Beat the Streets New York Wrestling opens registration for 2026-27 season

Memberships are 100 percent free for K-12 New York City student-athletes from all five boroughs.

Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. is proud to announce registration for the 2026-27 season is now officially open.

Registration is a free membership with USA Wrestling, the sport's national governing body, required to train and compete but cost nothing for NYC K-12 student-athletes. The membership period runs from Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2027, and is open to all boys and girls across New York City, regardless of prior wrestling experience.

Register today at btsny.org/register.

After Registration

Once registered, the next step is simple: check the Training Center wrestling practice schedule and show up to the next practice ready to learn and wrestle.

Students do not need wrestling shoes for their first practice. Loaner shoes may be available (size pending).

Beat the Streets New York's inclusive, citywide programming supports youth from all five boroughs, with more than 83 percent of participants identifying as students of color. Through wrestling, BTSNY builds discipline, perseverance, self-reliance, humility and a strong work ethic - all lessons that student-athletes carry off the wrestling mat and into the classroom and beyond.

New to Wrestling

BTSNY provides free coaching, equipment and mentorship for every skill level, and NYC students can start at any age regardless of if their school has a wrestling team. BTSNY coaches include former NCAA wrestlers, who are experienced in all wrestling styles: folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman.

• All students can participate in Training Center wrestling practices.

• Elementary and middle school students -> Junior League

• Middle and high school students looking to improve life and wrestling skills -> check out the Academy

Returning this Season

Registration works the same as in past years, but you must re-register at btsny.org/register. For middle school and high school students, the Academy application process will begin later this month.

BTSNY's 3 Core Programs

Training Center: The hub of NYC scholastic wrestling community, the Training Center provides free coaching, match prep and mentorship of all levels. Student-athletes gain access to a diverse community and train alongside peers from schools throughout the city.

Junior League: NYC's only elementary and middle school wrestling league, featuring 25-plus teams. Student-athletes participate in weekly practices and events such as Family Afternoon Match (FAM) Days, mini tournaments and a city championship. The program also connects wrestling techniques to real-world life scenarios and character development.

Academy: Designed for middle and high school student-athletes, the Academy blends social-emotional learning and wrestling development. Academy nights feature practices led by Olympians and NCAA champions and coaches, alongside workshops and guest speakers. Seniors also receive college scholarships and travel for regional and national events.

Questions

For more information on BTSNY programs or registration, email BTSNY Senior Wrestling Coach Lenny Merkin at lmerkin@btsny.org.

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Since being founded in 2005, Beat the Streets New York has pioneered a movement that now includes 150 individual wrestling programs, a youth league and the first girls high school league.

BTSNY works to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and strengthen the New York City wrestling culture. We aim to make a lifelong impact on student-athletes through the lessons learned on the wrestling mat -- discipline, perseverance, self-reliance, humility and a strong work ethic. Discover how you can make a meaningful contribution to our work at btsny.org/donate.