Des Moines to host 2019 NCAA Tournament first and second rounds
Cyclone fans traveled to Des Moines to cheer ISU to a win on Dec. 7, 2013, at the Wells Fargo Arena.
April 18, 2017
After hosting the NCAA Tournament’s first and second rounds in 2016, Des Moines will play host once again.
The NCAA announced Wells Fargo Arena will host the 2019 first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, which take place from March 21-23. Drake will serve as the host school.
In 2016, the tournament came to Des Moines for the first time in the city’s history. The event garnered at least $5 million for the city, according to the Des Moines Register.
It also had a slew of blue blood teams. Kentucky, Kansas and Indiana all made appearances. Kansas and Indiana came out unscathed, making it to the Sweet 16.
Since the event will be hosted by Drake, Iowa State could be sent to Des Moines, should the team make the tournament. In 2016, Iowa State played host for the NCAA Tournament, so the Cyclones couldn’t be sent there. They instead were sent to Denver.
