IOWA CITY — For the first time in more than a decade, Iowa and Northern Iowa will meet on the wrestling mat in Cedar Falls.

The University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa announced Tuesday a two-year, home-and-home wrestling series that will renew one of the state’s premier collegiate rivalries.

The series begins Dec. 11, when Northern Iowa hosts Iowa in the “Dual in the Dome,” presented by Journeymen Wrestling, inside the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The dual is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The return matchup will be held during the 2027-28 season at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. A date has not been announced.

The Dec. 11 dual will mark Iowa’s first trip to Cedar Falls for a wrestling dual since 2010 and gives the Panthers a home meeting with the Hawkeyes for the first time in 16 years.

“We are fired up to wrestle UNI again,” Iowa coach Tom Brands said in a statement. “This is an important dual for our state, our sport and our fans. We look forward to competing in a tremendous atmosphere in the UNI-Dome.”

Northern Iowa coach Doug Schwab also welcomed the agreement.

“This is a great day for wrestling in Iowa,” Schwab said. “Our fans have wanted this matchup, and we’re excited to host Iowa in the UNI-Dome. Opportunities like this showcase the passion for wrestling across our state.”

UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin and Iowa Director of Athletics Beth Goetz also praised the agreement, calling the series an opportunity to highlight two of the state’s nationally recognized wrestling programs while creating a marquee event for fans.

The programs have met regularly throughout their histories, but recent matchups have been limited. The Dec. 11 dual restores an in-state contest that has been absent from the schedule in recent seasons and is expected to draw one of the largest wrestling crowds in Cedar Falls in years.

Ticket information for the 2026 dual will be announced at a later date, according to the schools. The event will be streamed live on FloWrestling.