Cy-Hawk dual set for Nov 22, Iowa hosts
Iowa State's schedule release pins the in-state rivalry dual to a date, and Ross Bartachek flagged what it means for Drake Ayala.
Iowa State released its 2026-27 schedule and the Cy-Hawk dual is locked in for November 22. IAwrestle reported the date and noted it is Iowa's turn to host the in-state rivalry dual. That puts the biggest date on the Iowa folkstyle calendar inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena before Thanksgiving.
Ross Bartachek pulled out the wrinkle that makes it land differently this year. Per Bartachek, the November 22 date means Drake Ayala makes his first appearance back inside Carver almost immediately, only now from the team's bench rather than on the mat.
What the sources say
IAwrestle's post is the confirmation, sourced to the schedule Iowa State put out. Nothing in the release changes who hosts in future years, only that the 2026-27 edition belongs to Iowa.
Brent Metcalf reacted to the schedule with a short post, "Ready to get this thing rolling!" No further detail on the rest of the Cyclone slate has been reported beyond the Cy-Hawk date.
Ready to get this thing rolling!
Why it matters
Cy-Hawk is the one dual that both fan bases circle regardless of how the rankings shake out, and having it in Iowa City in late November front-loads it instead of leaving it as a February capstone. For Ayala, a Hawkeye fixture, the first trip back into that building comes in a different role and in front of the same crowd.
Things to watch: the rest of Iowa State's 2026-27 dual schedule as it fills in, and whether Iowa's own release matches the November 22 date.
Iowa State have released their 2026-27 scheduled, which confirms this year’s Cy-Hawk dual will take place on November 22nd.
Wasting no time for Drake Ayala to make his first appearance back inside Carver, but this time on the team’s bench