When Does Wrestling Season Start for Middle School and High School?

A Parent’s Guide to the Wrestling Calendar

If your child is new to wrestling, one of the first questions you may ask is, “When does the season actually start?” Like many sports, wrestling follows a structured season that varies slightly by age group, location, and whether your child is part of a school team or a local club. Understanding when wrestling starts will help you better prepare for practices, tournaments, travel, and the time commitment that comes with the sport.

Let’s break down the typical wrestling calendar for both middle school and high school athletes so you know what to expect.

High School Wrestling Season

In most states, high school wrestling is a winter sport, officially beginning in November. The season typically runs through February or early March, depending on when state championships are held.

The season kicks off with a few weeks of team practices, followed by dual meets and weekend tournaments. As the season progresses, wrestlers compete in regional or district tournaments, working toward the state tournament, which marks the official end of the season for most high school programs.

Some key dates to be aware of:

• First practice: Often starts around the second week of November.

• First competitions: Usually held late November or early December.

• State championships: Typically in late February or early March.

In highly competitive states, there may be preseason events or optional open mats held in September or October. While not required, they’re great for wrestlers to stay sharp and build endurance before official practices begin.

Middle School Wrestling Season

Middle school wrestling seasons can vary more from district to district, but they usually begin a few weeks later than high school, often in late November or early December. The middle school season is also shorter, typically lasting 8 to 10 weeks and ending in late January or early February.

Middle school wrestlers often have fewer tournaments and dual meets compared to high school, and the focus tends to be more on skill development and participation than on high-stakes competition. Many programs offer round-robin events where wrestlers get several matches regardless of win/loss record, which makes it more beginner-friendly.

Some clubs or youth programs also offer wrestling for elementary or middle school students year-round, but the official school seasons are generally shorter and less intense.

What About Offseason Wrestling?

While the official seasons take place during winter, wrestling is becoming more of a year-round sport, especially for kids who want to advance competitively. Many local wrestling clubs offer spring and summer sessions that focus on freestyle and Greco-Roman styles. These styles differ slightly from folkstyle (the form used in school wrestling), but they help build new skills and provide more competition opportunities.

The offseason is also when many wrestlers attend camps, clinics, or private lessons to sharpen their technique without the pressure of competition.

Wrestling Season

Understanding when wrestling season starts for middle school and high school gives

parents the chance to plan ahead and support their wrestler every step of the way. While the exact start and end dates can vary by school district or state, you can generally expect wrestling to run from November through February, with optional opportunities to continue training in the offseason.

If your child is just getting started, don’t worry about diving into year-round training right away. Start with the school season, let them learn the basics, and build from there. With time, they’ll grow in skill, strength, and confidence, and you’ll become more familiar with the rhythm of the sport.

Wrestling is more than a season. It’s a journey that builds character, discipline, and mental toughness, and now that you know when it begins, you and your athlete are one step closer to stepping confidently onto the mat.