the north side. The primary axis runs roughly north-south, with the press box sitting atop the west upper deck. The difference between a great seat and a frustrating one here is usually a combination of sun exposure (September games can be brutal on the west side) and elevation — the lower bowl is tight and atmospheric, the upper deck is exposed but gives you a wide overhead view of every play.
Best Non-Premium Seats
Lower East Sideline (Sections 101–115 range): The east sideline lower bowl is the sweet spot for general admission fans who want to be in the action. You’re on the opposite side from the press box, which means the sun is largely behind you for late afternoon kickoffs rather than in your face. Sightlines in the lower rows are excellent — this is a traditional football stadium where the field feels genuinely close. The tradeoff is that when the west side gets shaded by the press box structure in the final hours of a late game, you lose that advantage; but for early-to-mid afternoon kicks, east sideline lower bowl is the call.
West Sideline Lower Bowl (Sections 126–130 range): The west side has the press box and the premium club infrastructure overhead, which means the sightlines are great and the infrastructure around you is newer. The tradeoff is direct afternoon sun for September and early October games — if you’re sitting here for a noon or 2:30 kickoff in September, come with sunscreen and water. For evening games or late October matchups, this is arguably the better side to be on.
Upper Deck Sideline — 40-to-40 Window: The upper deck at Jack Trice is bleacher seating without chairbacks, so comfort is limited. That said, sections aligned between the 40-yard lines give you an unobstructed overhead view that works well for watching offensive formations develop. A useful note from RateYourSeats reviewers: rows 20 and above in upper deck sections D-F do pick up shade from the press box as the afternoon sun swings west — though in late October, that’s a cold shadow rather than a welcome one.
Best Value Seats
Upper Deck End Zone: The south end zone upper area offers the cheapest seats in the house with a direct view of the scoreboard on the Jacobson Building. You’re close to the student section energy in the south end zone, and the sight angle isn’t as bad as you’d expect for end zone seating. Good for fans who want to be loud and in the mix without spending for sideline positioning.
Budget Option
Hillside Seats (Corner Areas): Jack Trice has hillside seating in the corner sections that fills out its official 61,500 capacity. These are the cheapest tickets in the building and they’re exactly what they sound like — grassy berm-style seating with limited structure. Fine for a beautiful fall day, less fine for night games in November. But if you’re budget-constrained and in it for the atmosphere, these get you inside the gates.
Our Pick
For a first-time visitor, aim for the lower east sideline between the 30-yard lines. You get the intimate lower-bowl atmosphere, reasonable sun angles for afternoon games, and a genuine sense of being right at the game. Don’t overthink the section number — anywhere in that general corridor is a good seat at this stadium.
Weather & Shade Reality
Jack Trice runs roughly north-south, with the press box on the west upper deck. For afternoon kickoffs from September through mid-October — the prime part of the Big 12 schedule — the west sideline sections take direct afternoon sun, particularly in the lower bowl where there’s no overhead structure to provide relief. East sideline seats shade up earlier in the afternoon as the sun tracks west. If you’re attending a September game and have flexibility, pick the east side for comfort. For evening games or late November weather, this calculus flips: the west side’s press box infrastructure provides a psychological windbreak, and where you sit matters a lot less than how many layers you’ve brought.
Seats To Avoid
North End Zone Area: The Jacobson Athletic Building fills the north end zone, so what seating exists there is limited and angled. If you end up in a corner section near the north end, you’re watching play at the far end of the field develop away from you. Not a disaster for an atmosphere game, but avoid if you care about actually watching football.
West Lower Bowl (September Day Games): This isn’t a permanently bad seat — it’s great in the evening and terrific in October. But a noon kickoff on a sunny September Saturday on the west lower sideline means you’re staring into direct sunlight for most of the first half. If that’s your ticket, bring sunglasses and don’t skip the sunscreen.
Worth It Once — Sukup End Zone Club: The Sukup End Zone Club seats sit right behind the south end zone goalpost, with access to a climate-controlled indoor lounge. As a pure football seat, you’re watching the game from directly behind the play. Which I actually like, some don’t though. As an experience — especially for an October night game — it’s the most social and comfortable spot in the building. The lounge access is genuinely good. Worth trying once even if you don’t come back to the same spot.
Premium Seating & Clubs
Jack Trice has two primary premium options, and their philosophies are completely different from each other.
Jack Trice Club — East Sideline: Located on the east side of the stadium, the Jack Trice Club is an open-air club section with radiant heating built into the seats — which is a legitimately smart amenity for November in Iowa. The section offers panoramic views of the field, 11 HD televisions on the concourse, and a display of historic Iowa State football helmets. Access requires a Cyclone Club membership at the $9,000+ annual level plus a per-seat fee (around $2,010/seat/season). Single-game availability exists but is limited — contact the Cyclone Club directly.
Sukup End Zone Club — South End Zone: The marquee premium space at Jack Trice. Three thousand outdoor seats overlook the field from the south end zone, with access to a climate-controlled two-level indoor lounge. It’s the closest thing Jack Trice has to a traditional party deck, and it’s the premium option that’s most accessible for visiting fans looking for an upgrade. Check availability through the Iowa State Athletics ticket office.
Suites & Group Options: Forty-three suites run along two levels of the west sideline, accommodating 16–32 people depending on size. Suites are primarily held on multi-year contracts with limited single-game availability.
Jack Trice Stadium Seating Chart
Jack Trice Stadium offers a great mix of views, whether you want sideline sightlines, student-section energy, or a more relaxed spot for families. Here is the updated Jack Trice Stadium Seating Chart to compare sections and find the right fit for your Iowa State football gameday.
Ticket Tips for Iowa State Games
Iowa State football has genuinely elevated itself into a consistent Big 12 contender under Matt Campbell, which means demand has grown noticeably. Big rivalry games (Kansas State, Iowa) and any top-10 matchup will see secondary market prices spike significantly above face value — sometimes $200–$400 a ticket. For non-marquee games against mid-tier opponents, secondary market prices often fall below face value as game day approaches, especially for upper-deck seats. Average 2025 resale pricing ran roughly $90–$143 depending on opponent. Student general admission seats are a different system — it’s first-come, first-served at the east side gate, so students who want front-row positioning should plan to line up well before the 90-minute gate opening.
Get tickets here: Vivid Seats — Jack Trice Stadium
Jack Trice Stadium Bag Policy
Clear bags only. Permitted: clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC totes not exceeding 12″×6″×12″ (logo no larger than 4.5″×3.5″); one-gallon clear Ziploc-style bags; and small clutch bags no larger than 4.5″×6.5″ with or without a strap. Exceptions for medical, family, and childcare needs. One 20-ounce unopened or empty water bottle is allowed per person.
Key Venue Policies
Cashless or Cash? Jack Trice is fully cashless. Bring a card or have your mobile payment ready before you get to concessions. There’s no indication of cash-to-card kiosks on site, so plan ahead.
Accessibility: ADA seating is available throughout the stadium, with assistive listening devices available at Guest Services on both the East and West concourses. Service animals are welcome — check in with Guest Services on arrival for designated seating areas. The official accessibility guide is available via Iowa State Athletics at cyclones.com.
Parking lots open 6 hours before kickoff. Iowa state law limits tailgating to beer and wine — no hard liquor or open bottles of hard liquor on university grounds. No glass bottles or kegs in parking lots.
Smoking and vaping prohibited inside the stadium in compliance with Iowa’s Smoke-Free Air Act.
Maximum tent size for tailgating is 10’×10′ per space. Tailgating is limited to your one purchased parking space.
Tailgating on elevated surfaces (truck beds, roofs, trailers) is prohibited.
Full policy details: Cyclone Gameday
Iowa State Gameday Insider Tips & Hacks
Jack Trice is the kind of place where fans arrive three hours early by choice, not obligation — the tailgate lots, the cardinal-and-gold energy, and a stadium that punches well above its weight make this one of college football’s most underrated gameday experiences. First-timers are routinely surprised by how intimate 61,500 seats can feel, and by how genuinely welcoming Cyclone Nation is to strangers in their house. Come ready to dance, because the Juicy Wiggle waits for no one.
Arrival & Parking
Know your lot tier before you pull off I-35. Donor-pass lots sit immediately adjacent to the stadium and are off-limits without credentials. Non-donors have three good options: the Vet Med grass lots to the south (first-come, first-served, family-friendly vibe), the ISU Bookstore parking ramp near campus (cheap to free, about a 20-minute walk), or the residential streets north of Lincoln Way around N. Maple, N. Hazel, or N. Russell Ave. The north street option is about a mile out but pays off enormously at the final whistle.
The stealth exit starts at arrival. If you park north of Lincoln Way, you can leave after the game by heading north to 13th Street, cutting over to I-35, and getting on the highway while most of the stadium lots are still gridlocked. Fans on Reddit call this the single best parking decision you can make at Jack Trice — it turns a 45-minute wait into a 10-minute drive.
CyRide gets you surprisingly close. The City of Ames officially recommends taking CyRide to reduce stadium congestion. Catch the #1 East or #3 route to Lincoln Way and Beach, then walk in from there. It’s not a dedicated shuttle — it’s a standard fixed route — but it deposits you close enough to walk in comfortably and sidesteps the post-game gridlock entirely.
Last resort: the Prked app. If you’re arriving late or the main lots are already full, Prked lets you reserve a private driveway or garage from residents near the stadium. It’s cheaper than official lots and you can often book a day or two ahead to lock in a spot within easy walking distance.
Tailgating & Traditions
Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff — use that time in the lots. The tailgate scene around Jack Trice is a legitimate destination unto itself. The RV Village on the west side of the stadium draws serious setups, old school buses painted cardinal and gold serve as mobile fan headquarters throughout the lots, and the energy builds steadily from mid-morning. Walk the lots before heading in — it’s part of the experience.
Respect the Red Line. In the paved donor lots, red lines are painted on the pavement to keep drive lanes clear. Your tents, chairs, and coolers must stay behind those lines. Staff enforce it consistently, and cars are still moving through well into pregame. Learn where the line is the moment you set up.
The Hy-Vee Pop-Up is in the RV Village. If you forget ice, charcoal, or snacks, there is often a Hy-Vee Pop-Up Shop in the heart of the RV Village. It saves you from abandoning your spot to hunt down a gas station and is the kind of amenity that regulars quietly depend on.
The Tornado Siren is not an accident. When the Cyclones take the field or a big third down arrives, listen for the Ames tornado siren cutting through the stadium. It’s a deliberately local touch that sets the tone for Jack Trice’s home-field identity and genuinely sends a chill through the crowd on a cold October night.
Walk the Five-Star Bridge before kickoff. The pedestrian bridge connecting the main parking areas to the stadium is a gameday ritual for regulars and one of the best photo spots at Jack Trice. Cross it before the game when the wave of fans in cardinal and gold is at its peak — the visual is worth arriving early enough to experience.
Inside the Stadium
Download tickets before you leave home — non-negotiable. Cell service at Jack Trice degrades fast as the crowd builds. The entry gates are a consistent bottleneck of fans trying to load tickets on a 5G signal that doesn’t exist. Save everything to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet before you leave your hotel. This is the #1 piece of advice experienced Cyclone fans give to every first-timer.
Concessions are 100% cashless. No cash is accepted anywhere inside Jack Trice Stadium. Have a physical card or mobile pay ready before you get in a food line. This catches out-of-towners off guard when lines are long and fumbling costs you time.
The pork tenderloin is the move. Campbell’s has served pork tenderloins at Jack Trice for years and they’re a genuine local staple. Also worth seeking out: fried Twinkies (yes, actually good) and cheese curds. These are the items that make Jack Trice’s concessions feel like more than a standard stadium food operation. Grab the tenderloin before halftime when lines double.
The Clone Cone is a required stop. The red-and-yellow twisted soft serve — known as the Clone Cone — is the signature stadium treat and the go-to photo op. Find it in the lower concourse and get your shot before the September sun has its way with it.
Bring an empty water bottle. Jack Trice allows empty reusable water bottles through the gates, and there are filling stations positioned around the concourse. On a 90-degree September afternoon, this saves money and keeps you comfortable in a way that buying from concession stands cannot match.
The Juicy Wiggle is mandatory participation. In the second half — usually the third quarter when the Cyclones are building a lead or need a spark — Redfoo’s “Juicy Wiggle” plays and the entire stadium breaks into a synchronized arm-swing dance. This is the most “you had to be there” moment at Jack Trice. Watch the people around you and follow along. Tourists who stand still are easy to spot.
Better connectivity near Sukup End Zone Club. If you need to check scores or send a photo, the Sukup End Zone Club area has noticeably better connectivity than the rest of the stadium. For most of Jack Trice, assume you’re operating offline — plan your communications accordingly.
Instagrammable Spots & The Stadium’s Story
Stop at the Jack Trice memorial. Jack Trice Stadium is the only FBS venue named after an African-American individual. Trice, a player who died from injuries sustained in a 1923 game at Minnesota — injuries many of his teammates believed were racially motivated — is memorialized at the stadium entrance. Take two minutes to read it. It completely reframes the meaning of the place you’re walking into.
Fire cones at the tunnel — get your camera ready. When the Cyclones come onto the field, columns of fire shoot up in front of the tunnel entrance. Position yourself with a clear sightline to the south tunnel before kickoff. It happens fast and it’s one of the better stadium entrance moments in the Big 12.
The halftime banner from the student section. After halftime, the student section unfurls a massive Iowa State banner that covers half their seats. If you’re seated on the opposite side of the stadium, watch for it — seen from across the field, it’s a clean, wide-angle shot and a genuine piece of Cyclone tradition.
Families & Kids
Hillside tickets are the family secret. The NW and NE hillside berm areas at the north end of the stadium are first-come, first-served general admission — the cheapest tickets in the building. They attract a lot of families, offer room to move, and have solid sight lines for kids who don’t sit still for four hours in a traditional seat. Check the Iowa State ticketing site for hillside availability before assuming they’re sold out.
Junior Cyclone Club for young fans. ISU’s Junior Cyclone Club program is built for younger fans and includes gameday perks that make the experience feel special for kids. Check the Cyclones website before your visit for enrollment details and what it includes for the specific game.
Leave the stroller at the hotel. Strollers are not permitted inside Jack Trice Stadium. A baby carrier is the practical alternative. The hillside berm areas give families the most flexibility with young children — more room to stand, sit on the grass, and move without disturbing seated neighbors.
Exit Strategy
The band concert buys you time. After a Cyclone win, the ISU marching band plays a post-game concert on the north end of the field. If you don’t have a hard checkout or long drive ahead, lingering for 20–30 minutes lets the lots drain and turns the exit from a crawl into a cruise. It’s also genuinely fun.
Know your exit lane before the 4th quarter ends. The stadium lots funnel into a small number of exit corridors — the earlier you understand where yours is, the better. If you parked north of Lincoln Way, start walking at the two-minute warning regardless of score. If you’re in the main lots, the post-game concert is your best friend.
5 More Tips Worth Knowing
Cy never stops moving — flag him down early. The ISU mascot rides into the stadium on what can only be described as a cardinal-and-gold Hummer-golf cart hybrid and spends the entire game looping through sections interacting with fans. If you’ve got kids or want a photo, don’t wait for a second pass — he moves quickly and the whole stadium is his territory.
Check the official gameday page 48 hours out. Iowa State Athletics posts updated parking maps, lot-open times, clear bag policy reminders, and concession stand locations at cyclones.com before every home game. Things shift year to year. Five minutes of pre-trip homework prevents the most common gate-entry headaches.
The souvenir cup is worth buying early. ISU typically sells a large souvenir cup at concessions — it’s sturdy, keeps ice longer than a paper cup, and doubles as a cheap memento of the visit. Buy it at your first concession stop and refill throughout the game instead of buying individual drinks.
Buy secondary market tickets on game day for savings. Because Iowa State doesn’t regularly sell out against non-marquee opponents, game-day prices on third-party sites often dip well below face value. If your schedule is flexible and the matchup is mid-tier, waiting until the morning of the game frequently yields lower-bowl seats for upper-deck prices.
The campus is walkable and worth a loop. Jack Trice sits on the edge of the ISU campus, and the walk from the north parking areas takes you through the heart of it. Give yourself an extra 30 minutes before tailgating to walk the campus — the ISU Memorial Union, the Campanile, and the central lawn give the visit a sense of place that a lot of college football road trips miss entirely.
Getting to Jack Trice Stadium
Jack Trice is in Ames, Iowa — a college town roughly 30 miles north of Des Moines. There’s no light rail or subway, so your options are driving, rideshare, or shuttle.
Driving & Parking: Most fans drive. Permit lots surround the stadium and open 6 hours before kickoff. Pre-purchased parking permits are available through the Iowa State Athletics website and are strongly recommended for marquee games. Cash lots exist on a first-come, first-served basis. Expect $20–$30 for general parking. Lot assignments are based on donor level for Cyclone Club members.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): A reasonable option from downtown Ames (2–3 miles) or from hotels on the edge of campus. Post-game rideshare from the immediate stadium area can take 20+ minutes to find a driver — walk several blocks toward Welch Avenue or the hotel districts before requesting. Surge pricing after sold-out games is real.
Walking from Welch Avenue: Campustown on Welch Avenue is about a mile from the stadium via campus paths. Fans who park downtown or pre-game at the Welch Ave bars typically walk this stretch. It’s a pleasant 15–20 minute walk through campus on a fall afternoon.
Bus: CyRide (Iowa State’s bus system) runs game day service. Check the CyRide website for game-specific routes and schedules — they vary by kickoff time. Free CyRide passes are available to all Iowa State students and are very cheap for non-students.
Hotels Near Jack Trice Stadium
Ames is a mid-sized college town with a solid hotel infrastructure for Big 12 football weekends. For marquee games — the Iowa rivalry game in particular — book at least 6–8 weeks out, as inventory disappears and prices spike. The good news: Ames isn’t a massive city, so most hotels are reasonably close to campus. Des Moines (30 miles south) is a viable overflow option with more hotel inventory, but you’re adding a commute to an already traffic-challenged postgame exit.
Best Areas to Stay
Near Campus / South Ames: The closest cluster to Jack Trice. Hotels here are within walking distance or a short rideshare to the stadium. This is where most visiting fans prefer to stay for the full gameday experience. South Ames along University Boulevard and near the Iowa State Center has several mid-range options.
North Ames / Highway 30 Corridor: A bit more removed from campus but still convenient. Better availability on sold-out weekends when nearby hotels fill. Slightly cheaper and easier to navigate post-game exit to I-35.
Downtown Des Moines (overflow option): If Ames is sold out, Des Moines has a robust hotel scene. You’re looking at a 35–45 minute drive each way, which is manageable if you account for postgame traffic.
Hotel Recommendations
Gateway Hotel & Conference Center (Ames, near campus): The closest full-service hotel to the stadium. Mid-range pricing, well-located for walking to campus. Books fast for big games.
Hilton Garden Inn Ames: Reliable mid-range option near Iowa State Center. Clean, consistent, close enough to walk or take a short rideshare.
Comfort Inn & Suites Ames: Mid-range, solid value, easy interstate access for post-game exit north or south.
Holiday Inn Express Ames University: Consistent budget-mid tier, near North Grand Mall area. Good value for shoulder games.
Budget Options
Sleep Inn & Suites Near ISU Campus (Ames – South Side): Sitting about two miles from the stadium, this hotel offers a free breakfast, free parking, and an indoor pool. It is a very consistent budget pick for fans and avoids some of the deeper campus congestion by being located slightly west of the main university drag.
Red Roof Inn Ames (Ames – East Side): If your priority is saving money for the tailgate and tickets, the Red Roof Inn is located off I-35 on the east side of Ames. You will need to drive or use rideshare to get to the stadium, but it frequently offers some of the lowest rates in the city while still keeping you within city limits.
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham (Ames – East Side)
Also located near the I-35 corridor, this hotel offers bare-bones but reliable accommodations at a very low price point. It is not walkable to Jack Trice, but jumping onto the highway and taking the 13th Street exit puts you right into the stadium traffic flow.
Gameday Scene in Ames
The Ames gameday scene is centered on two areas: the lots surrounding Jack Trice (for tailgaters) and Welch Avenue / Campustown (for the bar and restaurant crowd). Downtown Ames, about two miles north of campus, has a lower-key restaurant scene that’s worth knowing for Friday night dinners or non-bar dining options.
Where to Pregame
Welch Avenue Station: The anchor of the Campustown bar scene for Cyclone fans. Wall-to-wall cardinal and gold on game days, packed from mid-morning through kickoff. Welch Ave’s go-to for atmosphere.
Es Tas Bar & Grill: Indoor bar with tacos, burgers, and a lively game day setup. Popular with both students and alumni. Check age restrictions on game days (21+ policy may apply for some games).
Wallaby’s Bar & Grille: The campus bar with a dedicated Cyclone gameday atmosphere. Has a reputation as a legit sports viewing spot with solid food. More restaurant-feel than dive bar.
Boulder Taphouse: Best beer selection of the Ames options. Less of a rowdy game day atmosphere and more of a quality craft beer spot. Good call for fans who care more about the pour than the crowd.
Best Restaurants
Jethro’s BBQ: The well-known Iowa BBQ chain with an Ames location. Big portions, good for pregame fueling, family-friendly. Not walking distance from the stadium but worth the rideshare.
Café Diem: Downtown Ames coffee and light fare; solid for a Friday night arrival dinner when you don’t want sports bar energy.
4th Bogart’s: Downtown Ames casual American dining with a bar setup. Good for Friday night or post-game winding down.
Why You Should Go
Jack Trice Stadium earns its reputation through atmosphere and meaning rather than luxury. This is a real Big 12 football environment with a passionate fanbase that’s been rewarded with consistent relevance under Matt Campbell — something that was very much not the case for most of this program’s history. The tailgate culture is genuine, the Welch Avenue scene is fun, and the stadium name carries a story worth knowing before you walk through the gates. If you’re a college football traveler building your Big 12 stadium checklist, Jack Trice is an honest, high-quality experience.
Check out all of our college football guides here as well as these regional stadiums as well:
Written by Brad Richards, Founder of Gameday Guides. This guide includes insights from personal visits as well as updated info from team sources, fan forums, and stadium policies. We aim to help you plan with confidence — enjoy your gameday.