CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Sept. 8, 2026) – Chattanooga's reputation as a place where champions compete continues to grow as The Sports & Events Corporation (TSEC) announces it will host the TSSAA State Wrestling Individual Championships on February 19-20, 2027, at McKenzie Arena, in partnership with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC).
Approximately 600 student-athletes and 6,000 spectators are expected to attend the two-day championship event, estimated to generate over $800,000 in direct economic impact. The addition of wrestling expands TSEC's growing portfolio of championship events while creating significant economic and community impact for the Chattanooga area.
While the TSSAA State Wrestling Championships were most recently held in Chattanooga at the Chattanooga Convention Center in 2021, the return to McKenzie Arena brings Tennessee's top wrestlers back to one of the state's premier championship venues for the first time in 17 years.
The wrestling championships join a growing lineup of state and national championship events hosted in Chattanooga. Earlier this year, the city welcomed the TSSAA Middle School Softball Championships, TSSAA Middle School Baseball Championships, TSSAA High School Tennis Championships, NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Tennis Championships and the NCAA Division II Softball Championship. Chattanooga will also host the TSSAA Girls' Soccer State Championships, Oct. 27-30, and the BlueCross Bowl TSSAA Football State Championships, Dec. 3-5, further solidifying Chattanooga’s position as a destination for elite student-athletes.
"Every championship we bring to Chattanooga is an opportunity to maximize the power of sports in our community," said Tim Morgan, President of the Chattanooga Sports & Events Corporation. "We focus on attracting events that matter to our community, and wrestling is one of those sports, which makes the return of the TSSAA State Wrestling Championships especially exciting. We're proud to partner with TSSAA, UTC and all of our local passionate wrestling experts to deliver a first-class championship experience and bring the best of Tennessee high school athletics to our city."
"We're thrilled to see the TSSAA State Wrestling Championships return to McKenzie Arena," said Steve Henry, TSEC Board Member, TACA Board Member and TACA Wrestling Committee Member. "This event has a strong tradition in Chattanooga, and our community has always embraced it. McKenzie Arena provides a first-class championship stage, and there's no better place for Tennessee's best wrestlers to compete for a state title."
The announcement reflects TSEC's ongoing mission to harness the power of sport into an extraordinary force for connection, growth, and regional pride. By successfully attracting and hosting championship-caliber competitions, Chattanooga continues to benefit from increased tourism, enhanced visibility and opportunities to showcase the region on a statewide and national stage.
As Tennessee's top high school athletes compete for state titles throughout the year, Chattanooga will once again serve as the backdrop for championship moments, proving why it remains a city built for excellence and a place where champions compete.
Learn more about the 2027 TSSAA Wrestling Championships at
sportsandeventscorp.com.
