Why is Iowa-Northwestern at Wrigley Field? Baseball stadium plays host to Week 10 matchup

Iowa football travels to an unfamiliar location in Week 10 of the college football. Instead of taking to the gridiron, the Hawkeyes will play on a diamond.

Iowa football's Saturday game against Northwestern will take place at Wrigley Field in Chicago, home of MLB's Cubs franchise. The matchup between the Hawkeyes and Wildcats will be just the third football game at Wrigley Field since 1970, and the third college football game since 1938.

The Week 10 meeting Saturday is listed as a Northwestern home game: The Wildcats, who have played two football games in the stadium previously, are just 8.4 miles from their playing location.

But why is the Iowa-Northwestern matchup taking place at Wrigley Field, a baseball stadium, rather than the Wildcats' traditional home? Here's what you need to know.

Iowa vs. Northwestern location

• Wrigley Field (Chicago)

Iowa will take on Northwestern at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The site normally hosts Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs home games and has a listed capacity of 41,649, including lower level and upper level seats, as well as the outfield bleachers. It has hosted two Northwestern football games: a 2010 matchup with Illinois and 2021 meeting with Purdue, both of which the Wildcats lost.

Why is Iowa-Northwestern at Wrigley Field?

In 2010, Northwestern played the first football game at Wrigley Field since 1970, falling to Illinois 48-27. However, safety concerns forced both teams to direct every possession toward only one end zone. Three years later, Northwestern and the Chicago Cubs announced a multiyear agreement for several Wildcats athletic events at Wrigley Field, including five football games.

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Northwestern returned to Wrigley Field to host Purdue in 2021 but took another loss at the stadium. Ballpark renovations and a repositioned field allowed both end zones to be used for that game. The Hawkeyes will take on the Wildcats on Saturday in Week 10 of the college football season at Wrigley Field in Northwestern's third game at the ballpark.

What time is the Iowa game at Wrigley Field?

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 4

• Time: 2:30 p.m. CT

The Hawkeyes and Wildcats kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT in this Week 10 matchup.

Who plays at Wrigley Field?

Wrigley Field is the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs, a Major League Baseball team. The Cubs are part of the National League's Central Division. The team was founded in 1876 and is one of the oldest and most storied franchises in baseball.

The Cubs have a passionate and dedicated fan base, and Wrigley Field is known for its unique atmosphere and historic significance in the sport. In addition to regular season games, the ballpark also hosts special events, concerts, and other entertainment throughout the year.

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Who is Wrigley Field named after?

Wrigley Field is named after William Wrigley Jr., the chewing gum industrialist and owner of the Chicago Cubs. The ballpark was originally known as Weeghman Park when it was built in 1914, but it was renamed Wrigley Field in 1927 in honor of William Wrigley Jr.'s significant involvement in both the baseball team and the development of the ballpark.

Wrigley's name has become synonymous with the historic and iconic stadium, which remains one of the most cherished venues in baseball.

When was Wrigley Field built?

Wrigley Field, originally known as Weeghman Park when it was constructed, was built in 1914. The ballpark was constructed under the ownership of Charles Weeghman, who was the owner of the Chicago Whales, a team in the short-lived Federal League, a third major league that existed from 1914 to 1915. The park was designed by architect Zachary Taylor Davis and had a seating capacity of around 14,000 when it first opened.

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In 1916, the Federal League folded, and the Chicago Cubs moved into the park, which was then renamed Cubs Park. It was subsequently renamed Wrigley Field in 1927 after William Wrigley Jr., owner of the Cubs.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why is Iowa-Northwestern at Wrigley Field? College football game at MLB park