Fencing Summer Nationals 2025 in Milwaukee is approaching fast, and if you’re a parent preparing for your first national-level fencing competition, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. After helping hundreds of families navigate their first nationals over the years, I want to share the essential strategies that will help you and your fencer have an amazing, stress-free experience.

Back in 2015, I created a comprehensive guide for people going to their first national-level tournament. While some small details have changed over the years, the core advice remains invaluable for anyone attending Summer Nationals.

Attending Summer Nationals is not like attending any other event—it’s a transformative experience. Your fencer will compete against the best youth fencers from across the country, gain confidence and self-esteem from rising to the challenge, create lasting friendships within the fencing community, and experience the unique atmosphere of a major national competition. Your child will also gain valuable experience that will serve them well when they move up to higher age categories. There is nothing like Summer Nationals in the USA.

What You’ll Find in This Guide to the USA Fencing Nationals

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about national tournaments, including:

• Competition format and what makes nationals different from local tournaments
• Special requirements like uniform stenciling, equipment check procedures, and previous day pool posting
• Venue navigation and key areas to locate on arrival
• Travel and packing strategies for flying vs. driving
• Competition day timeline and preparation essentials
• Strip coaching guidelines and expectations
• Direct elimination procedures and seeding explanations
• And much more to ensure you feel confident and prepared

Whether this is your first nationals or you’re looking for a refresher, this guide will help you make the most of this incredible experience.

Download the complete Summer Nationals guide for free here (scroll down to the last book)

Safe travels to Milwaukee, and fence well!