Getting There
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) sits about 5 miles southwest of downtown, making it one of the most conveniently located major airports in the Midwest. A taxi or rideshare (Uber and Lyft both operate at DSM) gets you to downtown hotels in roughly 10 to 15 minutes for around $15 to $20. Budget travelers can take DART Route 8, which connects the airport's South Park & Ride to downtown for $1.75, though it runs on weekdays only and takes about 30 minutes.
Getting Around
Des Moines is served by DART (Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority), Iowa's largest public transit agency, with most fixed routes hub-bing through DART Central Station in downtown. DART's coverage is solid in the city core but limited in frequency on weekends and in outer suburbs, so visiting fans attending events at Casey's Center (downtown) or Knapp Center (Drake's campus, about 2 miles west of downtown) will find rideshare the most reliable option for game-night travel. Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout the metro, including late at night after buses stop running.
Where to Stay
Downtown Des Moines is the best base for sports fans, putting you within easy rideshare distance of both Casey's Center (233 Center St) and Drake's Knapp Center. The East Village neighborhood, just east of the Capitol, offers a lively mix of bars and restaurants ideal for pregame and postgame. Downtown hotel rates typically run $120 to $200 per night for mid-range options, with prices spiking during Iowa High School State Wrestling and Basketball Championships at Casey's Center. Some downtown hotels, including Embassy Suites and the Hilton Des Moines Downtown, offer airport shuttle service, which can save you the rideshare fare on arrival.
Sports Fan Notes
Des Moines punches well above its size for a mid-market sports city, offering professional hockey (Iowa Wild, AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild), NBA G League basketball (Iowa Wolves), and indoor football (Iowa Barnstormers) all under one roof at Casey's Center. The Drake Bulldogs give college sports fans two options at the Knapp Center: Missouri Valley Conference men's and women's basketball, with Drake's rising national profile making tickets increasingly competitive. Casey's Center has a strong event history, having hosted NCAA Men's Tournament first and second-round games multiple times, so the building knows how to handle a crowd of traveling fans. The Drake-Iowa State and Drake-Northern Iowa rivalries add edge to the college basketball calendar, and the Iowa Events Center complex is connected to the rest of downtown via the Des Moines Skywalk system, making it easy to move between the venue and nearby bars in any weather.
Venues in Des Moines
Casey's Center
Knapp Center
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from DSM to downtown Des Moines?
The fastest options are a taxi or Uber/Lyft, which cost roughly $15 to $20 and take about 10 to 15 minutes. Budget travelers can take DART Route 8 from the South Park & Ride at the airport to downtown for $1.75, but this service runs Monday through Friday only and takes about 30 minutes. Rental car counters are located at baggage claim if you plan to explore beyond the downtown core.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Des Moines for a sports trip?
Downtown Des Moines is the clear first choice. It puts you walking distance from Casey's Center and a short rideshare ride from Drake's Knapp Center, and the East Village area just to the east has the best concentration of sports bars and restaurants for pregame and postgame. Most mid-range downtown hotels run $120 to $200 per night on standard nights.
Which sports teams play in Des Moines?
Casey's Center is home to three professional teams: the Iowa Wild (AHL hockey, Minnesota Wild affiliate), the Iowa Wolves (NBA G League basketball), and the Iowa Barnstormers (Indoor Football League). Drake University's Knapp Center hosts Drake Bulldogs men's and women's basketball (NCAA Division I, Missouri Valley Conference). A visit to Des Moines can realistically combine a professional game at Casey's Center with a college game at Knapp Center in the same weekend.
Is Des Moines a World Cup 2026 host city?
No, Des Moines is not hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The nearest host city is Dallas, Texas (AT&T Stadium in Arlington), which is one of the primary U.S. venues for the tournament.
Sports cities near Des Moines
Close enough to pair with a Des Moines trip — or to catch a game on the drive in.