sport

Des Moines Clubs Thrive as New Sports Facilities Take Shape

Expansions at the RecPlex and school athletic fields give local leagues more room to grow participation and community ties.

By Des Moines Sport Desk · Published July 24, 2026

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Des Moines Clubs Thrive as New Sports Facilities Take Shape — Photo by Phil Roeder / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

The Des Moines City Council approved a 50-year lease for a new professional soccer stadium on the former Dico Superfund Site, with construction targeting spring 2027 and the first match in 2029. West Des Moines' RecPlex began construction on a 100,000-square-foot expansion in April 2026 that will add a 3,000-seat arena expected to open in October 2027.

These projects arrive as established community leagues continue to draw steady participation across Des Moines and West Des Moines. Groups that already run year-round programs now see clearer paths to schedule more games and events without competing for limited space.

Central Iowa Coed Soccer and RecPlex Growth

Central Iowa Coed Soccer operates Iowa's largest recreational coed soccer league and uses fields at the Midamerican Energy Company RecPlex. The league's players will gain access to the new arena once it opens, allowing indoor options during winter months when outdoor fields are unavailable. The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation completed the capital stack and secured funding for the Pro Iowa Stadium and Global Plaza project in December 2025, removing earlier financing obstacles.

The Pride Sports League of Central Iowa, founded in 2012, runs indoor volleyball, softball, basketball and dodgeball plus a free running club for the LGBTQ community. i9 Sports has offered youth flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis and volleyball for ages 3 and up in Des Moines since 2009. Des Moines Parks and Recreation maintains adult leagues in fast-pitch softball, men's and women's basketball, coed sand volleyball, flag football, bean bag and indoor wiffle ball.

School Field Projects Add Capacity

Des Moines Public Schools are implementing $15 million in upgrades for athletic fields and tracks at East, Hoover, Lincoln and North high schools, with synthetic turf fields and 8-lane tracks nearing completion. These improvements directly support the 17 high school sports offered across DMPS schools, including soccer, track and field, and football. The additional synthetic surfaces reduce weather-related cancellations and give middle-school and club teams more practice slots.

Residents interested in joining can check current registration details through Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Central Iowa Coed Soccer or the Pride Sports League websites for seasonal openings and field locations.

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