The Iowa Hawkeyes and the University of Connecticut Huskies announced a two-year home-and-home series that will bring the two powerhouse programs together for back-to-back contests beginning in the 2026-27 season.
A Milestone in Women’s College Basketball
UConn will host the first meeting in either Gampel Pavilion in Storrs or Peoples Bank Arena in Hartford during the 2026-27 campaign, while Iowa will welcome the Huskies to Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City the following year.
The specific dates, start times and television partners have not yet been released, leaving fans to await further announcements.
The series marks UConn’s first visit to Iowa City since 1999, a game that concluded the coaching tenure of Angie Lee and ushered Lisa Bluder into the Hawkeye helm.
That 1999 contest also signaled the end of an era for the Hawkeyes and set the stage for the rise of Caitlin Clark, whose 71-69 victory over UConn in the 2024 NCAA semifinals capped her collegiate career.
Just a year later, UConn rebounded with a 90-64 win over Iowa in a regular-season showdown in Brooklyn, New York, showcasing the continued competitiveness of both squads.
UConn’s pedigree includes 12 national championships, the most recent coming in 2025 under longtime coach Geno Auriemma, while Iowa’s resurgence has been driven by a blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent.
What’s Next for the Programs
The upcoming matchups are expected to have major implications for recruiting, conference standings and the national narrative surrounding women’s basketball.
With both schools boasting storied histories and passionate fan bases, the series promises to add another compelling chapter to the rivalry.
Coaches Jan Jensen and Geno Auriemma are already strategizing how to leverage the series for player development and fan engagement, while athletic departments are coordinating logistics across state lines.
The games will be played in venues that have hosted championship moments, adding a layer of prestige to what many expect to be marquee events for the sport.