Drake University will serve as a host for the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds at Wells Fargo Arena, the NCAA announced Wednesday, Oct. 14. Drake joins its local organizing committee partners Catch Des Moines, the Iowa Events Center and Polk County in bringing the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament back to Des Moines and Wells Fargo Arena for the third time since 2016. Drake also served as the host in 2019.
"As Des Moines' Hometown Team, it is an honor to partner with Polk County, the City of Des Moines, Catch Des Moines and Wells Fargo Arena to bring the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament back to Des Moines," said Drake director of athletics Brian Hardin.