The UNI-Dome in Iowa transforms into the epicenter of high school football action when its lights flicker to life. Hosting the semifinals and championship games for decades, it’s a place where the intensity and excitement of Iowa high school football truly come alive.
Semifinal week spans four action-packed days, with different classes taking the field on specific days. The eight-player games kick things off on Wednesday, followed by Class A and Class 4A on Thursday. On Friday, it’s the turn of Class 1A and Class 5A, and the weekend wraps up with Class 2A and Class 3A on Saturday. Each day, the first class has games at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., while the second class follows with games at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
If you can’t be in Cedar Falls this week to witness the excitement in person, there are still ways to catch all the action. Here’s your guide on how to watch the 2023 Iowa high school football semifinals.
How to Watch the Iowa High School Football Semifinals
While a legal battle unfolds between the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa High School Sports Network over whether streaming of Iowa high school sporting events should be chargeable, the current news may not be what fans were hoping for when it comes to free livestreams.
The IHSSN is offering the option to watch individual games for $9.99 plus tax, or you can opt for a state football tournament pass for $18.99 plus tax. With the tournament pass, you gain access to all 14 semifinal matchups and all seven championship games. It also allows for two concurrent livestreams and provides 30 days of unlimited viewing.
Additional viewing options are available. All the semifinal games will be broadcasted on IHSSN network affiliates, including Mediacom (MC22), Aureon, Premier Communications, and The Community Agency (TCA). For Mediacom subscribers, MC22 can be found on channel 22, 722, or 822. Alternatively, you can watch MC22 online with an active Mediacom login.
As for the ongoing debate surrounding IHSSN’s charges for streaming, the IHSAA issued a statement on November 6, which reads:
“The IHSAA is currently engaged in litigation with the Iowa High School Sports Network (IHSSN), the present rights holder for select championship events. IHSSN intends to impose charges for live streaming viewers of the forthcoming IHSAA State Football Semifinals and Finals at the UNI-Dome. We have voiced our objections to IHSSN’s live streaming fees since their announcement earlier this summer. The dispute is still pending in Polk County District Court.
“The IHSAA remains committed to securing free public access to broadcasts and streaming of its championship events. Until this is resolved, attending IHSAA championships in person allows fans to support our schools directly and ensures that proceeds contribute to student-athlete programs and experiences.”
