NCAA Division I
1928First championships
Penn State2026 team champion (181.5, record)
Cleveland2026 host city
10Individual titles decided
The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships decide ten individual national titles and the team title each March. In 2026 in Cleveland, Penn State scored a record 181.5 points and four true freshmen won titles, a first.
The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships are a three-day, 330-wrestler tournament held each March. Wrestlers qualify through their conference tournaments, then compete in 33-man brackets at each of ten weight classes from 125 to 285 pounds. Placewinners in the top eight earn All-American status.
Team scores come from advancement and bonus points: wins by fall, technical fall or major decision earn extra points, and placing high in the bracket adds more. That is why a team with many finalists — like Penn State in 2026 — can score far beyond the runner-up.
Latest results
2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships — March 19–21, 2026, Cleveland, Ohio.
Penn StateTeam champion, 181.5 points (record)
Oklahoma StateRunner-up, 131 points
4Penn State individual champions
4True freshmen champions (a first)
Team standings (top two)
| Place | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penn State | 181.5 |
| 2 | Oklahoma State | 131 |
History & key moments
| Year | Moment |
|---|---|
| 1928 | First championships (unofficial team title to Oklahoma A&M) |
| 1934 | Team titles become official; Oklahoma A&M wins |
| 1978–1986 | Iowa wins nine straight titles under Dan Gable |
| 2011 | Penn State's first title under Cael Sanderson |
| 2024–2026 | Penn State breaks the team scoring record three years running |
| 2026 | Cleveland: Penn State 181.5 points; four true freshmen win titles |
A fan's guide
The NCAA Championships run across six sessions over three days, and the best way to follow them is bracket by bracket. Watch the Thursday sessions for upsets of top seeds, the Friday night semifinals for the best matches, and the Saturday finals for the champions. ESPN networks broadcast every session.
Fans attending should buy all-session passes, which usually sell out months in advance. The 2027 championships will again feature Penn State as the team favourite.
Our take
The NCAA tournament is the best three days in American amateur wrestling — the only event where every top college wrestler competes in the same bracket. The team race has been decided early for most of the 2020s, which shifts the drama to the individual brackets, and 2026 delivered: four freshman champions is a first in the event's history.
Our view on the team race is simple: Penn State's depth is unmatched, and until another program can put six or more wrestlers in the semifinals, the title will stay in State College. Oklahoma State, with three freshman champions, is the most likely challenger by 2028.
What's next
The 2027 NCAA Championships will be held in March. Conference tournaments in early March decide qualifiers; our schedule lists the dates as they are confirmed.
Latest coverage
FAQ
Who won the 2026 NCAA wrestling championship?
Penn State, with a record 181.5 points.
How many weight classes are there?
Ten: 125, 133, 141, 149, 157, 165, 174, 184, 197 and 285 pounds.
Which school has the most NCAA wrestling titles?
Oklahoma State (including Oklahoma A&M), with 34.