NSAA State Wrestling Championships

Every February the Nebraska School Activities Association holds its individual state wrestling championships at CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha. The tournament moved to the arena in 2006 and has become one of the biggest annual events on its calendar, with mats spread across the arena floor and wrestlers from every class of school in the state.

The week now includes both girls and boys championships. In 2027 the girls tournament runs February 16 and 17, followed by the boys tournament February 18 to 20, ending with finals on Saturday.

For small-town Nebraska, this is a big trip. Whole communities travel to Omaha to cheer on their wrestlers, which makes the stands loud and the hotels busy. If you have a family member competing, this is a weekend to plan around early.

Highlights

• Individual state championships for every Nebraska high school class
• Girls and boys tournaments in the same week
• Multiple mats running at once on the arena floor
• Saturday finals session
• Held at CHI Health Center since 2006

Tips for going

• Tickets are sold per session through the NSAA's Ticketmaster links; finals sessions are the busiest.
• Book lodging early if your town has wrestlers in the field. Downtown hotels near the arena fill fast this week.
• Bring a seat cushion and plan for long days; sessions run for hours.
• February weather can turn quickly; check road conditions if driving in from greater Nebraska.
• Download the NSAA brackets before you go to follow your wrestlers mat to mat.