The NCAA has awarded the Division III Wrestling Championships to the Quad Cities for the 2027-2028 season, tourism leaders announced Tuesday, July 22.
The championship, which will be hosted by Visit Quad Cities in partnership with Augustana College, will take place March 10-11, 2028, at the Vibrant Arena at The Mark in downtown Moline. Early projections show the championship is expected to generate nearly $1 million in direct economic impact for the Quad Cities region, according to Visit Quad Cities.
This marks the fourth time that Augustana has served as the host institution of the NCAA Division III Men’s Wrestling Championship. Augustana’s previous host years included 1985, 1991 and 1995 at the Roy J. Carver Physical Education Center on the Rock Island campus.
Bidding for 87 of 90 NCAA championships began in September 2023, and more than 1,200 bid applications were submitted.
Each sport committee, per division, selected the host sites it believed would provide the ultimate experience for the respective student-athletes, resulting in more than 240 total championship event sites being awarded.
During the 2025 national championship, more than 200 of the best wrestlers in the nation competed in 10 weight classes. More than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships each year.
Visit QC ‘thrilled’ to host
“On behalf of the Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors and professional team, we are thrilled about the opportunity to host the 2028 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships,” Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, said in a news release. “We are grateful for the confidence of the NCAA and look forward to hosting student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and wrestling fans from across the country. We also thank our partners at Augustana College and Vibrant Arena at The Mark for their strong collaboration – we are all aligned in delivering the very best Quad Cities experience.”
Echoing Mr. Herrell, Augustana Athletic Director Michael Zapolski said the college also is pleased to be partnering with Visit QC to co-host the tournament. “Our collective goal will be to provide a memorable experience for the participating student-athletes, coaches, and fans while showcasing the myriad of amenities in the Quad Cities,” he added.
The 2028 championships “is a major win for the Quad Cities and a proud moment for Sports QC as we continue building our legacy as a premier sports tourism destination,” Joan Kranovich, Visit QC vice president of Business Growth and Sports QC director, said in the release.
“This championship reflects our commitment to delivering impactful events that elevate our region’s visibility, drive economic impact, and inspire community pride,” she said.
Home of championships
It is just the latest collegiate tournament to bring its tournament event to the Quad Cities. Previous sporting events have included the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament, the NAIA Men’s Golf National Championships, the NAIA Cheer and Dance, and the NAIA Women’s Golf Championship last year.
In 2026, among sporting events headed to the QC include the Level 12 Iowa Invitational, QC DIII Women’s Wresting Invitational, the NAIA Men’s Golf Championship and the NCAA DI Women’s Golf Regional.
Sharing his excitement for the Quad Cities landing the 2028 event, Anthony Bonaventura, the committee chair of the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships, added “The committee believes this host site will provide an incredible experience for student-athletes and allow them to compete in an arena that creates a fantastic environment. In my 15 years in Division III, this is the first time this site has been selected, and I want to thank all the parties involved for stepping up to host this amazing event.”
For more information about Sports QC and upcoming championship events in the Quad Cities, visit sportsquadcities.com.
