Tulsa to host Big 12 Championships through 2024

IRVING, Texas - The Big 12 Conference and the Tulsa Sports Commission announced a partnership to host the Big 12 Wrestling Championship at Tulsa’s BOK Center through 2024.

Tulsa has previously hosted the tournament in 2017 and 2018, and the Tulsa Sports Commission announced earlier this year an extension of that partnership through 2020.

“Based on the experience through the first two years of our partnership with the Tulsa Sports Commission for this to be the preeminent collegiate wrestling championship, continuing our presence in this market speaks to the dedication of all involved,” commented Big 12 associate commissioner Bob Burda. “Being able to build upon the foundation already established for the next six years clearly puts a stake in the ground for the Big 12 to grow this championship in Tulsa into the foreseeable future.”

The 2018 Championship set an all-time tournament record with more than 18,000 tickets sold.

The 2019 Championship will be held March 9 and 10, while the 2020 Championship will be March 7 and 8.

“We have great pride in the lasting relationship we’ve forged with the Big 12 Conference over the last five years,” said Vince Trinidad, executive director of the Tulsa Sports Commission.

“The Big 12 Wrestling Championship adds a high level collegiate competition to Tulsa’s amateur wrestling résumé, and the execution of a well-run event makes this an amazing experience for the universities, student-athletes, coaches and fans.”

The Big 12 Wrestling Championship is the largest neutral-site wrestling conference championship in the NCAA. Cultivating this relationship with the conference has been a strategic priority of the Tulsa Sports Commission for the past five years.

“The Tulsa Sports Commission has worked diligently to meet our strategic goals to recruit, retain, enhance and develop tourism opportunities throughout the Tulsa region,” said David Jeter, chair of the Tulsa Regional Tourism executive board and senior vice president and regional manager of business banking for BOK Financial. “Hosting the Big 12 Wrestling Championship through 2024 proves our strategy is working, and we appreciate the opportunity to be the chosen destination for collegiate wrestling.”

Housed at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, Tulsa Regional Tourism is an umbrella organization that administers VisitTulsa, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau; the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture, an accredited film commission; and the Tulsa Sports Commission, which markets Tulsa as a destination for amateur sporting events.

“Tulsa’s competitive identity as a premier visitor destination for top-tier events is enhanced by the strategic relationships we’ve maintained with our venue and hotel partners, higher education institutions, the City of Tulsa, and the region’s business community,” said Ray Hoyt, president of Tulsa Regional Tourism. “We appreciate our local stakeholders for making significant investments in Tulsa’s tourism industry, and the Big 12 Conference for believing in Tulsa and recognizing the benefits of these great partnerships.”