Big Ten Releases 2026-27 Wrestling Opponent Rotation

Northwestern wrestling announced its 2026-27 Big Ten opponent rotation on Thursday, June 18, 2026. According to the program, head coach Matt Storniolo will lead the squad through an eight-match conference schedule featuring four home contests at Welsh-Ryan Arena and four road matchups.

Which teams will Northwestern host at Welsh-Ryan Arena?

Ohio State, the 2026 Big Ten Runner-Up, headlines the home schedule for the Wildcats. Northwestern will also welcome Purdue, Indiana, and Michigan State for conference action in Evanston.

Did You Know? The Iowa Hawkeyes, one of Northwestern’s upcoming road opponents, recently secured a top-four finish at the 2026 NCAA Championships.

Where will the Wildcats travel for Big Ten competition?

The road slate includes a trip downstate to Champaign to face rival Illinois. Northwestern is also scheduled to visit Maryland and Rutgers.

The team will travel to Iowa City to compete against the Hawkeyes. This matchup follows Iowa’s top-four placement in the 2026 NCAA Championships.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that facing a former Big Ten Runner-Up like Ohio State at home and a top-four NCAA finisher like Iowa on the road creates a high-stakes environment that could test the depth of the Wildcats’ roster.

Who is returning to the Northwestern roster for 2026-27?

Previous NCAA qualifiers Billy Dekraker and Sam Cartella are returning to the squad. They will be joined by a robust class of first-year wrestlers, according to the program.

Northwestern coach Matt Storniolo prior to the NCAA Championships

What happens next for the schedule?

The program has not yet released non-conference match-ups. Dates and times for all scheduled matches may be announced at a later date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the head coach of Northwestern wrestling?
Matt Storniolo is the head coach.

How many Big Ten matches will Northwestern play at home?
The team will compete in four conference contests at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Which returning wrestlers were previous NCAA qualifiers?
Billy Dekraker and Sam Cartella are the returning NCAA qualifiers for the 2026-27 season.

Which upcoming Big Ten matchup do you think will be the most competitive for the Wildcats?