Women’s wrestling is the sixth emerging sport to earn NCAA championship status. Since the emerging sports program was established in 1994, five women’s sports have earned NCAA championship status: rowing (1996), ice hockey (2000), water polo (2000), bowling (2003) and beach volleyball (2015).

The NCAA has officially recognized women's wrestling as its 91st championship sport, marking a significant milestone for female athletes across the nation. This

The addition of women's wrestling as the NCAA's 91st championship sport was approved at the NCAA convention this week.

The NCAA said in a press release that Divisions I, II and III approved the addition at the Association's annual convention this week in Nashville.

There were 76 women's wrestling programs at NCAA schools in 2023-24, with projections pointing to an additional 17 programs in 2024-25. More than 1,200 women wrestlers are competing at NCAA schools today.

On Friday, the NCAA voted to make women's wrestling an official NCAA championship sport, beginning in the 2025-26 season. In February of 2024, the Committee on Women's Athletics recommended Division I,

In the 2025-26 academic year, a new national championship will join the NCAA tree of sports tournaments. The NCAA will sanction a wrestling tournament for women at the Division I, II and III levels, it announced Friday in the midst of the college sports governing body's annual convention in Nashville.