Spectator Sports
What Des Moines lacks in big-time professional or college teams, it more than makes up for in spirit and enthusiasm: Principal Park, which sits at the confluence of the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers, is home to the Iowa Cubs and is regularly packed on game days as fans pour into central Iowa’s version of the friendly confines, with a view past center field of the Iowa State Capitol. North of downtown, the Iowa Energy, part of the NBA’s development league, take to the hardwood inside Wells Fargo Arena, as do arena football’s Iowa Barnstormers, who play a fast-break, high-scoring version of the gridiron classic that never fails to excite fans. Even ice hockey has plenty of partisans in Des Moines, with the local team, the Buccaneers, skating out in their old-school ice shed near where the city fades into the suburbs. More obscure sports are popular as well, including two roller derby leagues. Des Moines is also a running-mad town, and large numbers of both local and out-of-town runners go all out for the annual city marathon and triathlon, with huge crowds of spectators cheering them on, as well as numerous smaller races. Crowds also turn out en masse for the Drake Relays every spring to watch some of the world’s most elite runners compete for a championship and a possible shot at the Olympics.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Address: 1 Line Dr.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Address: 833 Fifth Ave.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Address: 833 Fifth Ave.
4. IOWA CRUSH
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (515) 783-6229
Address: 3204 SE 24th Court
Description: The Crush is a women’s tackle football team that has been fighting down the gridiron since 2006. They are part of the Independent Women’s Football League, which has over 30 teams spread throughout every part of the country and runs a full season of games, including playoffs and a championship. This isn’t powder-puff football—players wear helmets and pads just like the men’s game, and they are just as aggressive and block and hit just as hard, too. Several players on the team have been named league all-stars. Their season runs Apr through June.
5. DES MOINES BUCCANEERS
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (515) 278-2827
Address: 7201 Hickman Rd.
Description: Part of the Des Moines sports landscape since 1981, the Bucs face off Sept through Apr against teams from across the Midwest in the US Hockey League. Teenage prospects from the United States, Canada, and Europe fill out the roster and give it their all on the ice. The team has won several championships, and several former Bucs are now on NHL teams. Games are fast-paced and feature some great skating and puck handling. Lots of promotions keep fans entertained and make the Bucs a good option for families as well. Tickets are very reasonably priced, with even center-ice seats costing around $15. The Bucs’ home arena is a wonderfully old-school ice rink located amid the commercial bustle of Hickman Road—look for the pirate logo on the side of a large shedlike building.
6. DES MOINES MENACE
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (515) 226-9890
Address: 6400 Westown Pkwy.
Description: The Menace have been in Des Moines since 1994 and are currently part of the Premier Development League, an entry level of the minor league United Soccer League. An international roster of players has brought the team to the playoffs 10 times, including 3 final-four appearances and a national championship in 2005. The Menace’s Casey Mann was named PDL coach of the year in 2009, when the Menace finished first in their division and made it to the playoff quarterfinals. They regularly finish in the top three of their division. Enthusiastic crowds turn out for games from May through July at Valley High School Stadium. Tickets are usually no more than $10 and can be purchased through the team’s website as well as at the game.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Address: 2719 Forest Ave.
9. KNAPP CENTER
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Address: 2601 Forest Ave.
Description: Located just east of Drake Stadium on Forest Avenue, the Knapp Center is a 7,000-seat arena that has been home to Drake basketball since it opened in 1992. It is also home to Drake women’s volleyball. Previously the basketball Bulldogs played at Veterans Memorial downtown. The Knapp Center’s location just off the main part of the Drake campus makes it much easier for students to attend games. The center underwent an extensive renovation in 2007 and now has top-line scoreboards, video displays, and lighting.
10. BUEL FIELD
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Description: Drake’s home softball field is just north of Drake Stadium and the Knapp Center. The well-maintained field looks out over a residential neighborhood that borders the Drake campus and has an updated press box and sound system, as well as a top-of-the-line drainage system to maintain the outfield.
11. ROGER KNAPP TENNIS CENTER
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Address: 2525 Clark St.
Description: Home to Drake tennis since 1992, this well-equipped facility has 6 indoor and 6 outdoor courts. It is clustered in with the other Drake athletic facilities at the north end of campus, just north of Forest Avenue and west of 25th Street.
12. DES MOINES DERBY DAMES
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Description: Roller derby has caught on in a big way with these two clubs stocked with female skaters who go by names like “Elbow MacPhearson,” “Minnie So Tuff,” and “Anna Killakova.” Both clubs offer the usual bruising brouhaha as they zip around the track, while an appreciative crowd cheers from the stands. The Mid-Iowa Rollers first strapped on skates in 2006 and were 8–0 in 2010.
13. MID-IOWA ROLLERS
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Description: Roller derby has caught on in a big way with these two clubs stocked with female skaters who go by names like “Elbow MacPhearson,” “Minnie So Tuff,” and “Anna Killakova.” Both clubs offer the usual bruising brouhaha as they zip around the track, while an appreciative crowd cheers from the stands. The Mid-Iowa Rollers first strapped on skates in 2006 and were 8–0 in 2010.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
15. IOWA SPEEDWAY
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (641) 791-8000
Address: 333 Rusty Wallace Dr.
Description: This 7⁄8-mile, asphalt-paved tri-oval track holds over 25,000 fans and was designed by NASCAR champion driver Rusty Wallace. It’s located about a half-hour drive from Des Moines and hosts IndyCar and NASCAR races from May through Aug. The arena also features concerts and other events. Camping is permitted and several hotels are nearby. A Fan Walk pass allows spectators to get even closer to the action. Racing usually starts in May and runs for several months.