Wrestling | October 14, 2020

PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania, in conjunction with Drexel University and PHL Sports, has been selected to host the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship at the Wells Fargo Center, the NCAA announced today.

Philadelphia, and more specifically the University of Pennsylvania, has a long and storied history with wrestling, beginning with hosting the first intercollegiate tournament on Penn's campus in 1905. We are thrilled to team with our friends at the NCAA, PHL Sports, Drexel University and the Wells Fargo Center to bring the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship to our great city," said Dr. M. Grace Calhoun, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W'69 Director of Athletics and Recreation at Penn. "The Philadelphia wrestling eco-system is robust, with nationally-recognized programs, renowned coaches, and significant alumni and volunteer support which will galvanize the broader community in supporting this world-class event. On behalf of the local organizing committee, we can't wait to roll out the mats in South Philadelphia in 2025!"

Philadelphia and the Wells Fargo Center last hosted the NCAA Wrestling Championship in 2011, setting a new three-day attendance record. The final session drew the second-most fans behind the 2007 Championship in Michigan.

"Penn Wrestling is thrilled to partner in hosting the NCAA Championships, returning to Philadelphia following a record-setting event in 2011," Roger Reina, Head Wrestling Coach at Penn, said. "I was honored to serve as Chair of the Local Organizing Committee for those 2011 Championships and can't wait to be on the floor coaching Penn wrestlers in 2025. Our region is well-known as a wrestling hotbed at every level of competition from youth, to scholastic, collegiate, and Olympic levels. We will celebrate both Penn Wrestling's monumental legacy and our region's incredible love for our great sport."

The Wells Fargo Center recently completed a $265M renovation project, which significantly upgraded the fan experience with numerous amenities throughout the venue. Most visible is the world's first center-hung 4K Kinetic video board, which is 65% larger than the previous version.

In addition to the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship, Penn is also hosting the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball East Regional at the Wells Fargo Center.