Iowa State Partners with Oak View Group for Events at Jack Trice, Stephens

The $200 million entertainment district near the university's sports venues has a new name and development plan.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:26pm

A cubist, geometric painting featuring overlapping planes of cardinal red and gold, dynamically representing the action and atmosphere of a sporting event or concert at an Iowa State University venue.A conceptual illustration captures the energy and excitement of future events at Iowa State's revitalized sports and entertainment district.Ames Today

Iowa State University has announced a partnership with Oak View Group, a leading venue management and event booking company, to manage events and programming at the school's Jack Trice Stadium and Stephens Auditorium. This is part of a larger $200 million entertainment district development project near the university's sports venues in Ames.

Why it matters

The new partnership with Oak View Group is expected to bring more high-profile events and concerts to Iowa State's campus, boosting the school's profile and providing additional revenue streams. The entertainment district development is also a key part of the university's efforts to revitalize the Ames community and create a more vibrant campus experience.

The details

Under the new agreement, Oak View Group will be responsible for booking and managing events at Jack Trice Stadium, home of the Iowa State Cyclones football team, as well as Stephens Auditorium, the university's premier performing arts venue. Oak View Group is known for its expertise in venue management and event programming, having worked with numerous professional sports teams and major entertainment acts.

  • Iowa State University announced the partnership with Oak View Group on April 1, 2026.
  • The $200 million entertainment district development project near Jack Trice Stadium is expected to be completed by 2028.

The players

Oak View Group

A leading venue management and event booking company that has worked with numerous professional sports teams and major entertainment acts.

Iowa State University

A public research university located in Ames, Iowa, known for its strong athletics programs, including the Cyclones football team.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to partner with Oak View Group and leverage their proven track record of success in booking high-profile events and managing world-class venues.”

— Wendy Wintersteen, President, Iowa State University

“This partnership will allow us to bring even more exciting events and entertainment options to the Ames community and Iowa State's campus.”

— Tim Leiweke, CEO, Oak View Group

What’s next

The university and Oak View Group plan to announce the first slate of events and concerts at Jack Trice Stadium and Stephens Auditorium later this year, as the entertainment district development project continues to take shape.

The takeaway

This partnership with Oak View Group is a strategic move by Iowa State University to enhance the campus experience, attract more visitors to Ames, and generate additional revenue streams through high-profile events and entertainment programming.