Carver–Hawkeye Arena
Carver–Hawkeye Arena is a basketball arena in Iowa City, Iowa, home of the Iowa Hawkeyes (Big Ten, NCAA Division I). It opened in 1983, making it 43 years old in 2026 and seats 15,500 for basketball. That makes it the 19th-largest arena in D-I.
Its record crowd is 22,157 (women's) vs. Ohio State (1985). The closest NBA arena is United Center in Chicago, about 200 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- Iowa City, Iowa
- Home of
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- School
- University of Iowa
- Conference
- Big Ten
- Opened
- 1983
- Capacity
- 15,500
- Record crowd
- 22,157 (women's) vs. Ohio State (1985)
- Also home to
- Iowa women's basketball
Iowa volleyball
Iowa wrestling
Iowa gymnastics - Size rank in D-I
- 19th of 360
Famous games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
- Jan. 5, 1983: Iowa plays its first men's game in the new arena, two days after it opens, and loses to Michigan State.
- Feb. 3, 1985: A record crowd of 22,157 packs the arena to watch the Iowa women face Ohio State.
- Feb. 15, 2024: Caitlin Clark breaks Kelsey Plum's NCAA women's career scoring record in a 106-89 win over Michigan.
- May 4, 2025: Clark returns with the Indiana Fever, who rout Brazil 108-44 in a WNBA preseason game.
Seating & views at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Carver-Hawkeye opened in January 1983 and was renovated in 2009-11. Its listed capacity has crept down over the years, from 15,500 at opening to 14,998 since 2023. A 14.5-by-26-foot center-hung scoreboard was added in 2016. Look for the No. 22 logo on the court marking the spot where Caitlin Clark hit the shot that broke the NCAA women's career scoring record.
Parking & tailgating at Carver–Hawkeye Arena
Carver-Hawkeye is on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, and event parking is run by the university. Check the Hawkeyes' basketball game-day page for the current lots, permit rules and any pre-pay options before you go, especially for big Big Ten games and women's games, which have drawn sellout crowds in recent seasons.
Plan your trip to Carver–Hawkeye Arena
Arenas near Carver–Hawkeye Arena10
- 1D-IMcLeod Center — Northern Iowa Panthers 73 mi
- 2D-IWestern Hall — Western Illinois Leathernecks 93 mi
- 3D-IKnapp Center — Drake Bulldogs 105 mi
- 4G LeagueCasey's Center — Iowa Wolves 107 mi
- 5D-IHilton Coliseum — Iowa State Cyclones 109 mi
- 6D-ICarver Arena — Bradley Braves 118 mi
- 7D-IConvocation Center — Northern Illinois Huskies 145 mi
- 8D-IKohl Center — Wisconsin Badgers 148 mi
- 9D-ICEFCU Arena — Illinois State Redbirds 154 mi
- 10G LeagueNow Arena — Windy City Bulls 174 mi
Questions about Carver–Hawkeye Arena
Where do the Iowa Hawkeyes play home games?
The Iowa Hawkeyes play at Carver–Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
How many people does Carver–Hawkeye Arena hold?
Carver–Hawkeye Arena seats 15,500 for basketball.
When did Carver–Hawkeye Arena open?
Carver–Hawkeye Arena opened in 1983.
What is the attendance record at Carver–Hawkeye Arena?
The record crowd at Carver–Hawkeye Arena is 22,157 (women's) vs. Ohio State (1985).
What other arenas are near Carver–Hawkeye Arena?
McLeod Center in Cedar Falls is about 73 miles away. See the full list of nearby arenas on this page.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your arena? Get the “Listed on Hoops Arenas” badge for your website.