The mission of the Iowa Games is to provide Iowa citizens with a wholesome avenue for positive personal development through sports and physical activity, to recognize their dedication and achievement, to enable all citizens the opportunity to utilize quality sport facilities and to create an amateur sports network of administrators, officials and volunteers throughout Iowa to further the development of amateur athletic programs. In addition, the Iowa Games encourages all Iowans to practice sportsmanship, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship, while striving to be a champion on and off the field of play.

What are the Iowa Games

The Iowa Games began in August of 1987 as a weekend event, featuring 16 sports and 7,104 participants (nearly a record number at that time for a first-year state games). For the first time, weekend athletes, school children and senior citizens could experience the thrill of great performances and satisfaction of doing their best in a statewide Olympic-style competition.