Wrestling fans attending the 2024 Olympic Trials in State College, Pa., will be in for in for a treat when they leave Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center between sessions as there will be a free Fan Fest across the street at Pegula Ice Arena.
Similar to the Fan Fest at previous Olympic Trials and the annual Fan Fest/WIN Magazine Fan Expo at the NCAA Division I Championships every year, the event will be the gathering spot for the capacity crowd of wrestling fans attending the Trials. Fan Fest will be a great place to relax between sessions, allowing fans to not have to move their cars, meet with friends, grab a bite to eat and drink, and be entertained during the two afternoon breaks April 19-20.
A full schedule is listed below. Conveniently located just across University Drive, Fan Fest will be happening in the state-of-the-art Pegula Ice Arena where Penn State plays their hockey games. Down on the event floor where the ice normally is, which is being taken up early next week, fans can browse dozens of wrestling exhibits with college wrestling apparel, merchandise, memorabilia, training equipment, new products to the national wrestling community, free giveaways, and much more.
There will be a full buffet available on the upper level at Pegula, as well as lighter food options and alcohol also available. There will be autograph sessions both days, with all former Olympic medalists attending the Trials invited to Fan Fest to meet fans and sign autographs from 2:30-3:30 on Friday. Olympic medalists who will be in State College and can attend should reach out to USA Wrestling’s Derek Sikora at dsikora@usawrestling.org so arrangements can be made.
On Saturday, former Penn State three-time champ, Hodge winner and undefeated MMA star Bo Nickal will be signing from 2:45-4:45.
In addition, USA Wrestling will be having practices there both days right after the first session, led by national team coaches. And, fans will not want to miss the stage programming at Fan Fest on both afternoons. On Friday, from 4:00-4:30, USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender will be discussing how wrestling ended up with only six weight classes in each style in the Olympics, if there’s potential of getting more weights soon, and will also give fans an update on the health of wrestling right now on the international level.
On Saturday, make sure to not miss the Flo Finals Show from 4-5 pm, preceded by USA Wrestling head freestyle coach Bill Zadick’s interview with Nickal and U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick about how wrestling has impacted their lives, and what the sport does for young people.
Fans will be able to order tickets to the buffet, held in the upper level at Pegula, in a link sent to ticket holders and promoted online. Or, fans can purchase the buffet and other food options at Pegula either afternoon.
Friday – 2:00-6:00 pm
2:15-3:30 – USA Wrestling Practice
2:30-3:30 – Olympic Medalists Autograph Session
4:00-4:30 – Expansion of Olympic Weight Classes, State of Wrestling Internationally Discussion – USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender with WIN Magazine’s Bryan Van Kley
Saturday – 1:30-6:00 pm
2:45-4:00 – USA Wrestling Practice
2:45-4:45 – Bo Nickal Autograph Session
3:30-4:00 – Impact of Wrestling Discussion – Greg Elinsky Interview with Bo Nickal & Dave McCormick
4:00-5:00 – FloWrestling Finals Show
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