WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Head coach Tony Ersland and the Purdue wrestling team announced plans on Tuesday to participate in the third annual Throwdown on the Yorktown, which is set for Nov. 7-8 in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
The one-of-a-kind event affords numerous college wrestling programs the opportunity to compete on the top deck of the USS Yorktown CV-10, an Essex-class aircraft carrier anchored in the Charleston Harbor.
Purdue will become just the second Big Ten men’s program to partake in the event after Maryland did so last year.
“We are honored and excited to give our guys the chance to wrestle at a once-in-a-lifetime setting like the Yorktown,” Coach Ersland said. “It’s something they’ll always remember beyond their wrestling years. To be able to also celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in a patriotic way like this will be something they can tell their kids about someday. It will be a great opportunity for us to challenge ourselves against two strong Division I programs early in the season.”
The Boilermakers are scheduled to wrestle Air Force (2:30 p.m. ET) and The Citadel (5 p.m. ET) on Saturday, Nov. 7, in a pair of duals aboard the Yorktown. If needed, Sunday, Nov. 8, will serve as a weather make-up day.
Tickets for the historic event will go on sale Saturday, Aug. 1 at 9 a.m. ET. Tickets are $100 each and will grant access to the entire two-day event and to the museum. Kids age 5 and under get in free.
At 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, a link to purchase tickets will be provided on Purdue Wrestling's official X and Facebook pages and will also be posted here on PurdueSports.com.
Purdue will open wrestling season with a home dual in Holloway Gymnasium against Kent State on Sunday, Nov. 1. As always, admission to all home events will be free. The rest of the 2026-27 season schedule is available here.