When Does Wrestling Season Start? 2024–2025 Schedule by Level

By Sarah Miller · April 3, 2049

Wrestling season start dates vary by level and region, but generally begin in November for high school (NHFS) and December for NCAA Division I, with peak competition running through February and championships in March.

When Does Wrestling Season Start? A Complete Guide

The wrestling season typically begins in late fall to early winter across the United States, depending on the competitive level. For most high schools governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the season officially starts in early November. College wrestling under the NCAA begins official dual meets in early December. Youth programs often start even earlier, around September or October, to allow for extended training and development.

High School Wrestling Season Schedule

High school wrestling is one of the most popular scholastic sports in the U.S., with over 250,000 participants annually. The season follows a standardized timeline across most states, though slight variations exist due to state-specific regulations.

First practice: Early November
Regular season matches: Mid-November to February
Dual meets and tournaments: December–February
Sectional/district qualifiers: Late February
State championships: Late February to early March

Key Dates for 2024–2025 High School Season

Most states adhere closely to NFHS guidelines. Coaches and athletes should verify exact dates with their state athletic association.

NCAA College Wrestling Season Overview

NCAA Division I wrestling is widely regarded as the pinnacle of amateur wrestling in the U.S. The collegiate season is highly structured, culminating in the NCAA Championships each March.

Official practice start: Early November
First dual meet: First weekend of December
Conference tournaments: Late February to early March
NCAA Championships: Third weekend of March

2024–2025 NCAA Wrestling Key Dates

The 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will be held March 20–22, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri. Teams compete in dual meets and invitationals throughout January and February to build rankings and earn tournament bids.

Youth and Club Wrestling Calendar

Youth wrestling programs, including USA Wrestling-sanctioned clubs, operate on a more flexible schedule. These programs often run year-round but follow a competitive season aligned with national events.

Season start: September–October
Fall folkstyle tournaments: October–November
Winter freestyle/greco series: January–March
USA Wrestling Kids Nationals: June
Disney Folkstyle Nationals: April

International and Olympic Wrestling Seasons

FILA (United World Wrestling) governs international styles—freestyle and Greco-Roman. Unlike the U.S. folkstyle calendar, international seasons peak during summer months.

Senior World Championships: September
Olympic Games: Every four years in summer (next: 2028 Los Angeles)
Continental Championships: February–April
World Cups and Ranking Series: Throughout the year

Wrestling Season Start Dates by Level (2024–2025)

Level	First Practice	Competition Start	Championship Period	Primary Governing Body
Youth (Ages 6–14)	September 2024	October 2024	April–June 2025	USA Wrestling
High School	November 4, 2024	November 15, 2024	February 21–March 1, 2025	NFHS
NCAA Division I	November 4, 2024	December 6, 2024	March 20–22, 2025	NCAA
NJCAA (Junior College)	November 1, 2024	December 1, 2024	February 27–29, 2025	NJCAA
UWW Senior Freestyle	Year-round	January 2025	September 2025 (Belgrade)	United World Wrestling

Table data source:1, 2, 3, 4

The data shows that scholastic wrestling in the U.S. follows a consistent November–March calendar, while youth and international circuits have longer or offset schedules. NCAA and high school seasons align closely in practice timing but differ in competition start dates. International elite athletes train year-round with seasonal peaks tied to global events.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrestling Season

When does high school wrestling season start in most states?

In most U.S. states, high school wrestling season begins with official practices on November 4, 2024, and regular competitions starting mid-November. Exact dates may vary slightly by state athletic association rules.

What month does college wrestling start?

College wrestling practices begin in early November, with the first official NCAA dual meets scheduled for the first weekend of December. The 2024–2025 season starts competition on December 6, 2024.

Is wrestling a winter or spring sport?

Wrestling is classified as a winter sport in the U.S. scholastic system. The main season runs from November to March, with championships concluding by early spring. Internationally, freestyle wrestling events extend into summer.

How long is the high school wrestling season?

The typical high school wrestling season lasts about five months, starting with practice in early November and ending with state championships in late February or early March.

When are the NCAA Wrestling Championships held?

The 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will be held from March 20 to 22, 2025, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. This event concludes the collegiate wrestling season.