Casey's Center is the former Wells Fargo Arena
Casey's Center is the largest arena in Des Moines, the main building of the Iowa Events Center on the downtown riverfront at 730 3rd Street. It hosts arena tours, the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League, the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League, the Iowa Barnstormers of the Indoor Football League, and the state high school wrestling and basketball tournaments. For most events the best seats are in the lower and middle levels near center court or center ice; the best value is the center of the 300 level, sections 303–305 and 319–321.
Until June 30, 2025, the building was Wells Fargo Arena. Wells Fargo chose not to renew its original naming deal, and Casey's General Stores, the Iowa-based convenience chain, signed a ten-year agreement announced on October 21, 2024. The new name took effect on July 1, 2025. Same building, same seats, same address; only the signs and the ticket headers changed.
The three seating levels and how they are numbered
Casey's Center is a three-level bowl around a flat floor. Section numbers below come from the RateYourSeats section listing and the arena's event maps; the exact sections sold vary by event, so use the map on each event page as the final word.
100 level
The lower bowl circles the floor in the 101–124 range, with a few courtside or club-style sections (listed as C115 to C117) on the floor edge for basketball. These rows are the closest raised seats in the building.
200 level
The middle ring runs 201–228. It sits between suite levels and gives an elevated, full-floor look that suits basketball and end-stage concerts.
300 level
The upper ring runs 301–323. Two rings of suites sit below it, so it is higher than the section numbers suggest. Sections run about 14 rows, A through N, with row A at the front. Facing the floor, lower seat numbers are on your right. Stadium Journey's reviewer notes that upper-level seats are narrower than those downstairs, so an aisle seat is worth the search.
Floor
For concerts the floor is split into numbered sections or sold as general admission standing room, and some events add a premium area called The Loft. Fight cards use ringside floor sections.
Best seats by event, and the ones to pass on
End-stage concerts
The floor straight back from the stage gives the closest look; the lower side sections nearest the stage (around 102–106 and 114–118 on most maps) are the best raised seats because you see over the floor crowd. For the full lighting design, a center seat on the 200 level facing the stage beats the back half of a flat floor. Pass on lower sections far around the curve toward the stage, which see the side of the set, and on any section beside or behind the stage that is sold as limited view.
Basketball
Midcourt is the answer: sections around 104 and 204 on one side and their counterparts across the floor. RateYourSeats marks 304 and 320 as the upper-level midcourt seats. Baseline sections cost less and work for the atmosphere at a busy state tournament session.
Iowa Wild hockey
Choose center ice in the 100 level, about ten rows up so the glass and the benches do not interrupt the far end. Stadium Journey's review describes the Wild configuration as more intimate, with unused upper areas tarped off, so the seats on sale for a regular-season AHL game may be fewer than the full capacity suggests. The upper corners are the hardest place to follow the puck.
Arena football
For the Barnstormers, sideline sections in the lower bowl are best. The indoor field is small, so front rows along the sideline put you very close to the action.
Capacity by event
Casey's Center holds about 15,000 for sports and entertainment, according to the Iowa Events Center. Wikipedia breaks it down further:
- Hockey and arena football: 15,181
- Basketball: 16,110
- End-stage concerts: 16,285, with some configurations listed up to about 16,980
The arena's busiest stretches are late winter, when the high school state tournaments fill it for days at a time, and the fall and spring touring seasons. Garth Brooks played six sold-out shows here in 2016.
Parking, the skywalk and getting downtown
Casey's Center has about 1,300 parking spaces on site and sits within reach of roughly 10,000 downtown spaces, according to the venue. City garages are less than two blocks away, metered street parking surrounds the building, and rates change by event. Anyone can drop off a guest with a disability at the front entrance; accessible parking requires a state-issued placard or plate.
The arena connects to the rest of the Iowa Events Center and to the Des Moines Skywalk, the enclosed second-floor walkway system downtown. In a January cold snap, parking in a skywalk-connected garage and walking indoors is the comfortable choice. The arena is a short drive from I-235, and leaving a few minutes before the final buzzer or waiting out the first rush both help on sold-out nights.
Clear bag rule, mobile tickets and entry
As of 2026, Casey's Center enforces a clear bag policy: one clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches, or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, or a small clutch up to about 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Medical, family and child-care bags are allowed after inspection. Backpacks and oversized bags are turned away, and the arena does not hold belongings.
- Tickets: most events use mobile tickets stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet and scanned by tapping your phone. Screenshots do not work, and a group arriving separately should transfer tickets ahead of time.
- Doors: usually 60 minutes before the start time.
- Re-entry: none.
- Payment: concessions are card-only; cash can be loaded onto a card at the Overtime Tap stand near section 108.
- Strollers: not allowed, and there is no stroller check.
Confirm the current rules on the Iowa Events Center policy page before you go.
Accessible seating
Accessible seats are located throughout the building and are sold for the guest with a disability plus one companion.
Twenty years on the riverfront
The arena cost about 117 million dollars and opened in July 2005, replacing the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center as Des Moines's main event room. The first event was Tony Hawk's Boom Boom Huck Jam on July 1, 2005, and the first concert, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, followed on July 18. The Fort, a restaurant overlooking the Des Moines River and the Iowa State Capitol, opened that October.
Since then the building has hosted NCAA men's tournament first- and second-round games in 2016, 2019 and 2023, the 2013 NCAA wrestling championships and the 2011 NBA D-League Finals, when the Iowa Energy set a league attendance record of 14,036. The Iowa Events Center reports more than ten million guests in the arena's first twenty years. More detail is on the arena's Wikipedia entry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Casey's Center the same as Wells Fargo Arena?
Yes. The Des Moines arena was Wells Fargo Arena from 2005 to June 30, 2025, and became Casey's Center on July 1, 2025, under a ten-year naming deal with Casey's General Stores.
What is the capacity of Casey's Center?
About 15,000 for most sports and entertainment. Wikipedia lists 15,181 for hockey and arena football, 16,110 for basketball and roughly 16,300 to 17,000 for end-stage concerts.
Does Casey's Center have a clear bag policy?
Yes. As of 2026, bags must be clear and no larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches, or a small clutch about 4.5 by 6.5 inches; medical and child-care bags are inspected. Check the venue's policy page before you go.
Where are the best seats at Casey's Center?
Lower and middle-level sections at center court or center ice give the best view. For value, center sections 303-305 and 319-321 on the 300 level look straight down the middle.
Where do I park for Casey's Center?
The arena has about 1,300 on-site spaces, and city garages less than two blocks away connect to the downtown skywalk. Rates vary by event.
Can I leave and come back into Casey's Center?
No. The venue does not allow re-entry once you exit.