Tulsa's BOK Center Hosts Big 12 Wrestling Championship For 8th Straight Year

The BOK Center is ready to welcome wrestling fans from across the country to Tulsa this weekend. 

It is hosting the Big 12 Wrestling Championship for the 8th consecutive year.

WATCH LIVE: News On 6 10 p.m. Newscast 3/10/2024

The Tulsa Sports Commission helped bring the tournament to the city. Joel Koester, Director of Sports Sales said, 

"What we bring to the table is we are one of the youth wrestling capitals of the United States and we have proven time after time that we have got the wrestling community here to really support this event," said Director of Sports Sales Joel Koester.

He said fans have gotten used to having championship wrestling in Tulsa, but it is no easy task being picked to host.

"I know it has almost become a staple here in town, I know a lot of the local folks expect it," Koester continued saying, "We did just rebid on it and won the bid to extend our contract for four years. These things just do not happen.

Having it in Oklahoma has paid off for wrestlers who have grown up in the state, like Tuttle native Dustin Plott.

"You know you see these guys out here in big arenas, big crowds and competing well and it is always you know wanting to be in that spotlight, be in that moment," he added, "Was not ever sure if I would really make it so now that I am getting to do it is pretty awesome."

Plott is chasing his third individual conference title and is one of the best wrestlers in the country at 184 pounds. "This is going to be the best I have wrestled all year," he said. " I am looking to compete at my best this weekend."

A win in Plott's weight class also puts his team in a good spot to win the tournament.

"I am really trying to help my team be in a position to take home the Big 12 title. We have not been able to do that the past two years and bringing that back to Stillwater would be big," he added.

In the arena, there are plenty of opportunities for fans to interact with the wrestlers. "All of these guys are humble, and they love growing the sport," Koester said. "As they win or even when they lose, they go up and sign autographs for these kids and it is just really fun to see."

A fan favorite is back again this year in the lobby of the BOK Center. It is the big bracket board where fans can follow along with the action as athletes progress through the championship. There is also a new VIP area that puts fans matside and just outside the BOK Center along Third Street is the Fan Fest.

Koester said, "We are going to continue to expand that fan experience not only as the conference continues to expand but as we host this championship here in Tulsa."

The Tulsa Sports Commission has already secured the Big 12 Wrestling Championship in Tulsa through 2028.

This weekend's tournament starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 9th, and continues Sunday, March 10th. For more information or to get tickets visit BOKCenter.com