Structure & Functioning

The Congress is the general meeting of the members of the Federation. 

It is the supreme organ of UWW and meets every two years (during World Championships). The Congress is composed of:

1. the delegates of the Affiliated Members (189, as of October 2024); and
2. the Bureau Members elected by the Congress.​​

In particular, the Congress is invested with the following powers*: 

• approval and modification to the Constitution;
• approval of the financial statements and of the Bureau's financial report;
• election and removal of the President and of the members of the Bureau;
• expulsion of Affiliated or Associated members;
• decisions on all matters and suggestions proposed by the Bureau and the National Federations;
• determination of the subscription fees and other resources of the Federation.
• approval of the Bureau general work program.

(*Full list available in Constitution, article 11.2)

The Executive Committee is composed of the President, the Secretary General and the Vice- Presidents. It has full powers for the administration, the financial  management and the entire UWW’s activity, as proposed by the President. It meets 3 to 4 times per year (during World Championships and on other occasions).

The Bureau is composed of:

• the President;
• Six Vice-presidents, including at least two women;
• thirteen elected members;
• the Presidents of the Continental Councils; and
• the President of the Athletes’ Commission.

The Bureau is in charge of the management and administration of the Federation and meets 2 to 3 times per year (during World Championships and on other occasions). Among other tasks, the Bureau :

• ensure the proper implementation of the decisions made by the Congress;
• approve wrestling rules;
• establish rules and regulations compliant with the Constitution;
• upon proposal from the President, appoint the members of the commissions;
• propose the statutory auditor to be elected by the Congress;
• upon proposal from the President, approve all Federation agreements and contracts for partnerships, sponsoring, acquisition and change of property and submit them to the Congress for approval;
• select the dates and the organizers of all world and continental championships as well as the world and continental cups;
• approve decisions made by the Executive Committee.

The Continental Councils are auxiliary bodies of the Federation. Their mission is to promote and develop wrestling on their continent and report to the President and the Bureau. They must ensure that the UWW Constitution and the regulations are respected. The Continental Councils are composed by an Executive Committee of seven individuals, including one woman compulsorily. They are elected for four years by the elective General Assembly of the respective continent. The General Assembly is convened once per year.

The Commissions are also auxiliary bodies. They are set up by the Bureau, which determines the purpose and mission of each Commission. The members of Commissions are appointed by the Bureau upon proposal from the President. Each Commission each headed by a Bureau member. These commissions either work on specific topics as requested by the President or make reasoned proposals to the Bureau. These commissions meet once a year as minimum.

The Associated Styles Committee was created to manage and promote associated styles such as Grappling, Pankration, Amateur MMA and Traditional Styles. A Bureau Member presides on this committee which reports to the President and the Bureau on its activities.

Other Committees (Beach Wrestling Committee, Comité de la Francophonie, Commonwealth Committee, Mediterranean Committee) were created for the development and the promotion of the sport on a regional or specific level. They have no ruling capacity.

The Administration of UWW is located in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland. Fifteen staff work full or part-time in the headquarters in six departments (Sports, Development, Commercial Operations & Communications, General Affairs, IT, Licensing).  Other contributors work for the federation on a consultant basis.