NCAA Wrestling Championships Set to Begin This Weekend in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships are set to kick off this weekend, running from Thursday through Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center, featuring over 330 of the best collegiate wrestlers in the nation.

Ten champions will be crowned in a double-elimination tournament, while the top eight wrestlers in each weight class will receive All-America honors. The University of Pennsylvania‘s wrestling program will host the prestigious event, as it’s expected to draw a large attendance from the wrestling community.

The current rankings highlight leading teams, such as Penn State, which boasts a flawless record of 15-0, led by their head coach, who recently earned the Big Ten‘s Coach of the Year award. They look to secure their 12th national championship title, having previously won in 2024.

Other top competitors include Iowa (14-1), which maintains at least one wrestler competing in every NCAA championship finals since 1990, and Oklahoma State (13-1), boasting the success of individual wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson, the only conference champion to advance to Philadelphia.

Northern Iowa (14-1) seeks to build on a tradition of excellence under their head coach, whose athletes have collectively earned 20 All-America honors. Meanwhile, Nebraska‘s standout wrestler Caleb Smith holds a pre-seed at No. 2 in the 125-pound weight class.

The championship bracket includes programs with significant histories, such as Minnesota (10-2), where Gable Steveson made headlines as the first heavyweight to win four Big Ten titles. Ohio State, Virginia Tech, and NC State follow closely in the rankings, with their own goals for accomplishment this weekend.

In event of at-large bids, wrestlers have one more opportunity to secure their spot in the tournament prior to the matches. Selection for these bids was announced on March 11.

The scoring system for matches is straightforward. Wrestlers compete in seven-minute bouts, divided into three periods: the first lasting three minutes and the last two at two minutes each. Athletes can secure victory through a pin, technical fall, or by outscoring their opponent.

The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships has a rich history, dating back to 1928, with annual traditions carried forward except for years of global conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic.

For statistical enthusiasts, Oklahoma State leads the chart for the most individual titles, boasting 143 titles, followed closely by Iowa with 84. The most team championships are held by Oklahoma State (34), followed by Iowa (24) and Penn State (12), which is aiming towards the top once again.

As the tournament progresses, wrestling fans are invited to keep an eye on the competition and the potential upsets, as the best wrestlers in the college ranks vie for national recognition.