Drake Stadium

The first thing that strikes you about the facility is its shape. That architecture has been stripped away, but the sense of the place remains different from the enclosed concrete boxes now common in American collegiate sports.

Today the stadium is defined by its dual purpose. The red synthetic track, known locally as "The Blue Oval," wraps around the green artificial turf. It is a clean separation of function. The track was resurfaced in 2016 to meet international standards, and the surface is hard and even. The turf beneath it is also synthetic, laid down during the renovation that followed the stadium's centenary.

The venue is famous for the Drake Relays, a track and field meet that has been held here for over a century. The attendance record of 38,161, set at the high school championships in 2016, suggests that when the event takes place, the simple terraces fill to the brim. In recent years the ground has also hosted the Des Moines Menace, a USL League One side that has played its home matches here since 2019.

The contrast between the old images and the current reality is stark. The original seating capacity of 18,000 was cut in the 2005-2006 rebuild, leaving space for the wider track that defines the modern facility. It is a working stadium, built for athletics first and football second, and the track is the story it tells.