Story Links
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference has officially announced that the highly anticipated Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championship will make its exciting return to Asheville for consecutive two-day events in both 2025 and 2026. Sponsored by Explore Asheville, this championship will not only reinforce a cherished partnership between the league and the Asheville community but also significantly expand the event’s reach, allowing locals and fans to experience the thrill of collegiate wrestling firsthand.
Set to take place at Kimmel Arena on the scenic campus of UNC Asheville from March 7-8, 2025, the Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championship will feature an extended two-day format, diverging from its previous single-day occurrence. The tournament dates will cleverly coincide with the Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships, running from March 6-10 at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, creating a vibrant backdrop of athletic competition.
This strategically overlapping schedule aims to foster an electrifying atmosphere filled with spirited competition and community camaraderie. By uniting SoCon fans and the entire Western North Carolina region for this action-packed week, both events will be elevated in stature and intensity, reinforcing the connection 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,” stated 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 suggest 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 perfectly with the league’s broader vision of enhancing the championship experience as well as expanding its overall footprint across the region. In conjunction with this vision, the league continues to amplify the message that “It’s All Here” in SoCon, emphasizing the richness of experience offered.
“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,” remarked Vic Isley, the 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 complete schedule for the highly anticipated 2025 Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championship will be revealed at a future date. For further information, interested parties can 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) proudly stands as an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference encompassing 10 esteemed institutions competing across a diverse array of sports. The SoCon is dedicated to enhancing the student-athlete experience and expanding its visibility through championship events and collaborative partnerships across the region.
About Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority
Explore Asheville serves as the official destination marketing and management organization devoted to one of the most deeply-rooted and creatively vibrant communities in the southeast. Powered by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, a public authority established in 1983, Explore Asheville has committed $96 million to more than 50 community capital projects, including crucial sports venues.
**Interview: SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross Discusses the Return of the Wrestling Championship to Asheville**
**Editor:** Welcome, Commissioner Michael Cross! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the exciting news about the Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championship returning to Asheville in 2025 and 2026. How does it feel to announce this two-year event?
**Michael Cross:** Thank you for having me! We’re incredibly excited to bring the championship back to Asheville for two consecutive years. This partnership with the community is invaluable, and we believe Asheville is the perfect location to host such a thrilling event, especially during a time when collegiate wrestling is seeing a resurgence nationwide.
**Editor:** You mentioned that the championship will now take place over two days instead of one. What prompted this change, and what can fans expect from the extended format?
**Michael Cross:** The decision to expand to a two-day format was driven by our desire to enhance the championship experience for athletes, coaches, and fans alike. By offering more matches and a longer event, we create an opportunity for greater engagement. Fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere filled with spirited competition, especially as it coincides with the Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships, adding to the overall excitement of the week.
**Editor:** That’s a great idea! Collaborating with the basketball championships seems strategic. Can you elaborate on how this overlap will benefit both events?
**Michael Cross:** Absolutely. By scheduling the wrestling championship alongside the basketball championships, we’re fostering a unified atmosphere for SoCon fans and the Western North Carolina region. This synergy not only enhances the experience for everyone involved but also reinforces the SoCon brand by bringing our community together in a celebration of athletics. We hope that attendees will enjoy both events, creating a vibrant and dynamic sports fest.
**Editor:** Speaking of community, how do you see this championship benefiting the Asheville area, particularly in the context of supporting local businesses?
**Michael Cross:** That’s a key aspect of our vision. The visibility and opportunities surrounding the championship will help bolster local tourism, especially in the wake of challenges like hurricane recovery that some businesses have faced. By attracting fans and participants to Buncombe County, we’re not only enhancing their experience but also providing much-needed support to our local economy.
**Editor:** As the SoCon continues to grow, how does this event align with your broader vision for the conference?
**Michael Cross:** This is all about enhancing the championship experience and expanding our reach in the region. By emphasizing our message that “It’s All Here” in SoCon, we’re highlighting the rich experiences our events offer, not just in athletics but also in community engagement and local culture. The return of the wrestling championship to Asheville is a significant step in this journey.
**Editor:** Thank you, Commissioner Cross, for sharing your insights! We’re looking forward to an exciting couple of years for the Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championship.
**Michael Cross:** Thank you! We can’t wait to see everyone in Asheville for this amazing championship event!
