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National Governing Body · United States

USA Wrestling

Wrestling's U.S. governing body — a record 374,000 members, 5,000 clubs, and a World Team decided by a best-of-three wrestle-off.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
SportWrestling
Founded1968 · incorporated under the present name 1983
HeadquartersColorado Springs, Colorado
Members374,000+ · 5,000+ chartered clubs · 2,200+ sanctioned events a year
PresidentBruce Baumgartner (re-elected 2024, term 2025–28)
SelectionWorld Team Trials → Final X, best-of-three per weight

What is USA Wrestling?

USA Wrestling is the sole national governing body for wrestling in the United States, recognised by United World Wrestling and the USOPC. It was organised in 1968 as the United States Wrestling Federation and incorporated under its present name in 1983, when it took over from the AAU as the sport's American authority.[1] [2]

What does it govern?

Freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's freestyle wrestling. It issues the individual athlete, coach and official memberships required to compete, charters clubs, sanctions events, publishes the rulebook, certifies coaches, and administers SafeSport and anti-doping compliance — all through state federations in every state. Membership passed 374,000 in April 2026, a fourth consecutive record, across more than 5,000 chartered clubs and 2,200 sanctioned events a year.[1] [3]

What competitions does it run?

The US Open, the World Team Trials and Final X, the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Games years, Folkstyle Nationals, the Women's Nationals, and the full age-group ladder from Kids through 16U, Junior and U20 Nationals.[1] [2]

How does it select the national team?

By competition, against criteria published in advance. Each style has its own written selection procedure, drafted by its sport committee and approved by the executive committee. In non-Olympic years the senior World Team is decided at the World Team Trials and then at Final X — a best-of-three wrestle-off in each weight class, a format used since 2018. In Olympic years the Olympic Team Trials decide it. Placing at these events also sets the Senior National Team for the year.[2] [3]

Why does it matter?

Because it is both the licensing body and the selector: an American wrestler's membership, sanctioned results, national ranking and team place all live in one system, and the wrestle-off format means the team is decided on the mat rather than by a panel.[1] [2]

References

  1. USA Wrestling — themat.com. Accessed August 2026.
  2. USA Wrestling — team selection criteria. Accessed August 2026.
  3. USA Wrestling sets a new membership record, surpassing 374k members. Accessed August 2026.