Drake University will serve as a host for the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament March 21-23, 2019 at Wells Fargo Arena. 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 first time since 2016.

Serving as the host institution continues Drake athletics' tradition of hosting championship events in Des Moines including the annual Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee, the 2013 USATF Championships, the NCAA Track & Field Championships in 2008, 2011 and 2012, the Iowa High School Track & Field State Championships and the AAU Track & Field Championships in 2008 and 2015.