2026 State Wrestling Media Credential Information
IGHSAU Policy on Requesting State Tournament Credentials: The Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union shall grant, at the discretion of management, media access credentials for its state championship events to radio, television, print and on-line media to those organizations or companies which routinely provide coverage during regular season play for either teams or individuals which are participating in the tournament, or which regularly offer general coverage of the sport. The number of credentials issued to each organization or company shall be held to the discretion of management. Private talent evaluators, scouting services, photography studios, etc. shall not be granted access to areas of any venue restricted for media access.
STATE QUALIFYING MEETS MEDIA INFORMATION: Media do not need to apply for credentials for any of the state qualifying wrestling meets, but please bring media-affiliation identification as you may be asked to provide media credentials. It is recommended that media bring their own hot spots, power strips/extension cords.
APPLYING FOR STATE WRESTLING MEDIA CREDENTIALS: Media wishing to cover the 2026 Girls State Wrestling Tournament must submit a credential application by clicking here. The deadline to request credentials is 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 2, 2026. You will receive an email confirmation from Jason when your email is received. Please be cognizant of this deadline.
IGHSAU All-Tournament Passes: With space at such a premium, all media will need to submit a credential request, regardless of if you have the IGHSAU all-tournament pass. The IHSAA media badge will not be honored.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR CREDENTIALS? Credentials are limited to working media only. They are not to be given to parents or independent photo studios. This has been abused at past Girls State Wrestling Tournaments. If a news outlet has a special circumstance about who needs credentials, please contact Jason Eslinger at jasoneslinger@ighsau.org. You may also make arrangements with IGHSAU photographer Matt Putney if you need images from the State Wrestling Tournament.
MEDIA PARKING & CREDENTIAL PICK-UP/ENTRANCE: Media may park in any of the public lots that are available. The media entrance is at the Green State Family Fieldhouse, located on the south end of Xtream Arena.
Interviews: Post match interviews will take place in the media workroom, which is Court 5 of the Green State Family Fieldhouse connected to Xtream Arena. All interviews will be conducted in the media workroom. Do not attempt to interview coaches or players mat side or outside the designated interview area.
While covering the tournament, all media personnel are asked to remain off the arena floor unless actively capturing content. Sitting or standing along the dashers at the edge of the mat is prohibited. A pink tape line will clearly indicate the approved media boundaries.
Phone Line Order Information: Phone lines will not be available to order. Media tables will have internet patches for ethernet connections. Please bring your own ethernet cables along with power strips/extension cords/hot spots. Please contact Xtream Arena General Manager Jason Anderson (Jason.Anderson@oakviewgroup.com) if you have any questions.
BROADCASTING INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
LIVE RADIO: Due to space limitations, radio stations providing live coverage are limited to two broadcasters per station. CISN-TV will be video streaming the state wrestling tournament on the IGHSAU Digital Network and Iowa PBS will be televising and streaming the State Wrestling finals. ALL OTHER VIDEO STREAMING OF GIRLS STATE WRESTLING MATCHES IS PROHIBITED.
Radio Stations: Radio stations will be allowed to originate a live broadcast of an IGHSAU Iowa High School State Tournament/Playoff/Championship/ Event/Meet for $150. This fee is good for both days of the tournament.
ALL CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO THE IOWA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC UNION (IGHSAU) AND MUST BE PRESENTED TO WHEN ENTERING XTREAM ARENA THROUGH THE MEDIA ENTRANCE.
LIVE AUDIO STREAMING, AUDIO ARCHIVING OR DELAYED AUDIO REPLAY OF THE BROADCAST IS ALLOWED. Specialized radio or television broadcasts or acquiring content for live or delayed broadcasts may be subject to a rights fee charge. There is no charge for live updates of IGHSAU Girls State Wrestling Tournament.
Tournament/Playoff/Championship/Event. A live update is a broadcast from a station representative with press credentials that takes no longer than five minutes per hour and does not include “play by play” coverage during the update.
Feel free to call or e-mail Jason if you have any further questions or concerns. I look forward to seeing you in Coralville February 5-6.
Jason Eslinger
