Photo via Jessica Gohn | IAwrestle
From IHSAA
The traditional state tournament schedule was re-examined after feedback received from coaches and administrators over the last three years regarding the current structure, number of qualifiers, expense to schools, number of sessions, and length of the tournament (4 day implemented in 2022-23). When meeting with our wrestling advisory committee and members of the IWCOA multiple times including last spring’s meeting, the group was committed to keeping 24 qualifiers, which we support, and helped work to assess options. Logistically, it is not possible to have 3 classes of 24 qualifiers compete within three days. However, we have developed a schedule that keeps the 24 qualifiers per class and only requires one class every third year to wrestle over 4 days with the other two classes competing over three days. This revised schedule does also bring all semifinals together on Friday night. At last week’s IHSAA Board of Control meeting, the revised state wrestling tournament schedule, reviewed by the advisory committee, was approved. You can view the schedule HERE.
Key Outcomes
-
24 Qualifiers Maintained: The advisory committee and IWCOA emphasized preserving the 24-wrestler bracket format for each class.
-
Balanced Tournament Length: While it is not logistically possible to run three classes of 24 qualifiers in just three days, the new rotation allows two classes to compete over three days, with only one class each year wrestling across four days.
-
Unified Semifinals: For the first time, all semifinal matches across Classes 1A, 2A, and 3A will take place together on Friday night.
2026 Tournament Schedule Highlights
-
Wednesday Start: Class 3A begins competition on Wednesday afternoon, February 18.
-
Thursday Expansion: Class 1A opens Thursday morning, followed by Class 2A in the afternoon and evening alongside 3A quarterfinals.
-
Friday Night Feature: Semifinals for all three classes will run consecutively in a primetime session, showcasing the best of Iowa wrestling on one stage.
-
Saturday Finals: The tournament concludes Saturday, February 21, with the Grand March and finals for all classes following the consolation finals earlier in the day