Will the Iowa-Ohio State game challenge the Carver-Hawkeye Arena attendance record?
Carver-Hawkeye Arena has bore witness to some legendary moments since opening in 1983, with more surely to come. The arena holds 15,000 people (for seated tickets), making it one of the top 25 largest university-owned facilities in the country. But on several occasions, more than 15,000 Hawkeye fans have packed into their home arena.
In the 2023-24 athletic season alone, the arena has been the landmark for some of the greatest moments in Iowa sports history. Much of it has to do with Caitlin Clark, one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time. During her career, all but two of Carver-Hawkeye Arena's sellout crowds have happened.
Clark plays her final home game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in what is the most expensive women's basketball event in history. Tickets average out to $557, while standing-room-only tickets will still cost fans upwards of $350. It's not the first or even the second time the Hawkeyes have set such a record. The five most expensive women's basketball games, and seven of the top 10, professional or collegiate, were played at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
It shouldn't be too surprising though, as 55,646 fans swarmed to Kinnick Stadium to watch the women's team take on DePaul back in November, setting the NCAA women's basketball attendance record. While that many fans simply can't fit into the arena on Sunday, the Hawkeye faithful are a passionate bunch for this team. Could Iowa fans challenge the Carver-Hawkeye Arena's all-time attendance record?
The attendance record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena was set back in 1985 by the women's basketball team as 22,157 saw the Hawkeyes fall short against Ohio State 65-47.
That's a steep record to challenge, especially with the ticket prices of the game. But those who have yet to see Clark and her teammates in person or fans who want to experience one more magical moment when she takes the all-time NCAA scoring record may be willing to shell out the cash. A win over the regular season Big Ten champions would only make the moment that much sweeter.
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