Goodbye, Des Moines: State high school boys' basketball tourney heads to Ames

The boys' tournament will be played at Hilton Coliseum in 2027

Since Veterans Memorial Auditorium first hosted the Iowa state boys’ basketball tournament in 1955, Des Moines has been home to cheering crowds and trophies held high.

Aside from the tournament being played at the University of Iowa Field House in 1960 and 1962 (in ‘60, a lumberman’s convention caused the state tournament to be moved; in ‘62, the A.B.C. Bowling Congress took over the arena), Des Moines has hosted the tournament every year.

Wells Fargo Arena replaced Vets in 2006.

Now here’s the shocker — the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Board of Control voted earlier this month to move the tournament to Ames’ Hilton Coliseum starting in 2027. It’s the first of a five-year contract.

The program for the first state boys’ basketball tournament at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines. (Image courtesy Iowa High School Athletic Association.)

There are known reasons for the move. And some unknown ones, too.

The known: Wells Fargo Arena isn’t cheap to book for a week. Crowds can be (or appear) small in the oversized arena, particularly in the smaller classes.

Much has been written about the CyTown development — a multi-use fan friendly area near Hilton that offers a hotel, entertainment and food options. It is expected to be open and available before the 2027 tournament arrives. It will be a draw for high school basketball fans.