The Crimson Tide and the Hawkeyes have agreed to a two‑year neutral‑site series that will see Alabama open the matchup in Des Moines, Iowa, on Dec. 21, 2026, before the teams reconvene in Mobile, Alabama, during the 2027‑28 season. The arrangement was first reported by CBS Sports and 247Sports, and it revives a rivalry that last produced a split of two meetings in 2006 and 2010.
A brief history of the series
Alabama holds a 1‑1 edge in the all‑time meetings, having won the first encounter in 2006 before Iowa turned the tables a year later. Both programs arrived at those games with momentum: Iowa reached the Elite Eight in the most recent NCAA tournament, while Alabama advanced to the Sweet 16. The upcoming series promises to add another chapter to a matchup that has consistently delivered competitive basketball.
Roster turnover has become a defining theme for Alabama heading into the new season. The team lost four players to the transfer portal — Taylor Bol Bowen, Aiden Sherrell, Jalil Bethea and Davion Hannah — while also seeing Labaron Philon Jr. remain in the 2026 NBA Draft. At the same time, Amari Allen withdrew from the NBA Draft and is expected to anchor the 2026‑27 squad. Alabama has countered those departures by adding four transfer‑portal players and retaining five returning athletes, and it will welcome three freshmen to Tuscaloosa this summer.
A packed nonconference slate
The Crimson Tide's 2026‑27 nonconference schedule is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious in recent memory. In addition to the Iowa series, Alabama will test itself against Seton Hall, Baylor and Miami, while also traveling to face Sam Houston. A highly anticipated neutral‑site clash with Houston is slated for the Jimmy V Classic, though the exact date has yet to be announced. The team will also host South Florida in a home‑and‑home arrangement, with the second leg’s date still pending.
The geographic spread of the schedule underscores the program’s intent to showcase its talent on a national stage. Games will be played in Des Moines, Mobile, Miami and other key locations, providing exposure for both the Crimson Tide and their opponents. The series with Iowa, in particular, will bring the Hawkeyes to the Midwest before the teams reconvene in Alabama, creating a narrative that fans on both coasts will follow closely.