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NCAA men's basketball tournament returning to Des Moines in 2023

Wells Fargo Arena has hosted tourney games in 2016 and 2019.

Credit: AP

FILE - Basketball with March Madness logo before practice at the NCAA college basketball tournament in Des Moines, Iowa (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

DES MOINES, Iowa — March Madness is coming back to Des Moines.

The NCAA announced Wednesday that Wells Fargo Arena will be a host site for First and Second Round games in the 2023 men's basketball tournament.

As the host school, Drake University will not be able to play in Des Moines if they make the tournament.

But Iowa, Iowa State and UNI are all eligible to play in central Iowa if they make it to the "Big Dance."

Wells Fargo Arena hosted men's tournament games in 2016 and 2019.

#DSMUSA is an events town & we have put on a great tournament here twice before. The NCAA has noticed. As #DSMHometownTeam, @DrakeUniversity/@dubulldogs is pleased to serve as host institution & work with our tremendous community partners to bring @marchmadness back to our city. https://t.co/xgllhUllRS
— Brian Hardin (@DrakeADHardin) October 14, 2020

🚨 The 2023 #MarchMadness sites have been announced! 🚨https://t.co/wOV1ruBZkF #NCAAHost pic.twitter.com/KGpNh15el5
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) October 14, 2020

Credit: AP

Louisville center Steven Enoch (23) fights for a rebound with Minnesota guard Amir Coffey, right, during a first round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 21, 2019, in Des Moines, Iowa. Minnesota won 86-76. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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