Ingles Smoky Mountain Grapple At The Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville!

42 of the top teams from the Southeastern United States will compete for the 2026 title. This is an individual and team tournament, double elimination with the Varsity and Girls Division wrestle backs to 6th place, while the JV wrestle back to 4th place. We are excited to continue the growth and competitiveness of our independent Girl’s Invitational Tournament in 2026.

Boy’s Varsity Team Entry Fee: $275.00
JV Entry Fee: $15.00 per wrestler
Girls Division Fee: $15.00 per wrestler

Team Champions: Varsity Boys

  • 2017 Northern Guilford

  • 2018 Newton-Conover

  • 2019 West Henderson

  • 2021 Robbinsville

  • 2022 Uwharrie Charter Academy

  • 2023 Avery County

  • 2024 Pisgah

  • 2025 Uwharrie Charter Academy

Team Champions: Girls

  • 2019 Science Hill

  • 2021 Newton Conover

  • 2022 North Henderson

  • 2023 North Henderson

  • 2024 Swain County

  • 2025 Swain County

For Tournament Info or to reserve your spot, please contact Lucas Owens: Lucas@ashevillesports.org

YOUR VENUE!

HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CENTER - ASHEVILLE

Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville Arena, set up for the Ingles Smoky Mountain Grapple Wrestling Tournament with eight wrestling mats.
Exterior of the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at the Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville, with statue sculptures of musicians in front, banners for sports and entertainment events, and signage for Asheville Sports and Ingles.

Since its creation in 2017, the Ingles Great Smoky Mountain Grapple has proudly called Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville home. Developed through a partnership among the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, the venue and Buncombe County Schools, the tournament grew from just 12 teams in its inaugural year to 721 wrestlers by its third edition. Today, the Grapple continues that tradition by bringing athletes, families and fans together in downtown Asheville for one of the region’s signature high school wrestling events.

Address: 87 Haywood St. Asheville, NC, 28801

 

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Become A Sponsor Today!

Vertical banner displaying the Great Smoky Mountain Grapple event logo at the top, with sponsor logos including Ingles, College H.U.N.K.S., Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville, U.S. Army, Mission Sports Medicine, Image Solutions, and Asheville Sports, along with the hashtag #GRAPPLEAVL at the bottom.

Partner with us to support premier sporting events across Asheville and Buncombe County while connecting your brand with athletes, families, fans, and the local community.

For More Information!