Des Moines Sports
As the No. 1 minor league sports market in the country, we know a winner when we see one. These teams have helped put us on the map and if you’re lucky, might put you on the jumbotron.
Established in 1969, the Iowa Cubs are Des Moines’ minor league baseball team and one of our favorite summer pastimes. You can root, root, root for the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs from late March through September at beautiful Principal Park, nestled along the Des Moines River. As the last stop before the big leagues, it’s a great place to catch a rising star (or a hot dog). It’s also one of the most family friendly things you can do, with free tickets for kids 3 and under, fireworks after every Friday home game, a splash fountain and two-story play area in right field, and kids run the bases after every Sunday home game.
Get ready for an action-packed night on the ice with the Iowa Wild, Des Moines’ American Hockey League (AHL) team! As the top minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Wild of the NHL, this team has called Wells Fargo Arena home since 2013. With a season from October to April, there are plenty of opportunities to get wild. Besides having the coolest jerseys and merch around, they also earn an A+ for their daily specials, including $1 hot dogs (Monday), $2 beers (Friday), and a postgame local concert series after Saturday home games. Now that’s what we call a hat trick!
The Iowa Wolves are the Minnesota Timberwolves affiliate in the NBA G-League, the official minor league system of the NBA. With games going from November through March at Wells Fargo Arena, the Wolves always do a good job of including some familiar faces on their roster for fans of the Iowa colleges (Luka Garza, anyone)? And with fan experiences like the Champion’s Club (floor level area with food and beverage included), it’s pretty much a slam dunk that you’ll have a great time.
The Iowa Barnstormers are our premier professional indoor football team located in Des Moines, with a season running from March through July. Possibly best known as the team where NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner honed his skills before his big break, the Barnstormers play football at a breakneck pace, with the 8-on-8 action taking place on a 50 yard field. In other words, I hope you like scoring! The Barnstormers were crowned league champions in 2018, and they've been chasing a second trophy ever since.
As proud members of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the Des Moines Buccaneers have been thrilling hockey fans since their formation in 1980. The team plays its home games at Buccaneer Arena, a dynamic 3,500-seat venue that offers an electric atmosphere for hockey enthusiasts of all ages. Known for their passionate (and loud) fan base and game day deals, it’s a great place to experience hockey up close without breaking the bank.
Founded in 1994, the Des Moines Menace are our local soccer team affiliated with the USL League Two. With games hosted at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, the Menace’s season runs from May to July. Perennially one of the best teams in the league, the Menace can always be found near the top of the standing and should be at the top of your things to do. Des Moines is an underrated soccer city and the Menace are one of the best examples of our passionate fan base. Let’s go!
College Teams
If college sports (and tailgating) is your thing, Greater Des Moines is a first team All American. Located in the heart of the capital city, the Drake University Bulldogs are known as “Des Moines’ hometown team.” Their men’s and women’s Division I basketball teams call the cozy Knapp Center home and have each secured NCAA Tournament bids in recent years. Drake is also home to the iconic blue oval track, which hosts the famous Drake Relays every April. Des Moines is also the home to Grand View University, who is an NAIA school and powerhouse when it comes to wrestling and volleyball. And just south of the city is Simpson College in Indianola, a Division III school, with teams in over a dozen sports, including a nationally ranked football team.
