Iowa’s communities have invested in alternative athletics, making it a dream state for creative sports event planners
By Billy Stampfl
Football. Basketball. Baseball. These are the games we know well, the ones we watch most frequently on television and at bars and restaurants. Iowans are no different—they, too, enjoy an Iowa Hawkeyes football game or an Iowa State Cyclones basketball contest. But Iowa has also separated itself with a one-of-a-kind commitment to nontraditional sports. From triathlons to archery, this state has everything an alternative athlete could want, all in a picturesque landscape spotted with farmland and rolling hills.
“As the sports tourism industry continues to grow in importance across the country and specifically in the state of Iowa, it is integral that each destination has a defined direction and a vision,” said Cole McKeel of the Huddle Up Group, a sports tourism, marketing, venue and event consulting company. “It’s not about trying to be everything to everyone at all times. Rather, we recommend communities find their own niche. Our findings highlight the growth of nontraditional sports in Iowa, which offer great value in terms of differentiation from the market and economic impact.”
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Ames, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Muscatine, Sioux City: Special Olympics and adaptive sports
Some of Iowa’s most lively towns are leading the way in adaptive sports, offering inclusive programs for athletes of all abilities.
The Summer Games are Special Olympics Iowa’s largest event of the year, with more than 2,600 athletes 1,200 coaches and 2,000 volunteers converging on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames. The three-day event began with the Torch Run Final Leg bringing the Flame of Hope from downtown Des Moines to Hilton Coliseum for the Opening Ceremony presented by Hy-Vee.
Cedar Rapids features the Adapted Sports League, providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in a variety of sports, fostering skill development and community engagement at the Marion YMCA. Iowa City hosts Courage League Sports, delivering tailored sports programs that emphasize inclusion and personal growth for athletes with physical and cognitive challenges.
Sioux City’s Siouxland Adaptive Sports program connects athletes with opportunities to engage in sports like adaptive basketball and sled hockey, promoting an active lifestyle and community involvement. The Miracle League of Sioux City provides recreational facilities designed for individuals with disabilities to enable integrated play, provide positive experiences and inspire joy for participants and their families. The park includes a rubber-surfaced baseball field, playground, two splash pads, mini-golf course, bocce ball court, We-Go-Swing for children in wheelchairs, buddy swing park, music park, walking path and concessions/restroom facility.
Cedar Falls, Charles City, Decorah and Manchester: Whitewater Thrills
Iowa may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of whitewater adventure, but four towns—Cedar Falls, Charles City, Decorah and Manchester —are changing that perception with their innovative whitewater parks.
Cedar Falls is nearly finished with the build of a whitewater amenity and riverside park area on the Cedar River which runs adjacent to the bustling downtown area. The river park project will encompass in-river whitewater features for kayakers, stand up paddlers, river surfers and other river users.
Charles City boasts Iowa’s first whitewater park, a gem along the Cedar River. Opened in 2011, this park features three distinct drops and over 10,000 tons of limestone boulders, creating a challenging course for kayakers and tubers alike. Its unique design allows beginners and experts to enjoy the water side by side, making it a family-friendly destination.
Manchester, a small town with a big passion for outdoor sports, offers a thrilling whitewater experience on the Maquoketa River. Opened in 2015, this park spans nearly 900 feet and includes six drop features. It is a prime spot for kayaking, tubing, and stand-up paddleboarding, with calm spots perfect for beginners and adrenaline-pumping waves for the more experienced.
Decorah, nestled in the picturesque Driftless Area, features a scenic whitewater park on the Upper Iowa River. Known for its natural beauty, the park offers a mix of rapids and serene sections, making it ideal for all skill levels. Visitors can enjoy the stunning bluffs and vibrant greenery while navigating the river’s twists and turns.
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Cedar Rapids: Top-flight equestrian events
Cedar Rapids is home to one of the finest equestrian centers in the country, the Iowa Equestrian Center. This facility is the largest, most frequented equine facility in Iowa. It hosts a variety of events, from world and national qualifying competitions to regional and local shows, every week of the year. The combination of top-notch facilities, amenities and customer service keep managers, exhibitors and equine enthusiasts coming back to center year after year.
Clear Lake: A Gathering Place for Triathletes
Clear Lake hosts the annual Tri Clear Lake, a premier triathlon event that draws athletes from across the Midwest. This challenging race includes a swim in the clear waters of Clear Lake, a bike ride through scenic rural landscapes, and a run along the shoreline, offering participants a picturesque and invigorating course. Tri Clear Lake is known for its welcoming atmosphere, attracting both seasoned triathletes and beginners. The event showcases Clear Lake’s natural beauty and community spirit, making it a standout in Iowa’s triathlon calendar.
Council Bluffs: A kayaking paradise
Council Bluffs offers a serene kayaking experience on its picturesque lake, a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts. The calm waters of Council Bluff Lake provide an ideal setting for both beginners and seasoned paddlers to enjoy a peaceful day on the water. Surrounded by lush landscapes and scenic views, kayaking here is a great way to connect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle. The lake’s accessibility and tranquil atmosphere make it a favorite spot for water-based activities in the region. Council Bluffs has also hosted major dance and cheer competitions as well as the U.S. Open Badminton Championships.
Des Moines: Archery and IRONMAN competitions
Archery is a popular sport in Central Iowa, with facilities and programs in Des Moines offering exceptional opportunities for bow-and-arrow enthusiasts.
Des Moines’ Hy-Vee Hall is the state’s largest exhibit hall with 100,000 square feet of exhibit space and eight breakout meeting rooms. It hosts events large and small including the 2025 ISAA Pro-Am Archery Tournament. One of the premier archery tournaments in the country, this event brings together archers of all levels, novice to professionals, in their respected divisions.
Des Moines continues to host IRONMAN competitions in June of 2025. The city is considered an excellent Ironman destination because of its scenic beauty, family-friendly fun and upscale downtown vibes. Race day starts with a 1.2-mile urban swim in Gray’s Lake with downtown Des Moines acting as the background. Athletes will push their limits on a 56-mile ride featuring rolling hills and city views. The final leg of this race features a city tour and spectator-lined trails culminating with a downtown finish in front of the historic Iowa Courthouse.
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Des Moines, Dubuque, Marshalltown, Ottumwa: A Gamer’s Paradise
Dubuque is stepping into the future with its growing esports scene, highlighted by the Dubuque Esports League. This initiative has turned the city into a hub for competitive gaming, offering a space where gamers of all ages can engage in various esports tournaments and leagues. The Dubuque Esports facility is equipped with state-of-the-art gaming stations and provides a social atmosphere for gamers to connect and compete.
Ottumwa’s Bridge View Center also hosts esports competitions, including the Meet Your Destiny Esports & Arcade Tournament, featuring three days of games, competition, and fun in the video game capital of the world, Ottumwa, Iowa.
Des Moines is home to The RecPlex’s Esports Center, which features 30 state-of-the-art, water-cooled computers, six gaming consoles, and lounge seating, along with LED lighting and a premier sound system. This space serves as a hub for the elite gamer, as well as those just learning the sport.
Marshalltown Community College is the unmatched “Mecca of Mario” in esports, as it
recently hosted the Iowa High School Esports Association Spring State Showdown featuring Mario Kart.
Fort Dodge and Marshalltown: Cross Country havens
Cross country is a popular sport in Iowa. The Iowa High School Athletic Association initially administered boys cross country state championships in 1930, with the first invitational championships held at the University of Iowa starting in 1922. Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge hosts one of the nation’s longest-running co-ed state meets each year. Marshalltown is also home to one of the country’s most renowned cross country courses: the Marshalltown Community College Cross Country Course.
Quad Cities: Bowling and billiards
The Quad Cities is home to top sports facilities, including the TBK Bank Sports Complex, Vibrant Arena at THE MARK, Modern Woodmen Park, TPC Deere Run, RiverCenter, QC Tennis Club, and Beyond the Baseline. The American Cue Sports Championships are just one of several billiards competitions hosted regularly in this region. The Quad Cities is currently home to the ACS Midwest and Iowa Championships. Bowling hits a strike every time in the Quad Cities because of its multiple tournament-ready bowling centers with the experience and facilities to wow competitors and fans. The Quad Cities has hosted a variety of United States Bowling Congress competitions and premier collegiate competitions like the 20th Anniversary of the Leatherneck Classic.
Waterloo: Tournament-ready facilities
The Cedar Valley SportsPlex in Waterlooishome to a sprawling fieldhouse, a gym, fitness studios, and a pool—is a hub for a variety of activities, including karate, dancing, and tumbling. This unique venue can host a variety of tournaments including the Iowa AAU District Karate Championships.
The centerpiece of Waterloo’s nontraditional athletics scene is not an individual sport or tourney, but a venue: the Waterloo Convention Center. This premier arena offers versatile spaces for events of all sizes. Located in the heart of downtown Waterloo, the center is designed to accommodate everything from large conventions and trade shows to intimate meetings and social gatherings. With modern facilities, 40,000 square feet of space, state-of-the-art technology, and a dedicated team of event planners, the Waterloo Convention Center ensures that every event is executed flawlessly. Among the events it has held includes large-scale billiards tournaments including the Iowa State Pool Championships.
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