Attending the Iowa high school soccer state tournament in Des Moines? Here's what to know
Iowa’s best high school soccer teams will play for state championship trophies this week at Cownie Sports Complex in Des Moines. Eight boys teams and eight girls teams in each class will compete in this year’s state soccer tournament.
Quarterfinals for the boys will begin on May 30 and for the girls on May 31. State championship games will be held on June 3 for both boys and girls.
Here are a few things you need to know if you’re attending the games, from how to stream to where to eat.
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How to watch, stream the 2023 Iowa state high school soccer tournament
If you're not attending in person, you can still catch the action. The Iowa High School Sports Network will broadcast games here. Iowa PBS will also livestream and broadcast state title matches.
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Where to buy tickets for the 2023 Iowa high school state soccer tournament
Tickets for this year’s state soccer tournament can be purchased online. For each round, tickets will be $10 per spectator and include a $3 parking fee from Des Moines Parks & Rec. You can purchase game tickets by visiting this link and can find a parking map here.
Remember: Seating is general admission, so arrive early to get the seats you want.
What time will the Iowa state soccer tournament games start?
The first boys quarterfinal game will begin at Cownie Sports Complex on Tuesday at 10 a.m. on Field 9. Semifinal games will take place on Thursday, and the championship game will be played on Saturday.
The first girls quarterfinal game will start at Cownie Sports Complex on Wednesday at 10 a.m. on Field 9. Semifinal games will be played Friday, and the championship game will be played on Saturday.
Cownie Sports Complex policies and rules
Before heading to the tournament, be sure to get familiar with what is and isn't allowed at Cownie Sports Complex.
Parking on grass medians is not allowed unless noted otherwise.
You can bring lawn chairs, strollers and umbrellas into the complex, but you cannot bring outside food, alcohol or pets (unless it's a licensed service animal).
Smoking is also prohibited.
No tailgating will be permitted in the complex's parking lots, so leave your grills at home.
You can only enter the complex once — so bring anything you need with you the first go-around.
Spectators and participants alike are, of course, expected to be good sports — and rushing the field is not allowed.
Downtown Des Moines restaurants
There are a handful of Des Moines' downtown restaurants that are only a short drive away from Cownie Sports Complex. The city has just about everything. Whether you're feeling a burger, sushi or something outside the box (like fried alligator), Des Moines has you covered. Downtown Des Moines boasts coffee shops, breakfast joints and doughnut shops if you're in need of some caffeine or sugar.
There are many dining options across the river in East Village, as well, if you want to stick a little closer to the action.
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Hotels in downtown Des Moines
If you're planning for a longer stay in downtown Des Moines or in the East Village, the city offers a variety of hotels and countless Airbnb rentals close to all of the action. Click here to see a list of some nearby. More hotels close to the tournament can be found here.
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This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 2023 Iowa high school state soccer tournament: Know before you go
