Iowa's Boys Basketball Tournament: Dates And Details

when is iowa boys state basketball tournament

The Iowa boys high school basketball state tournament has been held in Des Moines for over 60 years. The tournament was held at Veterans Memorial Auditorium from 1963 until 2006, when it moved to Wells Fargo Arena. In 2027, the tournament will move to Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum in Ames. The Coliseum has a capacity of 14,267 and consistently boasts strong attendance numbers for both men's and women's basketball programs.

Characteristics Values
Year 2025
Dates March 10-14
Location Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
Capacity 14,267
Broadcasting Iowa Public TV

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The 2025 tournament will be held in Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines

The Iowa boys' high school basketball state tournament has a long history of being held in Des Moines, with a streak of over 60 years of the tournament being hosted in the city. The 2025 tournament will be held in Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, from March 10-14, marking the continuation of this tradition. Wells Fargo Arena has been the venue for the tournament since 2006, before which it was held at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, also in Des Moines.

The arena has implemented a clear bag policy for all events, with a maximum size of 12"x6"x12" permitted. Exceptions will be made for medical, family, or child care necessities. Parking is available at the arena and throughout downtown Des Moines, which is easily accessible via a skywalk. Programs featuring team information and statistics will be on sale for $5.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has announced that the tournament will move to Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum in Ames in 2027, ending the decades-long tradition of hosting the tournament in Des Moines. This move will bring new opportunities for the tournament, as the university's first-of-its-kind multi-use CyTown district will offer restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and a 200-room Marriott hotel.

The 2025 tournament will be a significant event in the history of the Iowa boys' high school basketball state tournament, as it will be the last time the event is held in Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, before its move to Ames in 2027.

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In 2027, the tournament will move to Iowa State University

The Iowa boys' high school basketball state tournament has been held in Des Moines for over 60 years. Since 2006, the tournament has been hosted at Wells Fargo Arena, and before that, it was held at Veterans Memorial Auditorium. However, in 2027, the tournament will move to Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum in Ames. This move will mark the end of the long-standing tradition of hosting the tournament in Des Moines.

The decision to relocate the tournament was announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) in 2025. The IHSAA executive director, Tom Keating, expressed enthusiasm about the new venue, stating that it would offer an elite basketball environment for student-athletes, schools, and supporters. The Hilton Coliseum has a capacity of 14,267 and is known for its strong attendance numbers for both men's and women's basketball programs. ISU will also make the adjacent Scheman Building available for the tournament.

In addition to the new venue, a five-year agreement has been put in place to utilize the University's upcoming CyTown district, which is set to open in 2027. CyTown is a multi-use development that will feature restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and a 200-room Marriott hotel. This relocation is expected to bring new economic opportunities to the Ames community and showcase the amenities that CyTown has to offer.

The 2025 IHSAA State Basketball Tournament, which took place from March 10 to 14, was still held at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. This arena implemented a clear bag policy with a maximum size of 12"x6"x12" allowed, with exceptions made for medical, family, and child care needs. The tournament was broadcast on television and streamed online through the Iowa High School Sports Network.

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The tournament has been held in Des Moines since 1963

Iowa's Boys State Basketball Tournament has a long history, with the state's first tournament held in 1912. Since then, it has grown to become one of the national leaders in boys' basketball, with the event considered the IHSAA's "gold standard". The tournament has been held in Des Moines since 1963 and has showcased the talents of countless college and professional standouts over the years.

The host venue, Wells Fargo Arena, is located in the vibrant downtown district of Iowa's capital city. Des Moines offers a lively backdrop for the tournament, with its bustling downtown, numerous parks, and recreational opportunities. The city also boasts a wide range of shopping centres and lodging options, making it a convenient and enjoyable destination for participants and spectators alike.

The tournament itself consists of eight teams from each of the four classifications advancing to compete in the Wells Fargo Arena. The venue has implemented a clear bag policy for all events, with specific size restrictions, and exceptions made for medical, family, or child care necessities. Parking is readily available at the arena and throughout downtown Des Moines, with easy access to the arena via the skywalk.

Over the years, the tournament has established itself as a prominent event, attracting fans and media attention alike. The quarterfinals and semifinals are aired on the IHSSN Cable Network, with streaming options available on IHSSN.com or the Watch IHSSN App. The finals are broadcast on the IHSSN Broadcast Network and are also streamed for free on the IHSSN website and app, ensuring that fans across the state can follow their favourite teams' progress.

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Iowa Public TV will broadcast the boys state finals

Iowa Public TV will broadcast the boys' state finals for the first time in 2027. The Iowa High School Boys Basketball State Tournament is moving to Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum in Ames in 2027, ending a more than 60-year streak of the tournament being held in Des Moines. The tournament has been held in Des Moines since 1963, first at Veterans Memorial Auditorium and then continuously at Wells Fargo Arena from 2006.

The move to Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum will bring a new experience for athletes and fans alike. Hilton Coliseum has a capacity of 14,267 and consistently strong attendance numbers for both men's and women's basketball programs. The attached Scheman Building will also be available during the tournament, along with state-of-the-art video and audio systems and upgraded team locker rooms.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) is excited about the opportunity to showcase the tournament in a new location, providing a great experience for athletes, coaches, and fans. The IHSAA's executive director, Tom Keating, expressed enthusiasm for the move, highlighting the elite basketball environment and the new tournament community in CyTown and Ames.

The tournament will also bring economic benefits to the area, with hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses set to benefit from the influx of visitors. The IHSAA basketball tournament has averaged 50,000 paid attendees with full capacity available since moving to a five-day format in 2018. Iowa Public TV's broadcast of the boys' state finals will add to the excitement and accessibility of the tournament, allowing those who cannot attend in person to watch the action from home.

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The tournament has averaged 50,000 paid attendees since moving to a five-day format in 2018

The Iowa High School Boys Basketball State Tournament has been held annually in Des Moines for over 60 years. The tournament venue is set to change in 2027, moving to Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum in Ames. The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has hosted the tournament in Des Moines since 1963, initially at Veterans Memorial Auditorium and, since 2006, at Wells Fargo Arena.

The IHSAA tournament has experienced strong attendance numbers over the years, with a significant boost since the adoption of the five-day format in 2018. On average, 50,000 people have attended the tournament since this change, with full capacity available. Hilton Coliseum, the future host venue, has a capacity of 14,267 and consistently attracts large crowds for both men's and women's basketball games.

The IHSAA executive director, Tom Keating, expressed enthusiasm about the move to Ames, highlighting the benefits for student-athletes, schools, and supporters. He mentioned the elite basketball environment at Hilton Coliseum and the new tournament community in CyTown and Ames. The university's investment in CyTown is expected to bring new economic opportunities to the area, with plans for restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and a Marriott hotel.

The Iowa High School Boys Basketball State Tournament is a highly anticipated event, as evidenced by the consistent attendance numbers and the excitement surrounding the move to Iowa State University. The tournament's popularity has been sustained over the years, and the change of venue is expected to further enhance the experience for athletes and fans alike.

Frequently asked questions

The Iowa boys state basketball tournament is held annually. The 2025 tournament will take place from March 10-14.

The tournament has been held in Des Moines for over 60 years. From 1963 onwards, it took place at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, and since 2006, it has been held at Wells Fargo Arena.

In 2027, the tournament will move to Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

Hilton Coliseum has a capacity of 14,267 and consistently attracts strong attendance numbers for basketball games.

Parking is available at Wells Fargo Arena and around downtown Des Moines, which is accessible to the arena via a skywalk.

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