The 2025-2026 fencing season is half way through! Regional and National competitions are running across the country, and even International season had started. As you sharpen your skills, attended a few your target tournaments, it’s time to set your sights on the big event – USA Fencing Summer Nationals 2026! Many fencers ask: what should be my goal for the season, and how do I qualify for Summer Nationals?
What’s New for 2026?
There are a few important changes to the 2026 USA Fencing Summer Nationals qualification process compared to last season:
Qualification requirements are slightly more stringent:
- Y14 fencers now need 160 regional points (up from 150 in previous years)
- Cadet and Junior fencers now need 75 regional points (up from 65 in previous years)
This makes the qualification process a bit more challenging, but not dramatically so. You’ll need to be slightly more consistent at regional events to earn your spot.
NAC participant caps:
- Division 1, Junior, and Cadet NACs are now capped at 315 participants
- July Challenge will have no cap
As always, remember:
- Rules and qualifying paths can change yearly and as we see this year, they do!
- As you progress through age categories, previous year’s paths might not apply to you
- Stay informed about your specific qualification route throughout the season
Your Visual Guide to Qualification
We’ve created an easy-to-follow infographic to help you navigate the qualification process. This visual guide compiles all the essential information from the USA Fencing website and the Athlete Handbook, updated for the 2026 season.
👉 [Click here to view the updated infographic for USA Fencing Summer Nationals 2026 qualification]
Spread the Word!
Help your fellow fencers stay informed:
- Share this post on your social media
- Tag your fencing buddies
- Use hashtags like #USAFencing #SummerNationals2026 #FencingQualification
Let’s ensure everyone knows how to qualify for this exciting event!
Mark Your Calendars!
The 2026 USA Fencing Summer Nationals will be held in Portland, Oregon and for the West Coast families this is a great location!
- Book accommodations early via USA Fencing Group Housing partner
- Research transportation options
- Consider arriving a day or two early to acclimate and practice
See you at the USA Fencing Summer Nationals 2026! Remember, every touch counts, but it’s the memories and friendships you’ll forge that truly make this event special. En garde and good luck! 🏆 🤺
Thanks for doing this. It’s always a challenge to explain the qualification paths, especially to new fencers. I do have two issues with the Piktochart presentation. First, is there a way to print it out? I couldn’t figure any way to get the charts in a readable format. Second, you have this as 2025, not 2026. You should correct that.
Thanks again for all your work!
Thanks! The link was correct. But since I created this updated 2026 presentation from the last year’s one (not much changed), I forgot to fix the date on some of the slides. Now all is fixed. Thank you for pointing out to these typos.