Iowa High School Basketball: Free Tournament Entry?

will the iowa high school state basketball tournament be free

The Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament will be held at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The tournament has been held in the city since 1963, but will move to Ames' Hilton Coliseum in 2027. While some games will be aired on the IHSSN Cable Network, others will be streamed for free on IHSSN.com and the Watch IHSSN App.

Characteristics Values
Location Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
Dates 10-14 March 2025
Ticket Information Not mentioned
Streaming Available for free on IHSSN.com and the Watch IHSSN App

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The 2025 Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament will be held in March

The Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament has a rich history, with the girls' tournament being the oldest of its kind, dating back to the 1920s. The boys' tournament has been held continuously in Des Moines since 1963, first at Veterans Memorial Auditorium and then at Wells Fargo Arena from 2006 onwards. The tournament format for both boys and girls usually includes quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, with the option to purchase streaming passes for certain games.

The 2025 tournament will be the last held in Des Moines for the boys' tournament, as it will move to Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum in Ames in 2027. This move aims to create a more intimate atmosphere and is influenced by the $200 million CyTown development, which will provide a centralized area for fans and teams, including restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and lodging.

The Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament is a highly anticipated event, with a vibrant atmosphere and a rich history. It showcases the talent and passion of Iowa's high school basketball players and is a testament to the state's dedication to youth sports.

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The tournament will be held at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines

The Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament will be held at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The venue is conveniently located in Iowa's capital city, which boasts a vibrant downtown district, numerous parks, shopping centres, and a wide range of lodging options. This makes it an ideal destination for visitors travelling from across the state to attend the tournament.

Wells Fargo Arena is a modern facility that offers a range of amenities for spectators. Parking is readily available at the arena and throughout downtown Des Moines, with skywalk access providing easy connectivity to the venue. The clear bag policy at Wells Fargo Arena ensures a safe and secure environment for all attendees, with a maximum bag size of 12"x6"x12" permitted. Exceptions are made for bags containing essential medical, family, or child care items.

The arena will host both the girls' and boys' state basketball tournaments, ensuring a week-long celebration of high school basketball. The girls' tournament will tip off the festivities, with the boys taking the court the following week. The games will showcase the talents of Iowa's top high school basketball players, with teams from all four classes participating.

The tournament at Wells Fargo Arena will feature exciting matchups, with the best teams from across Iowa vying for state championships. The competition will be fierce, with each team bringing their A-game and chasing their dreams. The atmosphere will be electric, with passionate fans cheering on their favourite teams and players.

Wells Fargo Arena will be the epicentre of high school basketball in Iowa during the tournament. The arena will echo with the sounds of bouncing balls, squeaking sneakers, and enthusiastic cheers. The facility offers a world-class stage for these young athletes to display their skills, determination, and sportsmanship. The tournament will create lasting memories for the players, coaches, and fans alike, with the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat playing out on the hardwood courts of Wells Fargo Arena.

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The Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament is the oldest girls' tournament

The Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament is the oldest girls' high school tournament of its kind. Girls began playing high school basketball in Iowa in the 1920s, even when many people believed they shouldn't be playing. The enthusiasm for the sport and the annual state tournament ignited a passion for basketball among Iowa girls. The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) currently has five classes of basketball, with more than 7,500 girls playing the sport.

The tournament has a rich history, with Iowa girls' basketball being played in a six-on-six format until 1994, when all school districts switched to the five-on-five format. The annual tournament is known for its great basketball and exciting halftime shows. It has also been a platform for Iowa girls to develop team-building skills and lifelong friendships.

The 2024 Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament took place from March 3 to 8, 2025, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The tournament featured classes 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, and 1A. The 2025 tournament also took place at Wells Fargo Arena, from March 10 to 14.

The IGHSAU partnered with Fine Designs to provide official tournament merchandise, which was available for purchase onsite and online. The organisation also offered a free live stream of the championship games on its website and Iowa PBS.

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The tournament has a clear bag policy with a maximum size of 12″x6″x12″

The Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament is not a free event. The Iowa Girls High School State Basketball Tournament, for example, sells official tournament merchandise, and programmes featuring team information and statistics are sold for $5.

The tournament has a clear bag policy, with a maximum size of 12″x6″x12″. This policy is in place at Wells Fargo Arena, where the tournament is held. Clear bags are available to purchase online, and many customers have praised their functionality and suitability for sporting events. These bags are often stadium-approved and security-friendly, making it easier to pass through security without needing to empty the contents of your bag.

The bag policy allows for bags to be made of clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC, and they must not exceed the maximum dimensions. Exceptions to the clear bag policy are made for bags containing items required for medical, family, or childcare. Bags that meet the criteria are large enough to hold essential items such as a water bottle, wallet, phone, and other small personal items.

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The Iowa high school boys' basketball tournament will move to Ames' Hilton Coliseum in 2027

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has announced that the Iowa high school boys' basketball state tournament will move to Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum in Ames in 2027. The tournament has been held in Des Moines since 1963, first at Veterans Memorial Auditorium and then, from 2006, at Wells Fargo Arena. The move to Ames will be the first time the tournament has been held in that city in over a century.

The decision to relocate the tournament was influenced by several factors. One significant reason was the development of Iowa State's new $200 million, 94-acre CyTown district, which will feature restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and hotel accommodations. This development will provide a convenient area for fans, teams, and lodging, enhancing the overall experience of the tournament.

Another factor contributing to the move is the opportunity for high school athletes to play in a basketball-specific arena. Hilton Coliseum, with a capacity of 14,356, is known for its fast-paced and physical style of play, often referred to as "Hilton Magic." High school athletes will have the chance to compete on the same court as Iowa State legends and create their own magical moments.

The tournament format will remain unchanged, ensuring continuity in the structure of the event. The agreement to hold the tournament in Ames extends through 2032, ensuring a long-term partnership and allowing for the development of a strong relationship with the community.

The move is expected to have a positive economic impact on Ames, with tens of thousands of high school basketball fans expected to attend the week-long event. The tournament will not only showcase Iowa State University but also highlight the city of Ames and its vibrant community.

Frequently asked questions

No, tickets will need to be purchased. However, the finals will be streamed for free on IHSSN.com and the Watch IHSSN App.

The 2025 tournament for boys will be held at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, and the tournament for girls will be held at the same venue from March 3-8.

The tournament will be moved to Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum in Ames in 2027.

The tournament format will remain unchanged in 2027 when it moves to Ames. The tournament was shortened from six to five days in 2018, with championship games played on Friday.

The basketball-specific arena in Ames has a capacity of 14,356.

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