WIAA Headquarters in Stevens Point. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has announced that the expanded team wrestling state tournament will move from Madison to La Crosse.
The WIAA Board of Control finalized a three-year contract for the event with the La Crosse Center, which is better suited to host the growing tournament.
“With the expansion of the State Team Wrestling Tournament format this year and the advent of the State Girls Team Tournament in 2027, this event has actually outgrown the UW Field House’s floor space and warm-up areas,” WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said in a press release. “The UW staff has created a welcoming environment for this tournament for 19 years. We are very grateful for nearly two decades of hospitality and look forward to continuing to host the Individual Championships on UW’s campus at the Kohl Center. We are excited to continue to provide the outstanding championship experience for the student-athletes, coaches and spectators with the move to the La Crosse Center.”
The 2026 tournament field will feature eight teams in all three classes. Previous iterations had an eight-team field for Division 1, with Divisions 2 and 3 sending four teams.
The floor of the La Crosse Center can fit 8-10 wrestling mats with additional space for warm-up areas, along with seating for up to 4,500 spectators.
The tournament will be known as the Meet on the Mississippi. Next year’s individual state tournament will be held February 26-28 at the Kohl Center. The team tournament will be the following weekend, March 6-7, 2026.
Comments