Sports bars and taverns around the country regularly broadcast Iowa sporting events live. The state is full of fascinating things, but it also excels at sports since it is so large and has so many diverse habitats and temperatures that all kinds of sports may compete there.
You can probably find good football, basketball, surfing, racing, skiing, or anything else. Booking a vacation to Iowa to watch some sport instead of on the big screen in a sports bar isn’t such a bad idea, with some of the top athletes in the world competing there and some of the most sought competitions.
Here are a few of the top sporting occasions in Iowa that visitors come from all over the world to attend.
1. Drake Relays
How many institutions allow students to view a top-notch track and field competition up close or even behind the scenes? The Drake Relays, one of the country’s top track and field competitions, will be available to you at Drake.
The first Relay competitions, which were started more than a century ago, were held in front of roughly 100 spectators.
The track and field competition is currently one of the most well-known in the country. As a participant in this event, you’ll get access to this premier sporting occasion that draws more than 40,000 spectators, 220 college and university teams, and elite athletes.
It’s amazing to see, for sure. Some of the best athletes alive often set new world records on Drake’s illustrious “Blue Oval” track. It is typical for Relays competitors to also compete in the summer Olympics.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝟙𝟙𝟚𝕥𝕙 𝔻𝕣𝕒𝕜𝕖 ℝ𝕖𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕤
Who's ready for the Saturday afternoon session?#BackOnTrack pic.twitter.com/xTlL6Y0XT0
— Drake Relays (@DrakeRelays) April 30, 2022
2. Cherokee PRCA Rodeo
Every summer, the Cherokee County Fairgrounds plays host to the Cherokee Chamber PRCA Rodeo, which draws in thousands of people who have a passion for rodeo.
This tradition takes place on the weekend after the Memorial Day holiday. Barnes PRCA Rodeo, a local company, has been a part of the rodeo community for over half a century and is the leading contractor for rodeo cattle in the region.
In addition to three nights of high-quality rodeo performance, visitors can also enjoy children’s activities, western merchants, the Rodeo Queens, a western barbecue held at the Depot, and a big procession that travels through Cherokee.
https://twitter.com/Cheyenneriemerr/status/1532516759651090440?s=20&t=C48qWDM7QbOkMLyMOdRKoA
3. Snake Alley Criterium
Burlington, Iowa, holds one of the toughest races on one of the world’s most twisted streets.
Late spring or early summer is when the Snake Alley Criterium takes place. The Cobble Climb, a youngster favorite, the 167 km Burlington Road Race, and the most thrilling top cyclists’ race up Snake Alley are all part of the racing weekend.
All the city streets the route travels through are blocked off by traffic. A 15-block route has elevation changes ranging from 169 meters (555 feet) to 206 meters (678 feet). The old brick street has one of the climbs. An adequate gear cluster is required for that section of the course.
Participants must be over the age of ten. There are separate contests for men, women, amateurs, professionals, and different age groups. Different entrance costs and prizes range from $50 for juniors to $5,000 for professionals.
The event is regarded as one of the Midwest’s most physically demanding races. The Snake Alley Criterium was ranked fifth best in the country by a major cycling publication.
@RyanAit wins the Snake Alley Criterium! (No we didn't go 1-7 today, but it was a great team ride!) pic.twitter.com/rsyFhjqFyU
— First IB Cycling (@FirstIBCycling) May 27, 2017
4. Charles City Whitewater Weekend
All of us occasionally want a little adventure. If you enjoy paddling in Iowa’s rivers and backwaters, you should make it a point to stop at Charles City’s top-notch Whitewater & Kayak Park.
The most enjoyable adventure park in the state is probably Charles City Whitewater, situated on the Cedar River. Three artificial water features in the park allow paddlers of any skill level to experience some whitewater fun.
Three artificial water features in the park allow paddlers of any skill level to experience whitewater fun. Each feature in the 3/4-mile-long Whitewater Park has a safe chute that allows you to avoid the rapids.
This wonderful park is located at 700 Riverside Drive in Charles City, Iowa. It’s free to use and available all year long! If you don’t own a boat, you can hire a kayak or a tube from one of the many nearby shops.
If you’ve never considered going to an Iowa kayak park, you should keep Charles City Whitewater in mind for a future trip. This quaint park provides a fantastic way to cool off on warm days and is pleasant and welcoming.
The annual Charles City Whitewater Weekend scheduled for Saturday, June 23, has been postponed due to high water levels. https://t.co/EEzFFcxHQb pic.twitter.com/YT5SNgM4c3
— The Courier (@wcfcourier) June 25, 2018
5. Iowa Shrine Bowl
A football game featuring 92 of Iowa’s top players is played each July annually as part of the Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Classic. The Iowa Shrine Bowl has helped Shriners’ Children raise close to $3 million.
The UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa, hosted the 50th Iowa Shrine Bowl game on July 23, 2022. In the days preceding the game, players and cheerleaders from all around the State of Iowa attend the camp.
The players and cheerleaders practice for the game, form enduring friendships, and get the chance to learn about the influence they may have on less fortunate kids over the camp week. The Shriners’ Children Mini-Camp is the centerpiece of Shrine Bowl week.
On the UNI-Dome pitch, hospital patients from the Midwest interact with the players while playing games and telling stories. On the eve of the Shrine Bowl game, the competitors and their families are honored at the Honors Banquet.
Plenty of Cyclones will be competing at the Iowa Shrine Bowl on July 25. Good luck!#WinInTheDark
🌪️🏈🌪️ pic.twitter.com/CTWPiAv14K
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) July 19, 2018
6. CyHawk Trophy
The winner of the match between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones receives the Cy-Hawk Trophy, a tribute to the State of Iowa. After a lengthy absence, these two illustrious programs have now convened annually since 1978. The current winner is the Iowa State Cyclones, in the game that was played this September.
After the 2012 competition, this trophy was unveiled, and it has since grown to play a significant role in the already exciting rivalry.
All Iowans get together for the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk game to commemorate the rivalry that highlights the various ways that corn helps Iowa grow.
Iowa State takes back CyHawk trophy. pic.twitter.com/qXDs5kjuRL
— Scott Siepker (@scottsiepker) September 10, 2022
7. Harvest Half Marathon & 10K
The Siouxperman Triathlon was developed since the founders discovered that there aren’t many half marathons close to Sioux Center; you had to travel far.
Harvest Half discovered a season when Iowa experiences pleasant temperatures and stunning fall beauty.
A nice event for athletes to train for is the race’s placement between the Minneapolis and Des Moines marathons.
The half marathon and the 10K have their start and finish lines at the All Seasons Center, 770 7th St NE, Sioux Center, IA. The half marathon and the 10K will be completed on the paved recreation trails and city streets of Sioux Center.
The 3rd annual Harvest Half Marathon & 10K in Sioux Center takes place October 8th. On The Daily Grind today, Jason Moeller & Maggie Landegent talked about this year's event. Hear today's show at https://t.co/PaNZzIinjo pic.twitter.com/KGTm1ZBA1u
— Sioux County Radio (@theSCRadio) September 19, 2022
8. Iowa High School Football Playoffs
At the high school level, football continues to attract the largest number of male participants of any other sport, and IHSAA member schools have been fielding teams since 1909.
The first IHSAA playoffs were held in 1972, and the organization’s current playoff format features six categories with 11 players each and one classification with eight players.
Each year, the semifinals and finals are held in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, and each class has four teams who proceed to those rounds.
To add to what is already sure to be a special night, our players & coaches get the opportunity to celebrate 50 years of the @IHSAA Football Playoffs.
Iowa High School Football is special for so many reasons, and we are excited be a part of it!
🔵🏈⚪️#iahsfb // #RaiseTheSails pic.twitter.com/BtTy4oj7bv
— Clipper Football (@CCAClipperFB) October 29, 2021
9. Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo
On January 12 and 13, 2024, the Wells Fargo Arena will host the return of the Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo. At fan-favorite rodeos, viewers can anticipate a mix of fun, excitement, entertainment, and fierce competition.
Mark your calendars for this event, for the greatest cowboys in the world will battle for the honor of ProRodeo World Champion in a BATTLE TO THE FINISH.
By reopening the rodeo at 6:00 p.m., the Cinch World’s Strongest Rodeo has increased the amount of fan entertainment available.
Every night, a free dirt-based pre-show activity is held. Arrive early for pony rides, to speak with the cowboys, to jump in the barrels of the clown, to have a place in the roaring shoots on the live picture bulls Sonny and Silver Dollar, or to take a behind-the-chutes tour to get close to the action.
Let the hair flow! Colton Clemens dropped an 88-point ride at the Cinch World's Toughest Rodeo in Columbus. You can watch him at the Cowboy Channel Rookie Roundup presented by Resistol this weekend April 29-30. pic.twitter.com/0wAXcVPbHC
— PRCA ProRodeo (@PRCA_ProRodeo) April 27, 2022
10. Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend
Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend, which featured three fantastic days of intense racing, delicious food, and incredible music in Newton, Iowa, with one of the largest audiences in Iowa Speedway history, decided to make a significant impact locally and garnered excellent reviews from all over the world on July 12-14, 2024.
On Friday, July 21, a euphoric crowd came to celebrate the start of the fun-filled weekend with Free Family Friday.
The Hy-VeeDeals.com 250 hosted by DoorDash, the first NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition of the weekend, and the first Indy Lights race at Iowa Speedway since 2018 were both completely sold out on Saturday, July 23.
For Saturday’s sold-out audience, live performances by country music legend Tim McGraw and Billboard record-holding duet Florida Georgia Line were given before and after the race.
Stop by your Crossroads Hy-Vee this morning until 11:30am to see the #45 Hy-Vee Indy Car! First 250 customers get free Pepsi and Frito-Lay samples as well! Today only! pic.twitter.com/pE8nbJVjh2
— Hy-Vee Crossroads, Waterloo (@HVCrossroads) July 2, 2021
Credits on Featured Image: Iowa Rodeo Cowboys Association
