Corporate Games Champions Honored
Winners of the Des Moines Corporate Games presented by Wellmark were celebrated at the Awards Celebration during the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Friday, August 21. It was a spectacular day celebrating all of our participating companies from this year. Registration for the 2027 Corporate Games will open September 1, 2026!
Corporate champions (listed in order of first, second and third places):
- Division 1: Corteva Agriscience, Principal, John Deere
- Division 2: Dee Zee, LCS, F&G
- Division 3: DLL Finance, FHLB DM, Farmers Mutual Hail
- Division 4: R&R Realty Group, Wellabe, Ernst & Young
- Division 5: Iowa Soybean Association, Source Allies, Foster Group
- Division 6: KCL Engineering, Eide Bailly, ADM
“The Des Moines Corporate Games had another fantastic year as we continue to bring new companies into the fold to experience our action-packed summer,” says Chuck Long, CEO and Executive Director of the Iowa Sports Foundation. “Along with our intent to offer activities for employees of all ability levels, we make sure companies are placed among similar sized peers for the games. We’re proud to say our 8 weeks of friendly competition and team building benefit everyone. We’re hoping to see more companies get involved next year so get your team prepped and ready for a big 2027!”
The 2026 Des Moines Corporate Games presented by Wellmark saw multiple repeat champions continue to show off and show out in their divisions. Corteva have officially claimed the Division 1 championship for the SIXTH straight year, fending off a strong push from Principal. Dee Zee claim their first division trophy, while DLL Finance and R&R continue to show their corporate dominance. Iowa Soybean Association is back to winning ways in Division 5, and KCL Engineering, in their first summer with the Corporate Games, take home the Division 6 crown!
“We’re definitely doing it again. It was good team building, and it provided some variety in the daily workflow. It also allowed us the opportunity to get to know other coworkers!” - Jake C, KCL Engineering.
“Corporate Games was the best part of my summer. I did several walks/runs, but trivia and tug of war were first time events for me.” – Margie L, R&R Realty
Blood Donation, Meals from the Heartland Challenges, Volunteer Service Awards
In addition to physical and mental activities offered, our service-based challenges remained a large part of the Corporate Games. Supplies of blood products typically run low in the summer, and our participants partner with LifeServe Blood Center to increase donations during these critical months. Over 1,100 participants donated over the course of the summer.
- Division 1: Principal – 123 Units
- Division 2: Dee Zee – 51 Units
- Division 3: FHLB Des Moines – 36 Units
- Division 4: ClaimDoc – 30 Units
- Division 5: Source Allies – 23 Units
- Division 6 KEDbluestone – 21 Units
We also enjoyed another great partnership with Meals from the Heartland to provide volunteer opportunities for participating companies to package meals for those in need in the Des Moines area and around the world. Throughout the summer, nearly 2,000 participants packed meals.
- Division 1: Farm Bureau Financial Services – 399 Volunteers
- Division 2: EFCO – 134 Volunteers
- Division 3: Farmers Mutual Hail – 141 Volunteers
- Division 4: Wellabe – 110 Volunteers
- Division 5: Foth – 16 Volunteers
- Division 6: Eide Bailly – 50 Volunteers
Volunteers from many companies stepped up to assist with event operation during the Corporate Games. Companies with the most volunteers earned the Volunteer Service Award.
- Division 1: MidAmerican Energy Company
- Division 2: Palmer Group
- Division 3: DLL Finance
- Division 4: R&R Realty Group
- Division 5: Source Allies
- Division 6: Eide Bailly
About the Corporate Games
The Des Moines Corporate Games is a project of the Iowa Sports Foundation and the Greater Des Moines Partnership. The company-based competition, starting June 1 and ending July 31, enables and supports teamwork, company pride and corporate wellness through healthy competition. There are over 20 activities that include both competitive and non-competitive events. All events are held in the evenings and on weekends. Additional metro partners included area parks and recreation departments, Drake University, and the YMCA of Greater Des Moines. To learn more visit dmcorporategames.org.
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