Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa is home to several sports teams and also hosts various concerts and events throughout the year. The main tenants of the arena are the Iowa Wolves basketball team and the Iowa Wild ice hockey team. However, Wells Fargo Arena has seen performances from many big-name music acts over the years as well.
Iowa Wolves
The Iowa Wolves are an NBA G League team that plays home games at Wells Fargo Arena. The Wolves have been affiliated with various NBA teams over the years, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Currently, the Wolves are the G League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets. Notable players who have suited up for the Iowa Wolves include Yuta Watanabe, Keita Bates-Diop, and Bol Bol.
The Iowa Wolves began play in 2007 as the Iowa Energy in the NBA Development League (which later became the G League). They rebranded as the Wolves in 2017 after forming a new affiliation agreement with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves play their home games at Wells Fargo Arena during the G League regular season, which runs from November through March. They played the 2021-22 season in a new hub environment due to COVID-19, but returned to Des Moines for the 2022-23 campaign.
Iowa Wild
The Iowa Wild are an ice hockey team that plays in the American Hockey League. They are affiliated with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and also play home games at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The Iowa Wild began play in the 2013-14 AHL season after the Houston Aeros relocated to become Iowa’s AHL franchise.
The Iowa Wild’s regular season runs from October through April annually. During the season, the team plays 38 home games at Wells Fargo Arena. Over the years, the Iowa Wild has developed future NHL players such as Jordan Greenway, Luke Kunin, and Kaapo Kahkonen who went on to play for the Minnesota Wild.
Concerts and Events
In addition to sporting events, Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines also hosts various big-name concert tours and other entertainment events. Some of the notable musicians and groups who have performed at Wells Fargo Arena include:
- Elton John
- Eagles
- Justin Bieber
- Janet Jackson
- Chris Stapleton
- Eric Church
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- Twenty One Pilots
- Carrie Underwood
- Tool
- Kevin Hart
- Jeff Dunham
Wells Fargo Arena has a concert seating capacity of up to 16,980. It offers a premier venue for top touring acts when they come through Des Moines. Concerts at the arena tend to take place year-round.
In addition, Wells Fargo Arena hosts other special events, family shows, and performances. Some other notable events held there include:
- Disney on Ice
- Monster Jam
- Professional Bull Riders events
- World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) events
- Harlem Globetrotters
- Circus performances
- Graduation ceremonies
The arena’s schedule of events appeals to sports fans, families, and live music lovers throughout the year.
Venue Information
Here are some key facts about Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines:
- Location: 730 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Opened: 2005
- Seating capacity: Up to 16,980
- Operators: Iowa Events Center
- Primary tenants: Iowa Wolves (NBA G League), Iowa Wild (AHL)
The arena was known as Wells Fargo Arena before 2021. From 2005-2018, it had been called Wells Fargo Arena. But in between 2018-2021, the naming rights expired and it was renamed Iowa Events Center before becoming Wells Fargo Arena again in 2021.
Wells Fargo Arena is a premier entertainment venue in the heart of Des Moines. With its modern amenities and mix of events, it continues to bring major league sports, top music acts, family fun, and more to central Iowa.
Upcoming Events
Date | Event |
---|---|
October 18, 2022 | Trans-Siberian Orchestra |
October 19, 2022 | Chris Tomlin |
October 21, 2022 | Zac Brown Band |
October 26, 2022 | Iowa Wild vs. Rockford IceHogs |
November 3, 2022 | Iowa Wolves vs. Ontario Clippers |
November 12, 2022 | Monster Jam |
The upcoming concert and event schedule showcases the variety of entertainment options that come through Wells Fargo Arena in the months ahead. Sports fans can look forward to Iowa Wolves and Iowa Wild games in their respective seasons. There are also major concert tours like Zac Brown Band and Trans-Siberian Orchestra performing this fall.
Family shows like Monster Jam and seasonal performances like Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s annual Christmas tour will also take the stage at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines later in 2022. The venue truly offers something for all ages and interests throughout the year.
Impact on Des Moines
Wells Fargo Arena generates a significant economic impact on the city of Des Moines each year. A 2015 study found that the arena contributes $47 million annually to the local economy and supports over 500 jobs.
Wells Fargo Arena attracts hundreds of thousands of people downtown for events every year. Fans and concertgoers spend money at local restaurants, bars, hotels, parking garages, and retail shops. Employees at the arena also re-spend their wages locally.
The concerts, sporting events, and family shows at Wells Fargo Arena provide entertainment options that likely keep discretionary spending in the regional economy rather than going to other cities. The arena also improves the quality of life in Des Moines by giving residents, workers, students, and visitors access to big-name events.
Tax Revenue
In addition to general economic impact, Wells Fargo Arena generates significant tax dollars for the city of Des Moines. This includes sales tax on tickets and other spending related to events at the arena. Wells Fargo Arena attendees generate an estimated $1.5 million per year in state sales tax and $900,000 per year in local sales tax.
Recognition and Awards
Wells Fargo Arena has earned recognition over the years for its excellence as a venue and impact on Des Moines. Some of the major awards and honors bestowed include:
- 2012 Performance Magazine Prime Site Award
- 2013 Venues Today Arena of the Year
- 2015 Billboard Touring Award for Top Small Venue
- 2017 VenuesNow Top Stops for Ticket Sales
These awards validate Wells Fargo Arena as a top entertainment venue nationally in its size class. The arena’s success also reflects positively on Des Moines as a destination.
Future Outlook
Wells Fargo Arena recently completed $23 million in renovations in 2021. The improvements included new premium clubs, upgraded concourses and suites, new video boards, and more.
These renovations will help the arena continue attracting top-tier concerts and events for years to come. They also improve the experience for fans attending games, shows, and more at Wells Fargo Arena.
In the future, Wells Fargo Arena’s success will continue depending on strong event booking and attendance. The return of touring concerts and live events to full capacity following the COVID-19 pandemic will be important. Meanwhile, the Iowa Wolves and Iowa Wild provide built-in sports tenants with yearly home schedules.
Going forward, Wells Fargo Arena will aim to maintain its standing as one of the top venues in the Midwest for entertainment. Continued excellence will also allow the arena to keep generating major economic impacts for Des Moines in the years ahead.