EXPLORE: Sports
By Sofia Legaspi Dickens
Fall and winter sports are back — buckle up. Not all games had been scheduled as Explore Des Moines went to press, so scan QR codes to view the most current schedules.
IOWA WILD
Wells Fargo Arena
233 Center St., Des Moines
iowawild.com
Just one step below the National Hockey League (NHL), you’ll find the American Hockey League (AHL) — and the Iowa Wild professional ice hockey team. The team
is the AHL affiliate of the
NHL’s Minnesota Wild.
DES MOINES BUCCANEERS
Buccaneer Arena
7201 Hickman Road, Urbandale
bucshockey.com
The Bucs are a member of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the only Tier 1 Junior Hockey League in the country. Keep an eye out for their new home arena coming to Merle Hay Mall, scheduled for completion in the 2023-2024 season.
IOWA WOLVES
Wells Fargo Arena
233 Center St., Des Moines
iowa.gleague.nba.com
Des Moines’ pro basketball team plays in the Western Conference of the NBA G League. They were known as the Iowa Energy until their purchase by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017.
DRAKE BASKETBALL
Knapp Center, 2601 Forest Ave., Des Moines • godrakebulldogs.com
The Drake University Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I basketball in the Missouri Valley Conference. The men are coached by Darian DeVries and women by Allison Pohlman.
IOWA STATE BASKETBALL
Hilton Coliseum
1705 Center Drive, Ames
cyclones.com
The Cyclone basketball teams compete in the Big 12 Conference. Non-conference men’s home games are:
IOWA STATE FOOTBALL
Jack Trice Stadium, 1732 S. Fourth St., Ames • cyclones.com
Iowa State plays NCAA Division-1 FBS football, coached by Matt Campbell. This season’s home games, times to be announced:
DRAKE RELAYS
Drake Stadium
2719 Forest Ave., Des Moines
godrakebulldogs.com
Elite athletes, including current and future Olympians, gather in Des Moines for the annual Drake Relays. The outdoor track and field event earned a Silver Level status on the World Athletics Continental Tour, only one of two U.S. competitions to do so. The 113th Drake Relays will be held April 26-29, 2023.
IHSAA & IGHSAU FINALS
Various dates/locations
iahsaa.org & ighsau.org
Watch the best of the best of Iowa’s high school athletes at these Des Moines-area Iowa high school championships and tournaments:
Fall and winter sports are back — buckle up. Not all games had been scheduled as Explore Des Moines went to press, so scan QR codes to view the most current schedules.
IOWA WILD
Wells Fargo Arena
233 Center St., Des Moines
iowawild.com
Just one step below the National Hockey League (NHL), you’ll find the American Hockey League (AHL) — and the Iowa Wild professional ice hockey team. The team
is the AHL affiliate of the
NHL’s Minnesota Wild.
DES MOINES BUCCANEERS
Buccaneer Arena
7201 Hickman Road, Urbandale
bucshockey.com
The Bucs are a member of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the only Tier 1 Junior Hockey League in the country. Keep an eye out for their new home arena coming to Merle Hay Mall, scheduled for completion in the 2023-2024 season.
IOWA WOLVES
Wells Fargo Arena
233 Center St., Des Moines
iowa.gleague.nba.com
Des Moines’ pro basketball team plays in the Western Conference of the NBA G League. They were known as the Iowa Energy until their purchase by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017.
DRAKE BASKETBALL
Knapp Center, 2601 Forest Ave., Des Moines • godrakebulldogs.com
The Drake University Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I basketball in the Missouri Valley Conference. The men are coached by Darian DeVries and women by Allison Pohlman.
IOWA STATE BASKETBALL
Hilton Coliseum
1705 Center Drive, Ames
cyclones.com
The Cyclone basketball teams compete in the Big 12 Conference. Non-conference men’s home games are:
- Nov. 7 vs. IUPUI
- Nov. 13 vs. North Carolina A&T
- Nov. 20 vs. Milwaukee
- Nov. 30 vs. North Dakota
- Dec. 4 vs. St. John’s
- Dec. 11 vs. McNeese State
- Dec. 18 vs. Western Michigan
- Dec. 21 vs. Omaha
IOWA STATE FOOTBALL
Jack Trice Stadium, 1732 S. Fourth St., Ames • cyclones.com
Iowa State plays NCAA Division-1 FBS football, coached by Matt Campbell. This season’s home games, times to be announced:
- Oct. 8 vs. Kansas State
- Oct. 29 vs. Oklahoma
- Nov. 5 vs. West Virginia
- Nov. 19 vs. Texas Tech
DRAKE RELAYS
Drake Stadium
2719 Forest Ave., Des Moines
godrakebulldogs.com
Elite athletes, including current and future Olympians, gather in Des Moines for the annual Drake Relays. The outdoor track and field event earned a Silver Level status on the World Athletics Continental Tour, only one of two U.S. competitions to do so. The 113th Drake Relays will be held April 26-29, 2023.
IHSAA & IGHSAU FINALS
Various dates/locations
iahsaa.org & ighsau.org
Watch the best of the best of Iowa’s high school athletes at these Des Moines-area Iowa high school championships and tournaments:
- Nov. 11-12: Girls state swimming and diving meet, Marshalltown YMCA/YWCA
- Feb. 15-18: Boys state wrestling championships, Wells Fargo Arena
- Feb. 27 - March 4: Girls state basketball tournament, Wells Fargo Arena
- March 6-10: Boys state basketball tournament, Wells Fargo Arena
- May 18-20: Boys & girls state track & field championships, Drake Stadium