The Southern Conference Wrestling Championship Returns to Asheville

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference is proud to announce the Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championship will return to Asheville, North Carolina, for a two-day event in both 2025 and 2026. The event, sponsored by Explore Asheville, will strengthen a longstanding partnership between the league and the Asheville community, expand the championship's reach and provide the excitement of collegiate wrestling to locals and fans.

The Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championship will be held at Kimmel Arena on the campus of UNC Asheville, March 7-8, 2025, and will coincide with the Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships, which will also take place in Asheville, March 6-10, 2025, at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville. This overlapping schedule is designed to create an exciting atmosphere of competition and camaraderie. Bringing SoCon fans and the Western North Carolina region together for an action-packed week will elevate both events and further connect fans to the SoCon brand.

“We are looking forward to Asheville, North Carolina hosting the Explore Asheville Southern Conference Wrestling Championship for the next two years,” said SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross. “The Asheville area has proven to be an exceptional championship host, and we look forward to applying the best aspects of the Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships to wrestling, at a time when the sport is experiencing a national resurgence. Asheville is a remarkable, unique, and fun championship destination and the partnerships we have in place suggests we can enhance the experience for our wrestling student-athletes, coaches, and fans.  The visibility and opportunities surrounding the Explore Asheville Southern Conference Wrestling Championship will build on the strong relationships and community support of the Asheville area and will help support hurricane recovery for local businesses by bringing people to Buncombe County.”

The return of wrestling to Asheville aligns with the league’s broader vision of enhancing the championship experience and expanding its footprint across the region. Alongside this vision, the league aims to continue to amplify the message that “It’s All Here” in the SoCon.

“On behalf of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, we are energized and filled with heart to build upon the long-standing relationship between the Southern Conference and our community,” said Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville. “SoCon’s expansion of its event footprint here fires up our community comeback with customers and business momentum in Asheville, as sports fans, athletes and their families join us in 2025.”

Ticket information and the full schedule for the 2025 Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championship will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit the Southern Conference website at www.soconsports.com and follow the Southern Conference on social media.

About the Southern Conference
Founded in 1921, the Southern Conference (SoCon) is a NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference that includes 10 institutions competing in a wide range of sports. The SoCon is committed to enhancing the student-athlete experience and expanding its reach through championship events and partnerships across the region.

About Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority
Explore Asheville is the official destination marketing and management organization for one of the most deeply-rooted, creative communities in the southeast. Explore Asheville is powered by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, a public authority that has been investing in and building community since 1983. The authority has committed $96 million to more than 50 community capital projects including sports venues.