Des Moines, Iowa
TEAMS (FIRST SEASON): Pacific Coast League Iowa Cubs (1969); NBA G League Iowa Wolves (2007); Indoor Football League Iowa Barnstormers (2008); AHL Iowa Wild (2013)
VENUES (YEAR OPENED): Principal Park (1992); Wells Fargo Arena (2005)
Iowa Wolves President Ryan Grant says Des Moines is like the country’s “smallest big city,” with fans who expect to be treated to top-notch experiences. It helps then to have Wells Fargo Arena, an impressive venue that is home to the Wolves, Wild and Barnstormers. All three teams mentioned the 16,000-seat, Spectra-run facility as a huge asset when it comes to attracting and keeping fans.
The teams in Des Moines, our top-ranked market two years ago, act more like major league franchises in the way they strategize attendance, plan events and market their product. The Barnstormers, who annually rank among the top teams in the IFL in attendance by averaging 6,436 a game over the past five seasons, recently began streaming all their games on YouTube in order to reach more fans.
Wild President Todd Frederickson has had success using theme nights and postgame concerts to attract fans. These promotions have helped the team to a 92% season-ticket renewal rate, and a 12% gain in ticket revenue year over year.
“We’re bringing in those fans that might not necessarily be hockey fans, and then they become hooked on hockey,” he said. “We know once we get them in the arena, we can sell them on the hockey.” — John Aceti
Photo gallery: Des Moines
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