AAU Junior Olympics coming to Des Moines for 12-day, multisport event

[ASFN Admin]

The largest multisport youth event in the United States is coming to Des Moines, bringing with it nearly 15,500 athletes and coaches, thousands of volunteers and an expected $78 million of economic impact for the area.

For the eighth time and the first since 2023, the Amateur Athletic Union, or AAU, is holding its Junior Olympic Games in Iowa from July 28 to Aug. 8. The state has been the host of the games more times than any other in the nation, according to a release from the AAU.

This year's games will feature 16 different sport competitions, ranging from the marquee track and field events to jump rope.

Des Moines will host the games again in 2030, but if you want to catch them this time around, here's what to know.

Where and when are this year's events?​

Competitions will be held at various locations across the Des Moines area as well as some outside the metro. Day passes for events are $20, and a full pass to all competitions is $50. Children ages 3 and younger are free.

You must be registered for see images

Here's when and where to find this year's events:

• Baton Twirling: July 29-31, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
• Cheerleading: July 29, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
• Dance: Aug. 4-7, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
• Field Hockey: Aug. 2-6, University of Iowa Grant Field, 2575 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City
• Flag Football: July 30-Aug. 2, Hy-Vee Multiplex,1000 N.E. Heritage Drive, Grimes
• Grappling: July 31, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
• Gymnastics: Aug. 4-7, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
• Jump Rope: Aug. 1-3, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
• Karate and Sport Karate: July 31-Aug. 1, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
• Sport Stacking: Aug. 1-2, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
• Strength Sports: July 29-31, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
• Swimming: July 28-Aug. 2, Wellmark YMCA, 501 Grand Ave., Des Moines
• Taekwondo: July 29-Aug. 2, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
• Track and Field/Multi-Events: Aug. 1-8, Drake Stadium, 2719 Forest Ave., Des Moines
• Trampoline and Tumbling: Aug. 4-7, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
• Wrestling: Aug. 1-2. MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines

If you're not able to make it to an event in person, select events will be shown on the AAU's streaming platform AAU+. More information about the games can be found on the AAU's website or on Catch Des Moines' website.

Isabelle Foland is a communities reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: AAU Junior Olympics coming to Des Moines for 12-day, multisport event

Continue reading...