BOK Center To Host Big XII Wrestling Championship Through 2028

The Big 12 Wrestling Championship will remain in Tulsa through the next four years. The event brings in a lot of fans to Tulsa each spring, which means big business for nearby hotspots.

New programs are joining the Big 12 wrestling this year, including Arizona State. Expansion means more teams coming to Tulsa, which equals more people staying in hotels and eating at restaurants.

The conference announced the BOK Center will continue hosting the wrestling championship through 2028.

“The Big 12 is one of those events that is consistent throughout the day,” said Baldo Rodriguez, general manager of Arena Pub and Grill. “From the time we open ‘til the time we close.”

Rodriguez says the championship has brought in big business during the restaurant’s four years of being across the street from the BOK Center. The best part is seeing people from places like Iowa, South Dakota and Colorado make the trip to Tulsa.

“It’s the camaraderie,” said Rodriguez. “It’s electric down here. It’s fun. It’s energetic.”

Tourism leaders share the same excitement. While they call the extension a win for Tulsa, they admit the competition to keep the event in town is getting bigger.

“The Big 12 has now extended coast to coast,” said Renee McKenney, president of Tulsa Regional Tourism. “You actually have cities like Las Vegas that are fighting for this business.”

Tulsa Regional Tourism says more than 115,000 people have attended the championship sessions since the first event in 2017. They say the event continues to have a lot of interest, which is good for the city.

Tickets are now available for the 2024 championship, which starts March 9.