Iowa's High School Basketball State Tournament Dates Announced

when is iowa high school basketball state tournament

The Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament is a highly anticipated event, with the 2025 tournament taking place from March 10-14 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The tournament is organised by the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and has been held in downtown Des Moines annually since 1963. However, there are plans to shift the tournament to Ames' Hilton Coliseum from 2027 to 2032, creating economic opportunities and a fresh experience for the community. The tournament features 32 teams across four classes, with an average of 50,000 paid attendees, and is a significant event for both participants and fans of high school basketball in Iowa.

Characteristics Values
Year 2025
Dates March 10-14
Location Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
Capacity 16,110
Organiser Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA)
Streaming Iowa High School Sports Network (IHSSN)
Teams 32
Qualifiers 8 across each of the four classes
Expected Attendance 50,000
Economic Impact $1.5 million annually
Future Location Hilton Coliseum, Ames
Future Dates March 2027 - 2032

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The 2025 tournament will take place in Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines

The 2025 Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament will be held from March 10 to 14 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. This will be the last time the tournament will be held in the state's capital city for a while, as the event is moving to Ames Hilton Coliseum from 2027 to 2032.

Wells Fargo Arena is a large venue, built to host NBA and NHL games, with a capacity of 16,110 seats. The venue has implemented a clear bag policy, with a maximum size of 12″x6″x12″ permitted. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items and childcare equipment. Parking is available at the arena and around downtown Des Moines, with easy access to the arena via skywalk.

The Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament is a highly anticipated event, with teams and fans flocking to the host city. The tournament has been a significant economic boost for Des Moines, with an estimated loss of $750,000 for the city when the tournament moves to Ames. The shift to a five-day format has also impacted hotel usage in the area.

The 2025 tournament will feature 32 teams across four classes, with eight qualifiers in each class. The tournament is expected to draw approximately 50,000 paid attendees, including athletes, coaches, families, and fans. The event will also be broadcast and streamed, providing remote access to those unable to attend in person.

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The 2027 tournament will be held in Ames' Hilton Coliseum

The 2027 Iowa boys high school basketball state tournament will be held in Ames Hilton Coliseum, marking a significant shift from its traditional venue in downtown Des Moines. This decision by the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) signifies a return to Ames, which previously hosted the tournament before it moved to Des Moines in 1963.

The choice of Ames Hilton Coliseum as the new host presents several advantages and considerations. Firstly, the basketball-specific arena in Ames boasts a capacity of 14,356, providing a more intimate atmosphere compared to the larger venues in Des Moines. This change aims to infuse energy into the tournament, especially during the initial rounds, which often felt dwarfed in the 16,110-seat Wells Fargo Arena, built for NBA and NHL games.

The move to Ames is expected to have a substantial economic impact on the community. Local officials anticipate a boost from the influx of tens of thousands of high school basketball fans, athletes, coaches, and their families. The tournament is estimated to generate a local annual economic impact of approximately $1.5 million, or about $7.5 million over the five-year contract with Hilton Coliseum. This includes revenue from hotel bookings, restaurants, and other local businesses.

The tournament's timing coincides with another significant development: the opening of the CyTown district, an entertainment hub orchestrated by Iowa State University. CyTown, located between Hilton and Jack Trice Stadium, will feature food and beverage options, a Marriott hotel, retail spaces, and an outdoor performance venue. This new district will enhance the overall experience for tournament attendees, providing additional attractions and amenities.

The 2027 tournament in Ames Hilton Coliseum promises to be a memorable event, combining high-level basketball with the vibrant atmosphere of a university town. The move underscores the IHSAA's commitment to creating a special opportunity for participants and fans alike, fostering excitement and intrigue in a basketball-centric setting.

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Quarterfinals and Semifinals will air on IHSSN Cable Network

The Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament is a highly anticipated event, with the 2025 tournament taking place from March 10-14 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. This tournament has been a long-standing tradition, previously hosted in the state's capital city every year since 1963.

For those who can't attend in person, the Iowa High School Sports Network (IHSSN) provides comprehensive coverage. IHSSN is based in Emerson, Iowa, and holds the exclusive media rights to many Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) championship events. They have been broadcasting Iowa boys' high school sports championships since 2005 and currently cover around 90 state championship events annually.

Now, let's focus on the quarterfinals and semifinals. These early rounds of the tournament will be aired on the IHSSN Cable Network. Viewers can tune in to watch the intense competition unfold, as the top teams battle it out to secure their place in the finals. The IHSSN Cable Network provides a front-row seat to all the action, bringing the excitement of the tournament directly to viewers' homes.

Additionally, for those who want to watch on their devices, the quarterfinals and semifinals will also be streamed live at IHSSN.com or through the Watch IHSSN App. This provides an extra level of convenience and accessibility for fans who want to support their favourite teams on the go. To access the live stream, viewers will need to purchase either a Game Pass or a Tournament Pass, which offers an all-access pass to the thrilling basketball action.

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Finals will be broadcast on the IHSSN Broadcast Network

The Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament is a highly anticipated event, with the 2025 tournament taking place from March 10-14 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The tournament features both boys' and girls' teams, with a rich history, especially for the girls' teams.

The Iowa High School Sports Network (IHSSN) plays a crucial role in broadcasting these games to a wider audience. IHSSN is based in Emerson, Iowa, and has been dedicated to bringing Iowa high school sports championships to viewers since 2005. They have the exclusive media rights to many Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) championship events, including basketball.

While the quarterfinals and semifinals of the tournament are aired on the IHSSN Cable Network, the finals take center stage on the IHSSN Broadcast Network. This provides a broader reach and ensures that fans across the state can tune in to watch the climax of the tournament. The IHSSN Broadcast Network is the go-to destination for viewers who want to catch all the thrilling action and witness the culmination of months of hard work and dedication by these young athletes.

In addition to the broadcast, IHSSN also offers free live streaming of the finals on its website, IHSSN.com, and the Watch IHSSN App. This provides convenient access to viewers who prefer to watch the games on their devices or are unable to tune in through traditional television networks. By offering multiple viewing options, IHSSN ensures that the excitement and intensity of the finals reach a diverse and engaged audience.

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The tournament will generate a local annual economic impact of $1.5 million

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has announced that the boys' high school basketball state tournament will be moving to Ames ' Hilton Coliseum in 2027. This will be the first time in decades that the tournament hasn't been held in downtown Des Moines, which has been the host city every year since 1963. The tournament's move to Ames is expected to generate a local annual economic impact of about $1.5 million, or approximately $7.5 million over the five-year contract with Hilton Coliseum.

The IHSAA accepts 32 teams into the state tournament, with eight qualifiers across each of the four classes. Since shifting to a five-day format in 2018, the boys' state tournament has averaged around 50,000 paid attendees. This influx of visitors includes athletes, coaches, their families, and other fans. The tournament's move to Ames is expected to bring tens of thousands of high school basketball fans to the community, providing a significant economic boost to local businesses, hotels, and restaurants.

The basketball-specific arena in Ames has a capacity of 14,356, which is slightly smaller than the 16,110-seat Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. However, the smaller size of Hilton Coliseum is not expected to detract from the excitement and energy of the tournament. Local officials are thrilled about the opportunity to showcase their community and experience the economic benefits of hosting such a prominent sporting event.

The state tournament's move to Ames coincides with another highly anticipated project—the opening of the CyTown district, orchestrated by Iowa State University. CyTown, located between Hilton and Jack Trice Stadium, will feature food and beverage establishments, a 200-room Marriott hotel, retail spaces, and an outdoor performance venue. The development is scheduled to be completed by 2027, enhancing the overall experience for visitors attending the tournament.

Frequently asked questions

The 2025 IHSAA State Basketball Tournament took place from March 10-14. The tournament will move to Ames 'Hilton Coliseum' in 2027.

The tournament is currently held in Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines.

The tournament will move to Ames 'Hilton Coliseum' in 2027. It will be the first time in decades that the tournament won't be held in downtown Des Moines.

The Wells Fargo Arena was built to host NBA and NHL games and has a capacity of 16,110 seats. The new venue, Hilton Coliseum, has a capacity of 14,356.

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