NC United · By invitation only
Sept 18 & 19, 2026
One weigh-in Friday night · First round after · Brackets finish Saturday
Hope Community Church, Apex
The Best in the State. One Mat. One Question.
More sections — schedule, venue, sponsorship, media, and FAQ — in the sticky menu as you scroll.
AI rendering of the existing facility for illustration; actual setup and presentation may vary.
College programs confirmed on site
Coaches and staff from these programs will be in the building Saturday — compete where they're watching.
Invite only
A hand-picked field at every weight
One weigh-in
4:00–5:00 PM Friday, September 18 · no Saturday weigh-in
College weights
Friday weigh-in · flat/no allowance
The venue
Hope Community Church · Apex Campus — Seating for up to 1,000. Pro lighting, video boards, and a dedicated atrium lounge for credentialed coaches and officials.
Two competition mats
Two mats all weekend. One mat for all eleven championship finals.
Up to 1,000 fans
Comfortable stadium seating with back rests, bleachers, and floor sightlines — families on top of every match.
Pro lighting & production
State-of-the-art lighting, video boards, and arena production — built for the moment, not just brackets.
Finals presentation
Championship finals get full production — intros, awards, and the jacket moment on one mat.
Dedicated lounge
One atrium room at Hope Apex is reserved for credentialed college coaches, credentialed club coaches, and tournament officials — credentials required, not open to general spectators.
Coaches & Officials Lounge
Check in at credentials for your lanyard. Comfortable seating and work tables, charging and Wi-Fi, live feeds from both mats with bracket updates, hospitality on Saturday, recruiting guides for college coaches (sent in advance and available as hard copy in the lounge on event day), a print station for profiles and notes, and space for officials to store gear and regroup between sessions.
College coaches only
This complimentary registration is exclusively for current college wrestling coaches and their staff. Registered college staff receive tournament admission and access to the credentialed VIP coaches lounge.
Club coaches should not use this form. Their paid admission and credential details will be announced separately.
Complimentary event admission
VIP lounge, hospitality, Wi-Fi and live mat feeds
Fast credential check-in for registered college staff
Hope Community Church
Hope Community Church, Apex, NC
September 18–19, 2026 · weigh-in & first round Friday night
Open in Google MapsWhat happens next
Every date that matters between now and the first whistle.
Fri · Jul 24
Tournament announced
The inaugural NC United Tournament of Champions goes public.
Sun · Aug 16
Field reveals begin
The field, revealed weight class by weight class.
Week of Aug 24
Athlete-family ticket presale
Families of competing athletes get first access by email.
Fri · Aug 28
Full field revealed · tickets on sale
Final fields announced — public tickets open. Limited seating.
Fri · Sep 11Up next
Brackets released
Seeds and full brackets for all eleven weights.
Sep 18–19
Tournament of Champions
One weigh-in Friday night. Champions crowned Saturday.
One weigh-in — Friday night only
4:00–5:00 PM Friday, September 18
Friday weigh-in is flat — wrestlers must make their tournament weight with no allowance. There is no second weigh-in on Saturday. Singlet required; skin check at the scale; USA Wrestling card required.
North Carolina has always debated it. The Tournament of Champions settles it — a hand-picked field at every weight, NCAA collegiate classes plus 117 lbs. Every wrestler in the bracket was invited. Nobody is filling a slot.
Other tournaments you enter. This one you're invited to. College coaches in the building, true double-elimination with top-three placement, and a championship jacket reserved for each bracket winner.
One weigh-in — Friday night only
4:00–5:00 PM Friday, September 18 · Flat scale · No Saturday weigh-in
Boys division in Year 1 · girls divisions planned for Year 2
In their words
Four of NC's top recruits on why this event matters.
“People always debate who the best wrestler in the state is. Tournament of Champions gives us a chance to settle it on the mat. The best guys, one bracket, no excuses. That's what competition is supposed to be.”
“What excites me most is the chance to wrestle the actual best NC has at my weight — and finally get clarity on who the best in the state really is. New Jersey and California have that. North Carolina deserves it too. When you're going against seven other elite guys with everything on the line, every match matters.”
“The atmosphere is going to be incredible. The introductions, the championship finals, the crowd, the energy—it's the kind of stage every wrestler wants to compete on. North Carolina wrestling deserves an event like this.”
“The champion jacket is what stands out to me. Anybody can buy gear, but you can't buy that jacket. You have to earn it by beating the best wrestlers in the state. That's what makes it special.”
Competition surface
The competition surface is part of the event experience: two new 42×42 navy blue mats with a prominent white NC United logo at center, ordered for the Tournament of Champions stage.
Two 42×42 Resilite Flex 3 mats have been purpose-built and ordered specifically for the NC United Tournament of Champions.
Navy Blue mat surface with a prominent white NC United logo at center.
Flex 3 delivers lightweight, portable performance with custom UltraPrint graphics and a durable top-coat.
Manufactured in North America using reinforced vinyl scrim heat-laminated to the foam core.
Smooth, scuff-resistant, easy-to-clean surface built for competition and practice.
Mats by Resilite
Earned, not bought
One wrestler per weight earns the NC United Tournament of Champions jacket — navy with NORTH CAROLINA across the chest and CHAMPION across the back. Top three place on the podium; only the bracket winner wears the jacket.
Not merchandise — a keepsake you cannot buy. Red, white, and navy sleeve stripes with 2026 and CHAMPION on the back for the year you proved it.
Front
Back
One champion · Each weight · 2026
Trophies & awards
1st · 2nd · 3rd place
Designed with a timeless Olympic-inspired look, the Tournament of Champions medal is a premium 4-inch, heavyweight award built to honor North Carolina’s best. Available in gold, silver, and bronze with a custom navy-and-white ribbon, it is designed to be a lasting symbol of achievement.
Bracket champion
Every bracket champion receives a 24×36 hard-copy Tournament of Champions bracket — a permanent record of the path they earned.
Special award
The MOW is awarded to the athlete who delivers the tournament’s most exceptional overall performance.
Only one MOW Hammer is awarded each year.
The MOW Hammer is selected by the Tournament of Champions Selection Committee, comprised of tournament officials and NC United representatives following the championship finals.
The Hammer Is Earned.
Iron sharpens iron
The Match of Champions recognizes the two wrestlers who compete in the tournament’s most exceptional match over the two-day event.
Selected after the championship finals by the Tournament of Champions Selection Committee. The Match of Champions may occur during any round of the tournament.
Event teeFront & back · swipe or use the arrows
Official event apparel
Navy, gold, and white — built to match the stage. The official tee and crewneck of the first-ever NC United Tournament of Champions.
Presented at Tournament of Champions
“The future is bright for those who refuse to quit.”
Caden Perry embodied what wrestling is supposed to build: courage, resilience, discipline, heart, and an unwavering refusal to quit.
The inaugural award provides $1,000 in wrestling support for one North Carolina wrestler whose response to genuine adversity reflects that same warrior spirit.
NC United has committed the first $1,000 to launch the fund. Community donations build on that commitment and help expand the award’s impact.
This is not an award for rankings, records, championships, recruiting status, or academic achievement — and the recipient does not have to compete in the Tournament of Champions.
What the award supports
Funds may be paid directly or reimbursed with receipts toward documented wrestling-related expenses, including:
The recipient does not have to compete in Tournament of Champions. Caden's legacy is bigger than one bracket.
This recognizes a wrestler's response when life gets hard — courage, character, and the refusal to quit.
Funds are for documented wrestling-related expenses, paid directly or reimbursed with receipts.
Any active North Carolina wrestler in grades 6–12 may be nominated by a coach, parent, teacher, teammate, counselor, or community member. Athletes may not nominate themselves.
Nominations open August 1 and close August 30. The recipient will be honored September 19 at the Tournament of Champions in Apex.
Help resource the stage
Families and supporters can help NC United resource the Tournament of Champions experience — mats, officials, awards, production, hospitality, and the details that make this more than another weekend tournament.
Scan the QR code at the event or share the link with family and supporters.
Every gift helps raise the standard for athlete experience, awards, operations, and production.
This is separate from ticket sales and separate from The Caden Perry Warrior Scholarship fund.
Gifts are charitable contributions to NC United Wrestling’s governed Training Fund. NC United applies support toward wrestling development, event resources, and exempt-purpose program needs.
Scan to support
Tournament resources through NC United
Share opens the phone share sheet for text, email, AirDrop, and more.
Tournament of Champions
Tournament of Champions sponsors do not pay sponsorship fees to NC United. Instead, partners put their commitments directly back into the wrestling community through gear, products, training, services and experiences.
Free raffle tickets for every paid spectator
One hour before the Finals, every paid spectator will receive free raffle tickets at the door and can place them into designated partner boxes for the items or experiences they most want to win.
No purchase, auction or bidding
There is no additional purchase required. The Giving Hour is partner support delivered directly back to the wrestling community.
Supporting partners
All free. All going back to the wrestling community.
The NC Mat reveals the field one weight class at a time as each is finalized. Championship weekend opens with one official weigh-in Friday afternoon, an opening ceremony at 5:30 PM, and first-round bouts on two mats that evening. Saturday runs the brackets through to single-mat finals.
Weight-class fields are announced as each one is finalized
Rolling
Each weight class announced by The NC Mat once its field is set
| Rolling | Each weight class announced by The NC Mat once its field is set |
One weigh-in — Friday night only
4:00–5:00 PM Friday, September 18
Friday weigh-in is flat — wrestlers must make their tournament weight with no allowance. There is no second weigh-in on Saturday. Singlet required; skin check at the scale; USA Wrestling card required.
Weigh-in 4:00–5:00 PM · opening ceremony 5:30 PM · first round on two mats
3:00 PM
Doors open to coaches and athletes
4:00–5:00 PM
One official weigh-in & skin check (invited wrestlers only — no Saturday weigh-in)
4:00 PM
Warm-up mat opens — stays open all session
5:00 PM
Ticket sales open · doors open to spectators
5:30 PM
Opening ceremony — athlete walkout, welcome and prayer, national anthem
6:00 PM
First whistle — 133 lbs pigtail, then round one on two mats
~9:00 PM
Session ends
| 3:00 PM | Doors open to coaches and athletes |
| 4:00–5:00 PM | One official weigh-in & skin check (invited wrestlers only — no Saturday weigh-in) |
| 4:00 PM | Warm-up mat opens — stays open all session |
| 5:00 PM | Ticket sales open · doors open to spectators |
| 5:30 PM | Opening ceremony — athlete walkout, welcome and prayer, national anthem |
| 6:00 PM | First whistle — 133 lbs pigtail, then round one on two mats |
| ~9:00 PM | Session ends |
Brackets resume at 9:30 AM · Giving Hour · championship finals on one mat
7:30 AM
Warm-up mat opens — stays open all day
8:30 AM
Doors open to spectators
9:15 AM
Welcome and prayer
9:30 AM
Consolation round one — two mats
10:45 AM
Winners semifinals — two mats
12:00 PM
Consolation semifinals — two mats
1:15 PM
Third-place bouts — two mats
2:15–3:15 PM
The Giving Hour — vendor raffle, scholarship and guest speaker
3:15 PM
Parade of finalists, introductions and national anthem
3:45 PM
Championship finals — one mat, all eleven weights, awards after each
6:15 PM
Most Outstanding Wrestler & Match of Champions awards
6:30 PM
Event concludes
| 7:30 AM | Warm-up mat opens — stays open all day |
| 8:30 AM | Doors open to spectators |
| 9:15 AM | Welcome and prayer |
| 9:30 AM | Consolation round one — two mats |
| 10:45 AM | Winners semifinals — two mats |
| 12:00 PM | Consolation semifinals — two mats |
| 1:15 PM | Third-place bouts — two mats |
| 2:15–3:15 PM | The Giving Hour — vendor raffle, scholarship and guest speaker |
| 3:15 PM | Parade of finalists, introductions and national anthem |
| 3:45 PM | Championship finals — one mat, all eleven weights, awards after each |
| 6:15 PM | Most Outstanding Wrestler & Match of Champions awards |
| 6:30 PM | Event concludes |
Plan your stay
Several nearby hotels are offering special Tournament of Champions rates for athletes and families. All properties below are approximately two miles from the venue. Book directly with the hotel using the links below.
Venue: Hope Community Church — 2080 East Williams Street, Apex, NC 27539
Official TOC room block
$179/night · 2.3 mi from the venue
Book by August 18, 2026
2.3 mi from Hope Church
Official TOC room block for Sept. 18–19. Reserve by Aug. 18, 2026; rooms are subject to availability.
Book room1.9 mi from Hope Church
Current public saver rate quoted: $139.68 ($158.18 total). The hotel is checking military, AAA, and potential group options; this is not yet a TOC rate.
Coming soon2.0 mi from Hope Church
Double-room options. Block confirmed.
Coming soon| Hotel | Distance | TOC rate | Block / deadline | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpringHill Suites by Marriott Raleigh Apex | 2.3 mi | $179/night | Reserved room block · Book by Aug. 18 | Book room | Official TOC room block for Sept. 18–19. Reserve by Aug. 18, 2026; rooms are subject to availability. |
| Holiday Inn Express Apex – Raleigh | 1.9 mi | Pending | Pending hotel callback | Coming soon | Current public saver rate quoted: $139.68 ($158.18 total). The hotel is checking military, AAA, and potential group options; this is not yet a TOC rate. |
| Candlewood Suites Apex Raleigh Area | 2.0 mi | $146–$157 | Confirmed block · Aug. 21 cutoff | Coming soon | Double-room options. Block confirmed. |
Rates and availability are subject to hotel inventory. Families are responsible for booking directly with the hotel.
For families and fans
The Tournament of Champions is built for families — comfortable seating, free parking, and a kid-friendly atmosphere in a modern Apex venue.
Free on-site parking
Comfortable stadium seating with back rests — plus bleacher and floor options
Air-conditioned facility, easy accessibility
Family-friendly atmosphere — no alcohol, kid-appropriate
College coaches recruiting in the building — credentialed lounge with live mat feeds (D1 / D2 / D3 / NAIA programs)
Open Saturday · wrestlers & fans
We put health first for wrestlers and fans. Concessions are built around good nutrition, real food, and choices that accelerate recovery — while giving families the energy to support our athletes all weekend.
Fresh, flavorful, and built for performance, Atlas Nomads brings authentic Mediterranean cuisine to the Tournament of Champions. Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Morocco's Atlas Mountains, their menu features fresh ingredients, halal meats, and handcrafted favorites including gyro wraps, chicken wraps, rice bowls, falafel, hummus, tzatziki, and more. Whether you're looking for a protein-packed meal between matches or a healthy, satisfying lunch, Atlas Nomads offers fast, high-quality food that athletes, coaches, and families will love.
Venue-wide policy: no soda, chips, candy, or junk food sold or available anywhere in the building.
Saturday ticket
Full tournament — all brackets on two mats through placement, plus single-mat championship finals
Secure ticketing powered by GoFan
Spectator tickets will be sold securely through NC United's GoFan ticketing page. GoFan will handle checkout, confirmation, and mobile ticket access.
Sales open via GoFan in a new tab — keep your mobile ticket available for entry on event day.
Elite officials
Chief of officials · NC United Tournament of Champions
The Tournament of Champions is judged by an elite crew hand-picked for this event. Jonathan Sutton and NWOA Officials lead the table with experienced officials who understand college weights, high-stakes brackets, and the pace this card demands.
Elite Officiating Crew Confirmed
Jonathan Sutton
NCAA Division I / Big 12 official with extensive national championship experience.
Titus Godbolt
NCAA Division I / Big 12 official who has worked numerous premier collegiate events.
Paul Crouse
Veteran collegiate official with experience across major NCAA conferences and championship tournaments.
J.R. Powell
Respected NCAA official with years of collegiate and postseason assignments.
Chief of officials: Jonathan Sutton
Event officiating supported by NWOA Officials
Experienced crew across both competition mats all day
Consistent standards from first bout through championship finals
Jonathan Sutton
Chief of officials
Sutton leads an elite crew built for high-stakes brackets — fair calls and professional standards from weigh-in through the last championship bout.
Volunteer
The Tournament of Champions takes a crew — lounge hospitality, registration, concessions, and mat-side support. If you love NC wrestling and want to be part of the biggest all-state stage of the year, sign up below.
Friday load-in through Saturday finals — shifts for every schedule
Coaches & Officials Lounge check-in and hospitality
Family-friendly venue — no experience required for many roles
NC United staff will match you to a role and send shift details
Tell us how you'd like to help. We'll follow up with roles and shift options — signing up does not guarantee a specific assignment.
The event will be live streamed. Details coming soon.
Sign up below and we'll send the watch link when broadcast details are announced.
Get stream updates
Official media partner
Rhett Hoy and Ryan Mitchell will help lead athlete and bracket announcements, seeding collaboration, event coverage, and live commentary throughout championship weekend.
Read the partnership announcementMedia
Covering the Tournament of Champions? Submit a media request for credentials, access guidelines, and interview coordination. All requests are reviewed by NC United staff — approval is required before event-day access.
Press credentials for Saturday competition at Hope Apex
Interview requests with athletes, coaches, and NC United staff
Photo and video guidelines provided on approval
Single-mat championship finals — broadcast-quality production environment
Typical response within 2–3 business days. For urgent requests, email info@ncwrestlingunited.com.
Tell us your outlet and what you need. We'll follow up with credentials details and coverage guidelines.
Email media team directlyInvite list news, streaming link, and tickets — one list for everything before championship weekend.
Top NC prospects — tell us your name, school, club, and the weight you'd compete at. We use this to plan invitations and may reach out. Submitting does not guarantee an invitation.
Official Tournament Partners
Proud partners helping build North Carolina's premier championship stage.
Founding Partners
Brands helping build the foundation of NC's premier wrestling stage in its inaugural year.
Premier Sponsor
Cronin Customs
Custom wrestling shoes will be awarded during the Tournament of Champions Giveaway Hour.
Premier Partner
Win up to $1,000 in training with current and former NCAA athletes.
Invictus Wrestling Co.
Limited-edition gear and featured wrestling apparel are coming to championship weekend in Apex.
Inaugural year — limited founding partner slots remaining.
Request sponsorship infoSponsorship
The Tournament of Champions is invite-only, college-weight, and built for the big stage — not another bracket grind. Two mats all weekend. One mat for all eleven championship finals. When the state's elite wrestlers converge in Apex, your brand sits on the biggest all-NC tournament of the year by far.
Up to 1,000 fans in the building — families, clubs, and programs from every corner of the state
Live stream and video boards — exposure beyond the arena all weekend long
Coaches & Officials Lounge — Champion-tier naming rights and face time with credentialed coaches all weekend
Single-mat championship finals — presentation, jacket moments, and peak attention
Patriotic NC United brand — red, white, and navy athletics with statewide reach through RecruitNC
Sponsorship tiers
Title
Naming rights, top billing, mat-side branding, video board prime, sponsor announcement Saturday night, hospitality
Champion
Co-branding event materials, video board placement, mat branding, Coaches & Officials Lounge naming rights, social inclusion, hospitality
Partner
Logo on event materials, on-site signage, social media
Community
Website logo, program recognition
Submit the inquiry form for pricing and the full sponsorship deck.
Questions before you submit? info@ncwrestlingunited.com
Tell us about your company and we'll follow up with tier benefits and customization options.
By invitation only. You don't enter — you get the call. Athletes are nominated, reviewed by NC United staff, and invited if selected for one of 88 spots (eight per weight class).
NC United is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit building North Carolina's premier wrestling ecosystem — from the RecruitNC recruiting platform to youth development, college coaching access, and signature events. Co-founded by Matt Hickey, Michael Macchiavello, and Colton Palmer.
Learn more at ncwrestlingunited.com