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Des Moines to bid for NCAA men’s tournament

Sports

August 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines is pushing hard for a shot at hosting the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The Des Moines Area Sports Commission, Iowa State University and Global Spectrum, the company that operates Wells Fargo Arena, announced Wednesday that they’re bidding to host NCAA tournament games in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Des Moines has long wanted to host the men’s basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, which opened downtown in 2005. But Iowa’s capital city has had to settle for less prestigious events like the women’s basketball and wrestling tournaments. Des Moines ranked first in attendance among women’s basketball regional sites in 2012. The 2013 wrestling championships drew strong crowds as well.

The city also hosted the NCAA outdoor track and field championships in 2008, 2011 and 2012 at Drake Stadium.