How to Organise a Wrestling Match

Organising a wrestling match starts with the competition structure, not the food or printed programme. Confirm the venue, decide the format and weight classes, then open registrations so you know how many athletes, referees and judges are needed. In the final week, turn those entries into a running order, match cards and a published programme. On the day, the scale, mat, scoreboards and sound system must be checked before the first bout—not while competitors are waiting.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Confirm the competition venue
2
Set competition format
2 people
3
Invite participants
2 people
4
Send audience invitations
2 people
5
Open registrations
6
Book referees
7
Assign judges
8
Arrange first aid staff
9
Process registrations
2 people
10
Assign weight classes
2 people
11
Collect dietary requirements
12
Draw up the match schedule
2 people
13
Print participant list
14
Print match cards
15
Publish the program
16
Make locker room reservations
17
Make a reservation for material transport
18
Check the competition mat
2 people
19
Check the scale
20
Test the scoreboards
2 people
21
Test sound system
2 people
22
Order catering
23
Do the shopping
2 people
24
Chill drinks
2 people
25
Prepare snacks
3 people
26
Gather materials
3 people
27
Inform participants again

Event

28
Open venue
2 people
29
Inspect the sports floor
2 people
30
Assemble the competition mat
6 people
31
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
32
Set up judges' table
2 people
33
Mark off audience sections
3 people
34
Set up the sound system
3 people
35
Hang decorations
3 people
36
Set up registration desk
2 people
37
Check changing rooms
2 people
38
Set up first aid table
2 people
39
Set out coffee and tea
2 people
40
Display snacks
2 people
41
Register participants
3 people
42
Weigh participants
3 people
43
Confirm competition schedule
2 people
44
Welcome the audience
4 people
45
Handle the opening announcement
46
Supervise wrestling matches
5 people
47
Keep track of scores
2 people
48
Guide participants
2 people
49
Serve drinks
3 people
50
Refill drinks
2 people
51
Refill snacks
2 people
52
Keep the audience area clean
2 people
53
Announce the final
54
Present prizes
3 people
55
See the audience out
4 people

Aftercare

56
Take down the competition mat
6 people
57
Switch off equipment
2 people
58
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
59
Wash dishes
3 people
60
Collect waste
3 people
61
Clean the venue
4 people
62
Clean changing rooms
2 people
63
Sort materials
3 people
64
Return borrowed materials
2 people
65
Clear away leftover catering
2 people
66
Archive competition records

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Sports equipment

Wrestling mat
Mat marking
Training bibsqty 12
Towelsqty 20
Disinfectant spray for matqty 4
Competition whistlesqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 4
Scale
Scoreboardsqty 2
Scorecardsqty 100
Pensqty 20
Competition tablesqty 2
Jury tablesqty 2

Furniture

Chairsqty 120
Registration desk
Changing room benchesqty 8
Bollardsqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4

Equipment

Sound system
Microphoneqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable lampsqty 4
Laptop
Printer
Payment terminal

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 12
Pitchersqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Serving traysqty 6

Decorations

Bannersqty 6
Flagsqty 20
Tableclothsqty 8
Directional signsqty 8

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Broom setsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Waste binsqty 8
Paper towel dispensersqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the competition format before inviting participants. Decide how weight classes, rounds and match progression will work, then use those decisions to create a realistic schedule once registrations close.
Close registrations early enough to process entries and assign weight classes. Allow at least 3–5 days to resolve missing details, dietary requirements and unsuitable entries before printing participant lists and match cards.
Book referees, judges and first-aid staff before publishing the programme. A wrestling match can continue only when officials and medical cover are present for the full competition period.
Reserve changing rooms and arrange material transport in advance. The mat, scale, scoreboards, tables, chairs and registration desk are easy to overlook when the venue has limited storage or access times.
Run a technical check before athletes arrive. Test the competition mat, scale, whistles, stopwatches, scoreboards and sound system, and prepare disinfectant spray, towels, drinks and snacks before the first match starts.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a wrestling match?: Start at least 6–8 weeks before the match if you need a venue, officials and participant registrations. Close registrations several days before the event so you still have time to assign weight classes and publish the schedule.
How do you schedule matches for a wrestling competition?: First group registered athletes by weight class and apply the chosen competition format. Leave transition time between bouts, then print match cards and publish the programme at least 1–2 days before the event.
What officials and staff are needed for a wrestling match?: Plan for referees, judges and first-aid staff, with enough people to cover the entire competition. Confirm availability before invitations go out and provide the final schedule to every official at least 24 hours in advance.
When should you check the wrestling mat and scale?: Check the mat, scale, scoreboards and sound system on the day before if the venue allows access, then repeat a quick test 60–90 minutes before the first bout. This leaves time to fix missing equipment, power or layout problems.

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