July 6, 2026
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Fargo
Every July, the FARGODOME turns into the center of the wrestling world. Thousands of the country's top wrestlers head to Fargo, North Dakota for the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals — the largest wrestling tournament on the planet.
The 2026 event runs July 10–18 on the North Dakota State campus, crowning champions across all three Olympic styles in the Junior and 16U divisions. Now in its 55th year, the tournament has grown almost every season since it launched in Iowa City back in 1971 (with one pandemic-forced pause in 2020).
Whether this is a wrestling family's first trip to Fargo or their fifth, tournament week runs different from anything else on the calendar. Here's what veteran coaches, wrestlers, and wrestling parents want every first-timer to know before they go.
1. Soak it in. Nothing else in wrestling compares to Fargo. Win or lose, every match is a chance to learn something. No trip to Fargo is wasted.
2. Don't let the rankings intimidate you. Nationally ranked wrestlers are everywhere, but they still have to wrestle the same six minutes everyone else does. Show up believing you belong.
3. Watch as much wrestling as possible. Some of the best matches of the year happen on mats you're not competing on. Study wrestlers from other parts of the country — it'll make you better.
25. Look up once in a while. It's easy to get buried in brackets and results. Take a second to remember where you are. Fargo has produced Olympians, world champions, and NCAA champions — for one week, every competitor is part of that history.
4. Bring a fan. The dorms run hot, and fans sell out fast once everyone arrives. Pack one before leaving home.
5. Pack for both extremes. Dorms and the outdoors run hot, but the FARGODOME can feel like a walk-in cooler. A hoodie or light jacket earns its space in the bag.
8. Bring extra practice clothes. Between workouts, competition, and North Dakota summer heat, clean clothes disappear fast. Pack enough, or plan on doing laundry mid-week.
9. Pack bug spray. North Dakota mosquitoes show up in force around the dorms once the sun goes down.
10. Wear comfortable shoes. The FARGODOME is massive, and the week involves a lot of walking between mats, dorms, vendor areas, and parking lots.
13. Budget for parking. Parking isn't free, and the pass color changes daily — worth double-checking before heading to the lot.
14. Shop away from the arena. Stores closest to the FARGODOME sell out of fans and snacks quickly. A short drive gets a much better selection.
6. Never leave gear unattended. Theft has been a recurring issue over the years. Backpacks, wallets, credentials, and wrestling gear should stay within reach at all times.
7. Keep your credential secure. Attach it to a backpack or keep it somewhere safe — replacing a lost tournament pass is a headache nobody wants mid-week.
11. Don't count on cell service. With thousands of people packed into one building, service inside the FARGODOME can get spotty. Make a plan with family in case texts and calls don't go through.
12. Track the schedule closely. The tournament moves efficiently, and mats rarely run behind. Know your bout number and be ready well before it's called.
20. Find the awards podium early. Locating it before the finals saves time once medal ceremonies start.
15. Trade some gear. Trading singlets, shirts, and team apparel is one of Fargo's great traditions — just keep the favorites out of the trade pile.
16. Meet people from everywhere. Fargo pulls athletes, coaches, and families from every corner of the country. The wrestling community is one of the best parts of the week.
17. Fargo runs on shared effort. Someone will help find a mat, save a seat, watch gear, or send a match video. Return the favor when the chance comes up.
18. Respect everyone working the event. Officials, volunteers, photographers, and staff put in long hours all week. A little kindness goes a long way, even after a tough loss.
21. Follow tournament photographers on social media. Many post galleries throughout the week — worth checking for great action shots.
22. Credit photographers when sharing their work. Reposting or screenshotting images without permission is copyright infringement, even when it's well-intentioned.
23. Clean up after yourself. Simple, but it keeps the FARGODOME a better place for everyone all week long.
19. Give your wrestler some grace. Weight cuts, nerves, and long days stack up. A little patience goes further than a critique in the moment.
24. Say something they'll remember. Before they step on the mat, keep it simple: "I can't wait to watch you wrestle. I love you." Sometimes that means more than any last-minute technical note.
Tip #3 on this list is one of the most valuable pieces of advice for any wrestler: watch as much wrestling as possible. The mat time you don't compete on is still coaching material.
That's the whole idea behind MatBoss. Coaches use MatBoss to capture match video and stats together in one system, so film from Fargo — or any tournament — is organized, searchable, and ready for review the moment the team gets home. No digging through phones for the right clip. No disconnected spreadsheets of stats from the weekend.
