sport
Des Moines Clubs Build Community Through Local Sports Leagues
With limited weekend game scores reported, Des Moines organizations continue to expand recreational play and facility upgrades that connect residents.
How we reported this
The Sioux Falls Stampede defeated the Buccaneers 3-1 in West Des Moines with goals from Matthew Grimes, Joey Macrina and Wade Weil, one of the few specific results tied to the area over the July 12-13 weekend.
No Des Moines-area weekend sports results are available for July 12-13 2026 according to multiple searches that instead returned 2025 high school football coverage or earlier 2026 tournaments. ESPN Des Moines focused on international events such as Wimbledon and the World Cup rather than local scores. The 2026 DM Corporate Games results for basketball pickleball and golf appear online without weekend specifics attached.
Community Leagues Keep Residents Active Year-Round
Des Moines Parks and Recreation runs adult leagues in fast-pitch softball men's and women's basketball coed sand volleyball flag football bean bag and indoor wiffle ball. The Pride Sports League of Central Iowa founded in 2012 offers indoor volleyball softball basketball dodgeball and a free running club for the LGBTQ community. Central Iowa Coed Soccer operates the state's largest recreational coed soccer league with fields in Des Moines and West Des Moines including the Midamerican Energy Company RecPlex. i9 Sports has provided youth programs in flag football soccer basketball baseball softball tennis and volleyball for ages 3 and up since 2009. Des Moines Roller Derby welcomes new adult participants at any time while the Des Moines Rugby Club maintains a women's team that practices in West Des Moines.
These programs operate without reliance on single weekend outcomes and instead emphasize ongoing participation that links neighbors across neighborhoods.
School Investments Support Broader Participation
Des Moines Public Schools offers 17 high school sports across five schools: East Hoover Lincoln North and Central. The district is directing approximately $15 million toward synthetic turf fields and 8-lane tracks at East Hoover Lincoln and North High Schools. Athletes must complete an annual physical registration and concussion form with a $15 fee per student. Nine area high schools compete in the Central Iowa Metro League that lists 21 sports at the 5A level while North High School left that league in 2021 to join the Iowa Alliance Conference.
Des Moines remains a top minor league market anchored by Iowa Cubs games and events such as NCAA March Madness though no fresh scores from those venues surfaced for the most recent weekend. The DM Corporate Games site lists post-event standings without individual July numbers attached.
Residents seeking to join can review current openings through Des Moines Parks and Recreation or the Pride Sports League of Central Iowa for the next available season.