Milwaukee to Host USA Wrestling Junior National Dual Meet Championships

USA Wrestling’s Junior National Dual Meet Championships will be heading to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the next four years through 2028.

Known as the Junior National Duals, the event features boys teams from USA Wrestling state associations competing in dual meet competition in freestyle and Greco-Roman. The event is supported by Sports Milwaukee.

“We are thrilled to welcome USA Wrestling to Milwaukee, where we know there is a huge fan base and an eager hospitality community waiting to greet them with open arms,” said Marissa Werner, director of Sports Milwaukee. “We know USA Wrestling’s guests will love the newly expanded Baird Center, our top-tier attractions, dining and amenities, plus an incredibly accessible city center, all of which will make for the perfect Junior National Dual Meet Championships.”

The event is scheduled to be held at the newly renovated and expanded Baird Center. The local organizing committee is the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation, USA Wrestling’s state association in Wisconsin. Milwaukee becomes the ninth city to host the Junior National Duals, which took place in five cities in Oklahoma (Lawton, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Enid, Tulsa) and three cities in Illinois (Wheaton, Park Forest, Edwardsville).

“USA Wrestling is excited to bring one of its most popular and historic age-group national events, the Junior National Duals, to Milwaukee for the next four years,” said Pete Isais, USA Wrestling national events director. “We are looking forward to working with the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation as we continue to grow and build this property. The Baird Center will be a great venue for the event and we are pleased to bring our top high-school boys wrestlers from across the nation and their families to Milwaukee.”

The Baird Center, which was built in 1998, underwent a $456 million expansion in 2024, doubling its size to 1.3 million total square feet, including increased meeting rooms and exposition space and amenities.

“It is an honor for the WWF to host one of USA Wrestling’s crown jewel events,” said Todd Schaaf, WWF state chairperson. “This is an incredible opportunity for athletes to compete on the national stage in the Cheesehead State and for our members to witness wrestling at the highest high school level right in their own backyard.”