Iowa
With a strong sports culture, centrally located cities, and a reputation for hosting well-run events, Iowa is a welcoming destination for sports. From youth tournaments and amateur championships to large-scale collegiate competitions, Iowa combines Midwest hospitality with the infrastructure and experience needed to deliver successful, memorable events year-round. “Iowa offers versatility – large arenas, historic stadiums and emerging multisport complexes are located all across the state,” says Amy Zeigler, state tourism manager for Travel Iowa. “The biggest standout is that Iowa offers these venues without the congestion or cost barriers found in other markets. Event planners talk about how Iowa’s affordability and accessibility help them create an experience, not just a competition.”
Iowa

Prospect Meadows in Cedar Rapids is an eight-field baseball complex. Courtesy Cedar Rapids Tourism
With a strong sports culture, centrally located cities, and a reputation for hosting well-run events, Iowa is a welcoming destination for sports. From youth tournaments and amateur championships to large-scale collegiate competitions, Iowa combines Midwest hospitality with the infrastructure and experience needed to deliver successful, memorable events year-round. “Iowa offers versatility – large arenas, historic stadiums and emerging multisport complexes are located all across the state,” says Amy Zeigler, state tourism manager for Travel Iowa. “The biggest standout is that Iowa offers these venues without the congestion or cost barriers found in other markets. Event planners talk about how Iowa’s affordability and accessibility help them create an experience, not just a competition.”
Home to Iowa State University, Ames is easy to get to and offers access to high-quality venues, experienced event support, and community excitement.
Hotel Rooms: 2,200Hotel tax rate: 12 percent
Major Facilities:
- Hunziker Youth Sports Complex boasts 24 soccer fields, five baseball fields, and four softball fields
- Iowa State University Rec Services includes 31 fields, 20 basketball courts, 31 volleyball courts, two pools, six ball fields, and 300 square feet of indoor turf
- Iowa State Athletics offers the 14,267-seat Hilton Coliseum, 61,500-seat Jack Trice Stadium, and the Cyclone Sports Complex, which hosts soccer, softball, and track and field
Discover Ames, DiscoverAmes.com
Greater Burlington is home to two of the Midwest’s finest tournament facilities, the Burlington Regional RecPlex and FunCity Turf.
Hotel Rooms: 836Major Facilities:
- Burlington Regional RecPlex has five baseball/softball diamonds, eight soccer fields, four lighted sand volleyball courts, and one all-purpose field
- FunCity Turf boasts nearly 80,000 square feet of playing surface, a full-size high school soccer field, two youth softball fields, and up to eight soccer playing surfaces
- Community Field is a minor league ballpark
Convention Center:
Burlington Memorial Auditorium has fixed seating for 1,200 and has hosted wrestling and MMA events.
Contact:Greater Burlington Partnership, VisitBurlingtonIowa.com.
Cedar Rapids is a welcoming and convenient Midwest destination. It is within a five-hour drive of six major cities and features a world-class airport with 17 non-stop flights.
Hotel Rooms: 3,350Major Facilities:
- Alliant Energy PowerHouse Arena and Convention Center houses a 37,550-square-foot arena floor and is connected to the 267-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
- ImOn Ice Arena includes two sheets of ice, including the NHL ice sheet, with seating for 3,500
- Tuma Soccer & Sports Complex features 32 soccer fields of various sizes, and two football fields
- Veterans Memorial Baseball Stadium is a 5,300-seat minor league baseball park
- Prospect Meadows is an eight-field baseball complex
- Triple Play Park has six baseball/softball fields
Alliant Energy PowerHouse Convention Center has a flexible exhibit hall and hosts a variety of sports, including gymnastics, cornhole, volleyball, and wrestling.
Contact:Cedar Rapids Tourism Office, tourismcedarrapids.com.
Cedar Valley is home to both Waterloo and Cedar Falls and is located in the heart of northeast Iowa. Cedar Valley is less than two hours from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri and less than four hours from Nebraska and South Dakota.
Hotel Rooms: 2554Major Facilities:
- Cedar Valley Sportsplex is a 30,000-square-foot indoor complex with two basketball/volleyball courts, a fieldhouse with turf fields for indoor soccer, track, and pool
- Young Arena is a 3500-seat facility with one Olympic-size ice rink, and it can also accommodate eight full-size wrestling mats
- Riverfront Sports Park features eight lighted youth softball/baseball fields
- Hoing-Rice Complex includes four lighted fields for adult softball or youth baseball
- Byrnes Park Tennis Center consists of 16 outdoor courts
- Cedar Valley Soccer Complex has 11 full-size fields and four practice fields
Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center houses 40,000 square feet of convention space. The facility has hosted volleyball, gymnastics, boxing, MMA, CrossFit and wrestling.
Contact:Cedar Valley Sports Commission, cedarvalleysports.org.
Council Bluffs is home to a wide variety of sports facilities and fields to host any type of competition.
Hotel Rooms: 2,674Major Facilities:
- Council Bluffs Recreation Complex includes 10 soccer fields, seven softball fields, four football fields, and three baseball fields
- Iowa West Field House is a 100,000-square-foot-plus indoor sports facility with 12 regulation volleyball courts or eight high school basketball courts
- Iowa West Sports Plex is a 75,000-square-foot indoor facility
- Mid-America Center combines an arena and convention center with more than 64,000 square feet of flexible space
Unleash Council Bluffs, UNleashCB.com.
Greater Des Moines offers a winning combination of accessibility, affordability, and experience. Located in the heart of the Midwest, it’s an easy drive for regional teams and fans, while offering affordable hotels, venues, dining, and entertainment compared to larger markets.
Hotel Rooms: 13,000Hotel tax rate: 12 percent
Major Facilities:
- Hy-Vee Multiplex is a 50-acre synthetic turf multisport complex with six pods, 12 soccer fields, and 18 baseball/softball fields
- Downtown Wellmark YMCA houses a 50-meter indoor Olympic-sized pool
- MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex offers two indoor ice arenas, a fieldhouse with three full-size basketball courts or six full-size volleyball courts, three full-size pickleball courts, full-size soccer field, three full-size outdoor turf soccer fields, and a 3,500-square-foot esports room
- Waukee Natatorium offers an Olympic-sized pool
- Gregg Young Sports Campus has 10 acres of multisport turf, four soccer fields, eight baseball/softball fields, and 41,000 square feet of multipurpose courts, along with 11,000 total square feet of indoor field turf
The Iowa Events Center is comprised of three connected facilities: Casey’s Center, EMC Expo Center, and Community Choice Convention Center.
Contact:Des Moines CVB, catchdesmoines.com.
Nestled along the limestone bluffs of the mighty Mississippi River, Dubuque pairs championship-caliber venues with unforgettable visitor experiences. Sports organizers have their choice of numerous top-quality venues while keeping athletes and families close to hotels, dining, and entertainment.
Hotel Rooms: 1,890Hotel tax rate: 12 percent
Major Facilities:
- Dubuque Soccer Complex features seven full-length fields
- Dubuque Sports Complex includes four youth baseball diamonds
- ImOn Ice Arena is a 66,000-square-foot facility with a single sheet of ice
- Dubuque Girls Independent League Softball Complex has five youth softball diamonds
- Sundown Mountain Resort features 21 scenic trails on 85 acres
Grand River Center features 86,000 square feet of indoor space.
Contact:Travel Dubuque, traveldubuque.com.
The Iowa City area is a great place to host sporting events as it offers world-class venues, loyal, and passionate fan base, and great accessibility. With hotels, restaurants, and entertainment all within walking distance of our venues, the area offers convenience for athletes and fans.
Hotel Rooms: 3,700Hotel tax rate: 12 percent
Major Facilities:
- Xtream Arena is a 5,100-seat multipurpose venue
- GreenState Family Fieldhouse offers five basketball courts
- Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex features 12 outdoor courts and eight indoor courts
- Campus Recreation and Wellness Center includes a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool and diving well
- The Palestra has four courts for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball
Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Center offers more than 80,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and hosts basketball, wrestling, and dance.
Contact:Iowa City/Coralville Area CVB, thinkiowacity.com.
Sioux City delivers a strong mix of top tier sports venues, ample lodging, family friendly attractions, and Midwest hospitality, making it a reliable host for events of all sizes. As home to the NAIA Women’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball National Championships, along with multiple youth national qualifiers, the city has a proven record of running high level competitions.
Hotel Rooms: 2,500Hotel tax rate: 13.65 percent
Major Facilities:
- Tyson Events Center is a flexible indoor multipurpose venue with a capacity of up to 10,000 and boasts a 17,000-square-foot arena floor
- The Siouxland Sports Academy features five courts,
- Seaboard Triumph Foods Expo Center boasts a 55,277-square-foot turf area and 80,000 square feet of arena space
- IBP Ice Center is an indoor ice rink
- MercyOne Field at Lewis and Clark Park is a baseball stadium with a capacity of 3,800
The Sioux City Convention Center offers 56,000 square feet of space, 28,600 of which is contiguous, and hosts sports like boxing, dance, mixed martial arts, volleyball, wrestling, and cheer.
Contact:
Sioux City Sports Commission, exploresiouxland.com/sioux-city-sports-commission.
