Massive Crowd Headed to Kinnick Doubleheader Saturday & Important Parking Information

Wrestling and football fans in Eastern Iowa have answered the call in a huge way for a historic-making doubleheader Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. Parking could be a big issue, so here's what you need to know.

Iowa and Oklahoma State start the day at 11:03 Saturday morning with the Grapple on the Gridiron. Neither team has had a dual meet yet this year and it's always fun when the Cowboys and Hawkeyes get together. They don't like each other. Period. Iowa is ranked fourth in this week's USA Today/NWCA rankings while Oklahoma State is ranked number one. If you've never been to a dual between these two, you should definitely go and Saturday is absolutely the day to do it. You'll be in good company... just before 11 Friday (11/13) morning the University of Iowa Sports Information Department reported that 36,433 people had purchased tickets for the dual. That's more than 20,000 more than the previous college dual record in the U.S. The mark now stands at 15,996 by Penn State in 2013. Good luck getting it back Nittany Lions... Iowa's nowhere near done selling tickets yet.

Add those fans to the 70,585 that have sold out Kinnick Stadium for the Blackout Game versus Minnesota (7:12 pm/Big Ten Network) and Iowa's already sold 107,018 tickets. That's roughly the combined populations of Iowa City and Marion.

Those numbers mean parking issues and traffic concerns in general. Here's in-depth information from the University of Iowa that will be helpful. I'll see you Saturday for the Grapple on the Gridiron. What a fun day it will be...

GRAPPLE ON THE GRIDIRON PARKING INFORMATION
Football parking will be in effect on Saturday, Nov. 14 beginning at 6 a.m. and continue through the end of the Football game against Minnesota, which begins at 7 p.m.  What does this mean for you?
1) If you have a Football parking pass, nothing changes from what you’ve done at previous home football games this season.  Your parking pass will allow you to park in your assigned lot (and space, where applicable). Each football parking pass is good for one entry into the specified lot, which means that you will not be able to park for wrestling, leave the lot, then come back to park for the Football game. Once in the lot, the parking pass cannot be used for another entry.  This isn’t a change from any other game but is important to note as parking pass holders may have considered “loaning” their parking pass to friends who plan to attend the Grapple on the Gridiron.
2) If you have a Grapple on the Gridiron ticket, but DO NOT have a Football parking pass, there will be no public parking available in University Lots or Ramps close to Kinnick Stadium as they will be reserved for Football parking pass holders.  The following options have been set‐up for “Grapple on the Gridiron” fans without football parking passes to enjoy FREE parking, along with FREE shuttle service to and from the Grapple on the Gridiron.  These parking options will be at a premium, and fans are encouraged to show up early to take advantage of them:
a. If you have Grapple on the Gridiron AND Football Tickets, we encourage you to park at the Hancher (55), Hawkeye Commuter (85) or Hall of Fame (71) lots, which will have dedicated shuttle service running from 8 a.m. until one hour after the football game ends.  The Hawkeye Commuter and Hall of Fame shuttles will drop‐off and pick‐up at the south entrance of Carver‐Hawkeye Arena.  The Hancher shuttles will drop‐off and pick‐up at the VA Loop on Newton Road. Please see the parking and shuttle map link at the bottom for locations.
b. If you plan to attend the Grapple on the Gridiron (but not the Football game), you are encouraged to park at Iowa City West High School, a short 1.5 miles away from Kinnick Stadium.  There will be a dedicated shuttle running from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. between West High School and the Krause Family Plaza, immediately south of Kinnick Stadium.  Following the Grapple on the Gridiron, fans can re‐board these shuttles outside the Krause Family Plaza near Melrose Avenue.  (Please note that there will be no shuttle service back to West High School after 3 p.m.  Fans planning to attend the Football game later that evening should utilize the Hancher, Hawkeye Commuter or Hall of Fame lot shuttles, which will continue to run until one hour after the Football game ends.)
3) Fans who wish to pay to park can do so at the Finkbine Golf Course driving range, the UI softball lot, Lower Finkbine lot, University Lot 3 (Main Library) or 11 (Madison and Court Street) for $20 while space is available. The Newton Road Ramp is also available at the applicable hourly rate.  Please see the parking and shuttle map link below for locations.

ADA parking for Grapple on the Gridiron fans will be available in Hospital Ramp 3 (NE of Kinnick Stadium) and Hospital Ramp 4 (near the Field House).  Entry will require a valid, state‐issued ADA parking placard, and payment of $20 (game day parking fee).

The Hawkeye Express will not be available during the Grapple on the Gridiron.  The Hawkeye Express will begin service at 3:00 PM and continue until 90 minutes after the end of the Football game.

KHAK Grapple on the Gridiron Parking Map

[via ESPN]