Photo gallery: The ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day was a hit (12/29/25)

Dance teams, cheerleaders, band, players, coaches and fans all took in the sights and sounds during the event.

Dec. 29, 2025 4:35 pm, Updated: Dec. 29, 2025 5:48 pm

An Iowa football fan watches a group of fans play beach soccer during the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

Iowa dance team members perform in their band performance during the Beach Day. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

The Iowa marching band put together a 10-minute performance during the Beach Day at Clearwater Beach, with both the dance and cheer teams participating. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

Iowa fans pose for a photo during the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day in Clearwater, Florida. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

Mascots Herky the Hawk and Mr. Commodore shake hands after a mascot battle during the bowl game's Beach Day. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

Herky the Hawk poses with a fan during the marching band's performance at the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

Hawkeye fans pose in front of the ReliaQuest Bowl logo carved into a sand dune ahead of the bowl game's Beach Day. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

An Iowa marching band member chants the I-O-W-A chant during the band's exit following a performance in the Beach Day. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

An Iowa Hawkeye fan cheers on the spirit teams during a tug-of-war battle that lead to Iowa winning the Beach Day games. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

Iowa fans Steve and Austin Dickey participate in a three-legged race challenge during the Beach Day's fan mini game challenge. The two won their race, scoring two points for the Hawkeyes. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

Members of Iowa's cheer team participate in a winner-take-all tug-of war game to determine which school won the Beach Day trophy — which Iowa won in the final round. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz addresses the crowd during the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day, thanking fans for coming and the bowl game staff for their hospitality. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

The ReliaQuest Bowl's Beach Day had fan mini games, including limbo, to determine which fanbase was 'better' ahead of the New Year's Even matchup. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

A group of Hawkeye fans sit together on the beach during the Iowa marching band performance. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

(From left to right) TJ Hall, Kenneth Merrieweather, Jaylen Watson, KJ Parker Rashad Godfrey pose for a photo during the ReliaQuest Bowl's Beach Day in Clearwater, Florida. The Hawkeyes had the day off during the event.

Iowa cheerleaders pose for a photo during their arrival at the ReliaQuest Bowl's Beach Day in Clearwater, Florida on December 29, 2025.

An Iowa cheerleader flips in a basket toss during a Hawkeye marching band performance at the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day in Clearwater, Florida on December 29, 2025.

Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea addresses the crowd during the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day in Clearwater, Florida. It's Vanderbilt's first-ever appearance in the bowl game.

Hawkeye fans cheer for Iowa during a winner-take-all tug-of-way contest between Iowa and Vanderbilt's spirit squads. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.

Vanderbilt fans celebrate winning a Key Lime pie eating contest during a fan mini game challenge at the ReliaQuest Bowl's Beach Day in Clearwater, Florida on December 29, 2025.

Vanderbilt mascot Mr. Commodore shows the school's Anchor Down sign during the Commodores' marching band performance in the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day in Clearwater, Florida on December 29, 2025.

Vanderbilt football head coach Clark Lea throws a football into the crowd after a brief hype-up speech during the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day in Clearwater, Florida on December 29, 2025.

Herky the Hawk lays in a mini soccer goal after failing to stop a goal during a mascot challenge in the ReliaQuest Bowl's Beach Day in Clearwater, Florida on December 29, 2025.

Hawkeye football head coach Kirk Ferentz tosses a football to the crowd after giving a welcome speech to Iowa fans who traveled for the bowl game. Iowa fans traveled to Clearwater Beach, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day on December 29, 2025.