Hail Mary: Iowa has two women's tackle football teams you can see this summer

Iowa's two women's tackle football teams in 2024: the Iowa Phoenix and the Cedar Raptors.

By Amie Rivers

April 16, 2024

Do you like football? Do you like women’s sports? Have we got great news for you this summer!

Women’s tackle football has been around Iowa for the last two decades, and teams (and leagues) have come and gone in that time. (Diehards will remember the Iowa Crush, which played under the now-defunct Independent Women’s Football League.)

Women’s tackle is similar to the men’s game: It’s played with 11 on 11 on a 100-yard field, wearing full shoulder pads and helmets. So if you like and are already familiar with that game, it’s pretty self-explanatory!

This year, there are two women’s tackle football teams in Iowa—both in the Women’s Football Alliance league—and one is brand-new for the season! Here’s more information about both:

Iowa Phoenix

An Iowa Phoenix player catches a pass in this undated photo from the Iowa Phoenix website.

When they started: The Iowa Phoenix’s inaugural season was in 2019. In 2021, they were the Midwest Regional D3 Champions.

Where they play: Valley Stadium, West Des Moines

Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for kids 5-10 years old, free for kids under 5. Season tickets, which include all three home games, are $22.

2024 Home Schedule:

Midwest Mountain Lions vs. Iowa Phoenix: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Nebraska Pride vs. Iowa Phoenix: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4
Minnesota Vixen vs. Iowa Phoenix: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18

More information: https://iowaphoenixfootball.com/

Cedar Raptors

A Cedar Raptors player runs the ball during a scrimmage with Iowa Phoenix players in this undated photo from the Cedar Raptors website.

When they started: The Cedar Raptors were founded last year and this will be their inaugural season.

Where they play: Clark Field, Coe College, Cedar Rapids

Tickets: $10 for adults, free for kids 12 and under.

2024 Home Schedule:

Iowa Phoenix vs. Cedar Raptors: 6 p.m. Saturday, May 11
Midwest Mountain Lions vs. Cedar Raptors: 6 p.m. Saturday, May 18
Minnesota Minx vs. Cedar Raptors: 6 p.m. Saturday, June 1

More information: https://www.cedarraptors.com/

Amie Rivers

Amie Rivers is Starting Line's community editor, labor reporter and newsletter snarker-in-chief. Previously, she was an award-winning journalist at the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier; now, she very much enjoys making TikToks and memes. Send all story tips and pet photos to [email protected] and sign up for our newsletter here.

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CATEGORIES: SPORTS

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