The world of women’s wrestling is heating up, with competitions already underway across multiple continents. United World Wrestling (UWW) is providing comprehensive coverage of these events, encouraging fans to subscribe to UWW+ for exclusive access to matches, updates, and behind-the-scenes content. The 2026 season is shaping up to be a pivotal year, building momentum towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Following a 2025 World Championships in Zagreb that saw a record 18 first-time world champions crowned, the 2026 season aims to determine whether these newcomers can sustain their success or if established veterans will reclaim their dominance. The UWW Pro Series, nearing its final form before launch, will reward wrestlers based on their rankings, with a grand prize at stake. This initiative is designed to elevate the sport and provide fans with more engaging content throughout the year.
March is a particularly busy month for UWW, with several key tournaments scheduled. The Croatia Open International Tournament, featuring Greco-Roman and Women’s Wrestling, took place on March 7th in Zagreb. Currently, the U23 European Championships are being held in Zrenjanin, Serbia, running from March 9th to March 15th, encompassing Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women’s Wrestling. A full schedule of UWW events can be found on the organization’s website.
Beyond Europe, wrestling action is similarly unfolding globally. Samoa is hosting the U17, U20, and Senior Oceania Championships from March 20th to March 22nd, covering Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Women’s Wrestling, and Beach Wrestling. Bulgaria will host two events in March: the Dan Kolov – Nikola Petrov International Tournament in Plovdiv from March 26th to 28th, and the Oceania Open in Apia, Samoa, from March 27th to 29th. These tournaments will feature Senior, U20, and U17 competitors in Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Women’s Wrestling, and Beach Wrestling.
The UWW is also looking ahead to April, with the U17 Pan-American Championships scheduled for Panama City, Panama, from April 2nd to 4th, followed by the U17 Pan-American Beach Wrestling Championships on April 5th. Senior Asian Championships will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from April 6th to 12th. Further events are planned in Denmark and Guinea-Bissau, showcasing the global reach of the sport. UWW’s season preview highlights the intensifying rivalries in Women’s Wrestling, where Japan faces challenges from DPR Korea, and in Freestyle, where the United States and Iran continue their longstanding competition.
In Greco-Roman wrestling, Iran remains the dominant force, but Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are closing the gap. The potential for exciting matchups, such as a clash between Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Hassan Yazdani, looms large in the Freestyle category. Fans can follow all the action and stay updated on the latest news through UWW+ on uww.org, as well as on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube.
As wrestling progresses towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the 2026 season is poised to establish lasting storylines and solidify the positions of both rising stars and established champions. The UWW Pro Series will play a crucial role in this process, adding another layer of competition and excitement to the sport.
Stay tuned for continued coverage of these events and more as the 2026 wrestling season unfolds. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
