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By Curtis Galbraith
Wrestling Championships

Hundreds of competitors in Grande Prairie for 2026 Canadian Wrestling Championships

Apr 24, 2026 | 6:00 AM

Close to 900 people, athletes, coaches and officials, are in Grande Prairie this weekend for the 2026 Canadian Wrestling Championships.

That group includes 154 Alberta competitors, eight of which are from the Grande Prairie Wrestling Club.

Every province and territory except Nunavut has sent a team to the event.

They will compete in U15, U17, and U19 age groups for men and women. The men will compete in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.

The competition starts at 9 a.m. all three days, with a march-in for the finalists set for 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Design Works Centre.

“We are proud to welcome the National Youth Wrestling Championships with support from the Government of Alberta’s Major Sport Event Grant program. This event highlights the strength and growing capacity of Alberta’s northern sport communities to host national-level competitions and provides young athletes with the opportunity to compete on a national stage and create lasting memories both on and off the mat,” says Grande Prairie Sport Hosting Society vice chair Chenoa Esau in a news release from the province.

“The City of Grande Prairie is excited to welcome athletes, coaches and supporters from across the country for a weekend of competition and sports excellence. We pride ourselves on being a strong host city, and look forward to sharing our hospitality and community spirit with all who are joining. Best wishes to all competing for a safe and memorable event,” says Mayor Jackie Clayton in an email from the city.

The Alberta government says it has provided $58,800 in funding from the Majors Sports Events grant program for this event; one it expects to lead to an economic impact of $1.2 million.

by Curtis Galbraith