University of Northern Iowa Athletics
The McLeod Center, located on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, is a premier athletics facility that has served as the home of Panther sports since its opening in November 2006. With a seating capacity of 6,650, the arena provides an electric and intimate atmosphere for fans attending volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and wrestling events. In addition to hosting competitions, the McLeod Center includes locker rooms and coaching offices for the men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as the volleyball team, ensuring efficient day-to-day operations and team support.
As a central venue for both athletic and university events, the McLeod Center has hosted numerous memorable matchups and record-breaking crowds. The facility’s all-time attendance record was set on February 16, 2025, when 7,348 fans filled the arena to see UNI defeat Iowa State in wrestling. Men’s basketball drew its largest crowd of 7,018 on November 21, 2015, against #1 North Carolina. Volleyball brought in 6,621 fans on September 4, 2013, for a match against Iowa State. Women’s basketball set its attendance record on November 12, 2023, when a sellout crowd of 6,790 watched the Panthers take on the Iowa Hawkeyes, marking the first sellout in UNI women’s basketball history.
The McLeod Center has been a consistent stronghold for UNI teams. The women’s basketball program has never had a season below .500 in the building and boasts a 185-79 all-time record inside the arena. The men’s basketball team has never posted a losing season at home, amassing an impressive 218-67 record in the venue. UNI volleyball has had winning seasons in 17 of the 19 years it has played in the McLeod Center, with a commanding 178-50 all-time home record. Wrestling is the newest addition to the McLeod Center's competition slate, beginning in the 2021-22 season. Since then, UNI Wrestling has compiled a 10-6 record in the venue, quickly establishing a presence with high-energy duals and top-tier opponents.
These achievements highlight the McLeod Center’s role not only as a venue for competition, but as a symbol of UNI pride and tradition. It stands as one of the most competitive and spirited arenas in the Missouri Valley Conference and Big 12 Wrestling, offering an elite home-court advantage and a vibrant experience for Panther fans and student-athletes alike.
