TULSA, Okla. — The Big 12 Wrestling Championship is back in Tulsa.
It was announced in 2018, that Tulsa would be home to the tournament until 2024, keeping a steady stream of tourism flowing into town.
Over the next few years, tens of thousands of people will travel to Tulsa, and many from out of state.
Twelve teams compete in the two day tournament at the BOK Center, including universities like Iowa State, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
It brings a $2 million plus bump in economic revenue, with nearly 20,000 people flooding into Tulsa during the event.
Tulsa Regional Tourism President Ray Hoyt said seven other cities put in bids to host the tournament.
He said they had to show they could handle the large scale event and influx of people.
“We had to make guarantees and assurances that we could deliver on the Big 12 Championship and meet expectations on execution, on opportunity to grow the event and to perform at a high level for a championship of the Big 12,” said Hoyt.
He said having secured this event at the BOK Center could lead to other opportunities.
The city has put in another bid for a major tournament to come to Tulsa.
The BOK Center opens its doors at 10 am Saturday, with preliminary matches starting at 11 am.
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