Wrestling

ACC Wrestling Matches All-Time High with 39 NCAA Automatic Qualifiers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) — The Atlantic Coast Conference will send 39 automatic qualifiers to the 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, matching the league’s all-time high and reinforcing the ACC’s position among the nation’s elite wrestling conferences.

The 39 pre-allocations equal the conference record previously set in 2022 and reflect the ACC’s outstanding performance throughout the 2025-26 regular season. The NCAA Championships will take place March 19-21 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

The ACC’s automatic qualifiers are distributed across 10 weight classes: 125 (5), 133 (3), 141 (5), 149 (4), 157 (4), 165 (4), 174 (3), 184 (4), 197 (3) and 285 (4).

Pre-allocations to each qualifying tournament were determined based on regular-season performance through February 23, using a sliding scale that measured win percentage, coaches’ ranking and RPI ranking. Wrestlers had to meet minimum standards of a .700 winning percentage, a top-30 coaches’ ranking and a top-30 RPI ranking, with a maximum of 29 wrestlers qualifying per weight class.

The 2026 ACC Wrestling Championship is set for Sunday, March 8, at Cassell Coliseum on the campus of Virginia Tech, where the conference’s automatic bids to nationals will be secured.

Following the completion of conference championships nationwide, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will select 42 at-large qualifiers on March 10. Championship brackets and seeds will be revealed at 8 p.m. ET on March 11 on NCAA.com. Each weight class at the national championship will feature a 33-wrestler field.

For a complete breakdown of the championship selection process, visit NCAA.org.

The road to a national title culminates March 19-21 in Cleveland, as the ACC’s top wrestlers take the mat on the sport’s biggest stage.

2026 ACC Wrestling Championship Tickets On Sale Now
Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 ACC Wrestling Championship, scheduled for Sunday, March 8, at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia. Advance Online Pricing is just $10, while Day-of Pricing is $15. Children ages two and under are admitted free (no ticket required), and all seating is general admission. All ticket sales are digital and can be purchased online by clicking here: ACC Wrestling Championship Tickets.