The NCAA will crown its first National Collegiate women's wrestling champions this weekend at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, launching a new era with the Association's 91st championship.
Just over a year after women's wrestling was officially added as an NCAA championship, 180 student-athletes will compete for the first NCAA titles in the sport's history.
Here's everything to know about the 2026 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships, including how to watch, schedule details, weight classes and top contenders.
Fast facts
- When: Friday and Saturday.
- Where: Xtream Arena, Coralville, Iowa.
- How to watch: ESPN+.
- Field size: 180 qualifiers.
- Weight classes: 10.
- Format: National Collegiate Championships (Divisions I, II and III compete together).
How to watch the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships
The championship will stream live on ESPN+.
Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hildebrandt, who competed collegiately at King (Tennessee), and Olympic champion and two-time NCAA champion Jordan Burroughs of Nebraska will serve as broadcast analysts.
Burroughs captured NCAA titles in 2009 and 2011 before becoming one of the most decorated wrestlers in U.S. history. Hildebrandt built her collegiate foundation before ascending to the Olympic podium, reflecting the pathway from college wrestling to international success.
Championship schedule
All times are Central.
Friday
- Session 1: 10 a.m. — prelims and first round (120 matches).
- Session 2: 4 p.m. — second round of championship brackets, first and second round of consolation brackets (120 matches).
Saturday
- Session 3: 10 a.m. — championship bracket semifinals, third round and semifinals of consolation brackets (90 matches).
- Session 4: 7 p.m. — championship finals (10 matches).
Buy championship tickets
Fans can purchase all-session tickets through the Xtream Arena ticketing page. All-session pricing is available for adults and students, and tickets remain on sale while supplies last.
Fans also can subscribe to NCAA email updates to receive championship promotions directly to their inbox.
How the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships field is built
The inaugural NCAA championship features 180 qualifiers across 10 weight classes.
Six regional tournaments determined the field, with the top three finishers at each weight advancing to nationals. That creates an 18-wrestler bracket at every weight and ensures representation from programs across all three divisions.
Each school may qualify one wrestler per weight class.
Related: In this profile, explore how Olympic gold cemented Sarah Hildebrandt's legacy as a trailblazer for women's wrestling.
NCAA women's wrestling weight classes
Champions will be crowned in 10 divisions: 103, 110, 117, 124, 131, 138, 145, 160, 180 and 207 pounds.
Growth of NCAA women's wrestling
The NCAA officially added women's wrestling as its 91st championship in January 2025 after the sport advanced through the Emerging Sports for Women program. It joined the program in 2020.
The growth numbers tell the story:
- In 2023-24, 76 NCAA schools reported sponsoring women's wrestling.
- More than 1,200 women wrestlers were competing at NCAA schools at the time of championship approval.
- In 2024-25, 95 NCAA schools reported sponsoring the sport with more than 1,700 student-athletes.
Related: Learn how Helen Maroulis and Hildebrandt helped fuel the explosive growth of women's wrestling in this Olympic spotlight story.
What is the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program?
The NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program is designed to help schools expand athletics opportunities for women while giving growing sports a pathway to full NCAA championship status.
Created in 1994 following recommendations from the NCAA Gender Equity Task Force, the program was built to help close participation gaps between men's and women's sports. The NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact oversees the program.
Nine sports were originally on the list. Since then, eight have achieved championship status — beach volleyball, rowing, ice hockey, water polo, bowling, women's wrestling, acrobatics and tumbling, and stunt.
Women's wrestling joined the Emerging Sports for Women program in 2020 and officially became the NCAA's 91st championship in 2025.
Top teams to watch at the women's wrestling championships
If you want one snapshot of who enters Coralville with the most title equity, the tournament-style rankings point to a clear top tier.
The favorites right now
- McKendree: Ranked No. 1 nationally in the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll and winner of three straight national team championships from 2020-22, McKendree remains one of the sport's most consistent powers.
- Iowa: The No. 2 ranked team and back-to-back national champion entering the first NCAA title chase.
- North Central (Illinois): Ranked No. 3 nationally and a team champion in 2023, North Central continues to contend at the highest level.
- Grand Valley State: Ranked No. 4 nationally and bringing eight wrestlers to the finals, including the top seed in the 138-pound weight class.
Related: Read more about Grand Valley State's Sage Mortimer and the mindset that fuels one of women's wrestling's rising stars in this NCAA feature.
No. 1 seeds at the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships
The top seeds across the 10 weight classes at the 2026 nationals include:
- 103: Heather Crull, McKendree.
- 110: Audrey Jimenez, Lehigh.
- 117: Yu Sakamoto, McKendree.
- 124: Sara Sterner, North Central (Illinois).
- 131: Cameron Guerin, McKendree.
- 138: Katerina Lange, Grand Valley State.
- 145: Reese Larramendy, Iowa.
- 160: Kennedy Blades, Iowa.
- 180: Kylie Welker, Iowa.
- 207: Tristan Kelly, McKendree.
Related: Read more about Iowa's Kennedy Blades and her pursuit of the first NCAA women's wrestling trophy in this feature on her championship journey.
Notable wrestlers to watch based on NCAA award standings
The NCAA's award leaderboards entering championship week highlight wrestlers who have separated themselves through dominance and bonus-point production.
Among the standouts in this year's bracket:
- Heather Crull, 103, McKendree: Tied for seventh nationally in points per match at 4.21.
- Audrey Jimenez, 110, Lehigh: Ranked second nationally at 4.59 points per match.
- Karissa Turnwall, 117, Emmanuel (Georgia): Ranked fourth nationally at 4.26 points per match.
- Abigail Cooper, 117, Lehigh: Tied for second nationally in technical falls (18).
- Savannah Witt, 124, Eastern University: Leads nation in points per match at 4.6 points per match.
- Zoey Lints, 145, Elmira: Tied for second nationally in total falls (22) and third in points per match (4.39).
- Sophia Bassino, 160, Northern Michigan: National leader in technical falls (20).
- Isabella Renfro, 180, Fort Hays State: Ranks sixth nationally in points per match (4.22).
- Talisha Lewis, 207, Felician: Ranks fifth in the nation in points per match (4.23).
