BOK Center Preps To Host NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships

The BOK Center is hosting the NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championship for the first time and is expecting 15,000 people each day. Before the three-day tournament, the staff had a big job turning a hockey rink into a wrestling arena.

Thursday, March 16th 2023, 4:33 pm

By: Chinh Doan

TULSA, Okla. -

330 of the nation's best wrestlers are competing in the NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships at the BOK Center March 16 - 18.

The BOK Center is hosting the championships for the first time and told News On 6 it is expecting 15,000 people each day and 400 employees working daily. Before the three-day tournament, the staff had a big job turning a hockey rink into a wrestling arena.

"It's a really significant undertaking,” said general manager, Bryan Crowe. “So last Saturday, we had our last Oilers game in advance of the tournament, and overnight between Saturday and into Sunday, we had to melt the ice, remove the ice, remove all the paint and graphics from the ice."

Crowe said it was time to clean up the arena floor and do a conversion, removing the dashers and walls to get ready for wrestling, which started loading in on Sunday. As for where the equipment comes from, Crowe said it is a mix.

“For example, NCAA brings in the mats and some of their custom equipment and their branded assets, but then there's a lot of equipment, like chairs and tables and pipe and drape and signage that type of thing that all come here from us or from contractors that work within the area,” said Crowe.

Crowe said the arena is experienced from hosting the Big 12 wrestling tournament for the last seven years.

"As far as the use of the arena, it's similar in terms of we have eight mats for the opening, and then we cut it down to four, two, and we cut down to one for the championship rounds, but we're going to be expecting a lot more people here Thursday, Friday, Saturday with the national tournament," explained Crowe.

Crowe said he hopes the Green Country community will join the fun. There will be two free events Thursday through Saturday: A street festival on 3rd Street in front of the BOK Center and the NCAA Wrestling Fan Fest at Cox Business Convention Center.

After the tournament, staff will have a few days to clean up before more events, including a series of concerts.