The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced Tuesday that the boys high school basketball state tournament will move to Hilton Coliseum in Ames in 2027.Shifting the tournament north from Des Moines is a substantial change. The tournament had been held in the state's capital city every year since 1963. Before that, it was held in several different cities, including Ames, Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Ottumwa and Boone, according to the IHSAA."We couldn't be more excited about what this opportunity will offer our student-athletes, schools, and supporters as they experience an elite basketball environment at Hilton and an awesome new tournament community in CyTown and Ames," IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said in a statement. "Our sincere appreciation goes to everyone who has helped make this possible at Iowa State University, Discover Ames and Cyclone Athletics."Tuesday's announcement said it is a five-year contract to hold the games at Hilton, running until 2032.More: Introducing the Des Moines Register's 2025 All-Iowa high school boys basketball teamsNeed a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle."On behalf of Iowa State University, thank you to the IHSAA board, Tom Keating, and Tom's staff for deciding to bring the Athletic Association's state basketball tournament to Ames to experience Hilton Magic," Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said in a release. "We are excited to host this great event and our staff looks forward to working with the IHSAA to make this special for the athletes, coaches and fans whose teams reach the state tournament each year."The 2025 tournament just wrapped up last week at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Ames hosted the boys state tournament five times between 1917 and 1926. The last time the city held the tournament, Irwin won the state title over Keystone, Grandview and Lake View, according to the release."We have great relationships in Des Moines and at Iowa Events Center, and we thank them for all their years of support and their continued work in hosting our events," Keating said in the release.Future Iowa boys state basketball tournament datesMarch 8-12, 2027March 6-10, 2028March 5-9, 2029March 4-8, 2030March 10-14, 2031

Iowa high school boys basketball state tournament moving to Hilton Coliseum in 2027

The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced Tuesday that the boys high school basketball state tournament will move to Hilton Coliseum in Ames in 2027. Shifting the tournament north from Des Moines is a substantial change. The tournament had been held in the state’s capital city every year since 1963. Before that, it was held […]

The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced Tuesday that the boys high school basketball state tournament will move to Hilton Coliseum in Ames in 2027.

Shifting the tournament north from Des Moines is a substantial change. The tournament had been held in the state’s capital city every year since 1963. Before that, it was held in several different cities, including Ames, Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Ottumwa and Boone, according to the IHSAA.Tuesday’s announcement said it is a five-year contract to hold the games at Hilton, running until 2032.“We couldn’t be more excited about what this opportunity will offer our student-athletes, schools, and supporters as they experience an elite basketball environment at Hilton and an awesome new tournament community in CyTown and Ames,” IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said in a statement. “Our sincere appreciation goes to everyone who has helped make this possible at Iowa State University, Discover Ames and Cyclone Athletics.”

“On behalf of Iowa State University, thank you to the IHSAA board, Tom Keating, and Tom’s staff for deciding to bring the Athletic Association’s state basketball tournament to Ames to experience Hilton Magic,” Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said in a release. “We are excited to host this great event and our staff looks forward to working with the IHSAA to make this special for the athletes, coaches and fans whose teams reach the state tournament each year.”

“We have great relationships in Des Moines and at Iowa Events Center, and we thank them for all their years of support and their continued work in hosting our events,” Keating said in the release.The 2025 tournament just wrapped up last week at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Ames hosted the boys state tournament five times between 1917 and 1926. The last time the city held the tournament, Irwin won the state title over Keystone, Grandview and Lake View, according to the release.