Iowa’s football schedule for 2027 has a notable change at the top. The Hawkeyes will now host North Dakota at Kinnick Stadium on August 28, 2027, moving the game up from its previous spot on September 18.
The new date gives Iowa a season-opening home game and adjusts the non-conference part of the Iowa football schedule to fit the NCAA’s new 14-week regular season, which begins in 2027. Under that format, FBS programs may begin most seasons during Week Zero, which is set to become the standard Week 1.
What changed for Iowa
Before the update, Iowa was scheduled to host North Dakota on September 18, 2027. Now the North Dakota Fighting Hawks will visit Iowa City on August 28, making the matchup the first game of the season for Iowa.
This is a straightforward but important scheduling shift. Opening at home is always a useful setup, especially when a team can settle in before the rest of the calendar gets underway. For Iowa, it also clears the way for the rest of its non-conference slate to stay aligned with the new regular-season structure.
What else is on the non-conference slate
Iowa’s other 2027 non-conference games remain in place. The Hawkeyes are scheduled to host Ball State on September 4 and play at Iowa State on September 11.
The North Dakota game also adds another chapter to a long-running series between Iowa and North Dakota. Iowa defeated North Dakota 40-17 on Oct. 9, 1926 at Kinnick Stadium, and the 2027 meeting will be the next chance for the programs to renew that matchup.
For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: Iowa’s 2027 season will begin one week earlier than planned, with North Dakota now set for August 28 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
