University of Northern Iowa Athletics (UNI) and Learfield’s Panther Sports Properties today announced an expanded sponsorship initiative that will bring naming rights for the iconic UNI-Dome to market for the first time in the facility’s 50-year history.
As one of the most recognizable landmarks in the state of Iowa and the longtime home of UNI football and indoor track & field, the UNI-Dome hosts a wide array of events, including college football games, indoor track & field meets, Iowa high school football state championships, concerts, and other special events. The expanded scope of work between Northern Iowa Athletics and Panther Sports Properties reflects a strategic effort to identify a naming rights partner that will help support the continued growth and success of Panther Athletics while preserving the UNI-Dome’s legacy for generations to come.
“We are pleased to announce the partnership with Learfield to identify a naming partner for the UNI-Dome,” said Dr. Megan Franklin, UNI Director of Athletics. “The iconic venue has hosted concerts featuring the greatest artists of all-time, bestowed champions among Iowa high school football teams, crowned indoor track & field champions, is a host site for industry shows, niche and large scale competitions such as youth robotics championships to National Wrestling Duals, community service, and civic events.
“The UNI-Dome has been a point of pride in the State of Iowa, the Cedar Valley, and the University of Northern Iowa for 50 years,” Franklin added. “The opportunity to partner with a corporate sponsor with a named venue is the perfect launch for the next era.”
In celebration of the 50th anniversary in 2026, the university has invested in a transformational renovation that modernizes the fan experience through enhanced seating, premium amenities, accessibility improvements, and upgraded infrastructure with a new seating capacity of approximately 12,200 with the ability to reach nearly 20,000 spectators with certain configurations. These investments position the UNI-Dome naming rights opportunity at a pivotal moment in the venue’s history, offering a partner the ability to become part of its next chapter while benefiting from year-round visibility and engagement.
Beyond the naming rights opportunity, Panther Sports Properties offers an integrated portfolio of sponsorship assets, including football jersey patch activation, field logo sponsorship, digital marketing services, NIL activation, storytelling video content, radio broadcast exposure, and school intellectual property integration, providing brand partners with one of the most lucrative opportunities to create authentic connections with passionate college sports fans.
“Aligning your brand with the UNI-Dome represents an incredibly unique opportunity for the right partner,” said Mike Murray, General Manager of Panther Sports Properties. “As the facility celebrates its golden anniversary and completion of some significant facility enhancements, we’re excited to introduce a naming rights opportunity that allows a company to become part of the next era in its history. We look forward to identifying a partner that shares UNI’s commitment to the Cedar Falls community, Panther Athletics, and creating memorable experiences for fans for years to come.”
Panther Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield – the leading media and technology company powering college athletics – is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for UNI Athletics and collaborates with the Panthers on all sponsorship opportunities.
If you or your brand is interested in naming rights partnership at the UNI-Dome or additional sponsorship opportunities, please contact Panther Sports Properties General Manager Mike Murray today at mike.murray@learfield.com.
