USA Fencing News
We summarize official USA Fencing announcements for saber athletes and their families, and link every story to the official source plus our deeper guides.
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USA Fencing Eliminates the P-Yellow Card (Oct 1, 2026)
The USA Fencing Board voted on Sept. 19, 2026 to remove the P-yellow card from the non-combativity sequence. From Oct. 1, 2026 the progression is P-red then P-black, starting with the October NAC in Orlando.
Read more · Official USA Fencing source
Related Saber Nation guides
USA Fencing and MOCA Team Up: Try Fencing After Your Museum Visit
USA Fencing and MOCA will stage fencing programming in Manhattan and invite every museum visitor to try fencing at a local club via TryFencing.org.
How to Qualify for the 2027 Junior Olympics: Cadet and Junior Paths
Updated 2026-27 guide to Cadet and Junior qualification for the 2027 Junior Olympics in Oklahoma City (Jan. 8-11), with paths, birth years, and key deadlines.
USA Fencing Names TOGETHXR Official Media Partner for LA28
A two-year Official Media Partner deal through 2028 for documentary-style coverage, social storytelling, and athlete cross-participation on the road to Los Angeles.
USA Fencing Opens Two New Paths Into the Elite Field
Temporary Legacy Top 112 Elite opt-in for October and November NACs, plus a permanent exemption process for top-level fencers returning from an extended break.
USA Fencing Bylaw Committee and Three Legacy Amendments Open for Comment
A new standing Bylaws Review Committee, plus three proposed amendment packages open for member comment through Nov. 5, 2026, covering USOPC compliance, Nominating Committee independence, and ballot pathways.
USA Fencing Elite vs Challenger Split: October NAC Guide
The first Elite/Challenger event split happens Sept. 24, 2026 before the October NAC. Who fills Elite, how waitlists move, and what families should check.
USA Fencing NAC Eligibility: Points Minimums and Rating Floors
National tournaments now require minimum points: 150 for Division I, 100 for Junior and Cadet. Plus the full points floor table by rating as of Aug. 1, 2026.
USA Fencing 2026–27 Listening Tour: Meet CEO Phil Andrews
CEO Phil Andrews meets athletes, parents, coaches, and officials at NACs plus Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and Salt Lake City. Full schedule and signup details.
USA Fencing Partners with Chief Executive Group to Bring Fencing into Boardrooms
USA Fencing and Chief Executive Group formed a partnership to introduce fencing to corporate executives at four conferences.
Mandy Patinkin Named First Honorary Team Captain for LA28 Ambassador Program
Emmy and Tony winner Mandy Patinkin joins USA Fencing as the first Honorary Team Captain in a new ambassador program ahead of LA28.
Creator Showdown: 12 Creators, 4 Team USA Fencers, 3 Days at the Heineken Riverdeck
USA Fencing will host the Creator Showdown Sept. 21-23 at the Heineken Riverdeck, pairing 12 creators with four Team USA fencers.
2025–26 Regional Patch Winners Across USA Fencing's Six Regions
659 regional patches went to Youth, Cadet and Junior fencers from 175 clubs, based on regional standings, with patches mailed in September.
Bouts and Brews: How One Club Built a Summer League Adults Actually Want to Join
Boston Fencing Club's Bouts and Brews grew into a record 13 adult teams fencing weeknights in July, then heading to a bar or brewery.
USA Fencing Announces Five Fencing the Gap Grant Recipients for 2026
USA Fencing selected five clubs for 2026 Fencing the Gap Club Grants of $5,000 each to expand access.
USA Fencing Names NextShark an Official Media Partner
USA Fencing named NextShark an Official Media Partner effective Aug. 1 to spotlight AAPI fencers and grow Try Fencing.
USA Fencing 2026–27 Event Combos: Nine Stops and Who Fences Where
All nine national stops with dates, cities, and the categories at each one — including the February NAC in Richmond, Virginia, the closest event of the season for DMV families.
USA Fencing Selects Fastbreak Travel as Official Housing Provider
Fastbreak Travel will serve as official housing provider for USA Fencing national competitions and support regional events.
USA Fencing Names Golden by Corgi as Its New Insurance Program Partner
USA Fencing announced Golden by Corgi will provide its insurance program beginning August 1 for clubs, coaches, officials and athletes.
Skip Gilbert Named to USA Fencing Board of Directors
Skip Gilbert, veteran Olympic and Paralympic sport CEO, was named an independent director of the USA Fencing Board of Directors.
Erik Moses Named to USA Fencing Board of Directors
Erik Moses, Fiesta Sports Foundation CEO and former fencing parent, was named an independent director of the USA Fencing Board.
USA Fencing Points Tables Before Aug. 1: Regional Walls Down, SJCC Values
Junior and Cadet fencers can earn regional points anywhere in the country, an in-region window protects the first three weeks, and SJCC wins are worth 120 and 90 points.
USA Fencing Brings 2027 Summer Nationals to Salt Lake City
The world's largest fencing tournament runs July 2–11, 2027 at the Salt Palace Convention Center, with free admission for spectators.
CCNY Revives Men's NCAA Fencing, Reigniting a Storied Beavers Tradition
City College of New York will add varsity men's fencing beginning in the 2027-28 season with support from USA Fencing and the U.S. Fencing Foundation.
Caraa's New Fencing Collection Was Designed by Someone Who's Been on Every Side of the Strip
Caraa co-founder and CEO Aaron Luo, a Vet-40 epee fencer and Fencers Club member, launched a Caraa x USA Fencing collection.
USA Fencing’s New Points and Events Structure Explained (June 2026)
From Aug. 1, 2026, Cadet, Junior, and Division I share one unified Trial points list built from a fencer's best six results. Legacy points continue alongside it.
Inside the 2026 USA Fencing Election: Secrecy, Turnout, and Safeguards
How the Board election ran on eBallot: secret ballots, 3,323 votes for 19.80% turnout, the Borda Count explained, and the Fingerprint Report audit log.
Cloudflare to Become Official Technology Partner of USA Fencing, Powering Boutcaster
A multi-year partnership makes Cloudflare the Official Technology Partner behind Boutcaster, a new platform for live and on-demand tournament viewing, tested at the April 2026 Richmond NAC.
USA Fencing Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2027
Eight inductees, including saber Olympians Ibtihaj Muhammad OLY and Steve Kaplan OLY, chosen from 47 qualified nominees through member voting and objective scoring.
Nona Lim and Greg Husisian Elected to USA Fencing Board (2026)
Both new at-large directors serve four-year terms from Sept. 1, 2026, alongside Board-appointed director Jeremy Sirota.
2026 USA Fencing Referees' Commission Election Results
Sean Shumate, Matt Tucker, and Kelly Koehler elected vice chairs to four-year terms starting Aug. 1, 2026, on 59.04% referee turnout.
Trinity College to Add Varsity Fencing, Joining Growing List of NCAA Programs
Women's fencing starts in 2027–28 as the 47th NCAA varsity women's program, with men's fencing in 2028–29 if the first program succeeds.
USA Fencing Regional Calendars: 181 Events Across Two Seasons
Two full seasons released at once: 90 regional tournaments in 2026–27 and 91 in 2027–28, 181 events across 23 states.
One Team, One Logo: Meet the New USA Fencing Mark
More than 1,000 members voted and Option A won: one shield uniting fencing and parafencing, official Aug. 1, 2026, with a no-waste transition for club materials.
10 Things to Know About USA Fencing’s Proposed 2026–27 Budget
The proposed $17,585,537 operating budget, reviewed by the Budget Committee before the May 30, 2026 Board meeting: national events, member services, reserves, and the 2026–27 membership fee changes.
USA Fencing to Open Maison d'Escrime at the Biltmore Los Angeles for LA28
An invitation-only hospitality house about a mile from the LA Convention Center, described as the first sport-specific house announced by a U.S. NGB for the 2028 Games.
College Fencing Is Growing. Here's the Team Making It Happen.
Arcadia, Fairleigh Dickinson and Denison added varsity fencing this season, bringing the total to 47 schools, with a fourth announcement expected before the end of May.
Oscar-Nominated Composer Laura Karpman to Score LA28 Fencing Anthem
USA Fencing commissioned Oscar-nominated composer Laura Karpman — who took up fencing during the pandemic — to write the first Olympic and Paralympic anthem for a single sport.
USA Fencing and FIE Sign MOU on the Road to LA28
Signed April 24 at the Richmond NAC, the MOU creates a joint Fencing Road to LA28 Working Group in force through Dec. 31, 2028, with World Para Fencing invited.
How a U.S. Paralympic Fencer Is Helping Build Parafencing in Namibia
Jataya Taylor PLY handcycled across southern Africa with donated gear in 2023; a local coach kept the program going, and an October return visit brought an official fencing chair in Namibia's colors.
USA Fencing Sets Hall of Fame Ballot for Class of 2027
The committee chaired by Kamilla Gafurzianova OLY reviewed 47 qualified nominees across six categories; members voted in May alongside the Board of Directors election.
A Fencing Family's Brand, Recreational Habits, Comes to USA Fencing Events
Founded by fencing parent Jackie Skye Muller, the club-sports-inspired brand soft-launches at the April NAC in Richmond, Va., April 24-27, with the full collection at Summer Nationals in Portland from June 27.
An Exclusive Wine Reception Is Coming to Summer Nationals
USA Fencing's official wine partner hosts a 21+ reception Sunday, June 28 at the Oregon Convention Center for $99 per person, with winemaker Veronique Drouhin, screenwriter Rob Edwards and a Fencing and Film panel.
USA Fencing Election 2026: Seven Candidates, Two At-Large Seats
The petition window closed March 31, leaving seven candidates for two At-Large Board seats, with ranked preferential voting May 13–31, 2026.
Vet Team Becomes the Road Scholar Vet National Team
USA Fencing's Veteran World Team is now the Road Scholar Veteran National Team, with 2026 selection running through three national events.
Junior & Cadet Worlds Day 9: U.S. Junior Men's Epee Team Wins First World Title
Down six touches late, Team USA's Junior Men's Epee squad stormed back past Israel 45–39 in Rio for the program's first team world title.
Junior & Cadet Worlds Day 8: Cafasso Takes Cadet Women's Epee Silver
After a pre-dawn venue fire forced a one-building schedule in Rio, Natalya Cafasso reached the Cadet Women's Epee final for U.S. silver.
USA Fencing Launches En Garde! Fencing to Bring the Sport Into Schools
A school-based program presenting fencing as physical chess, with an Elementary level for Grades 3-5 plus Middle and High School levels, built to connect students to local USA Fencing clubs.
Junior & Cadet Worlds Day 7: Wimmer's Historic Junior Men's Epee Silver
Nathaniel Wimmer became just the second American ever to medal in Junior Men's Epee, rallying from 7–1 down in the semifinal.
Junior & Cadet Worlds Day 6: Underdog U.S. Junior Men's Foil Team Wins Gold
Seeded ninth, Team USA's Junior Men's Foil squad beat four top-eight teams — including No. 1 China — then France 45–31 for gold.
Junior & Cadet Worlds Day 5: Jaelyn Liu's Historic Cadet–Junior Foil Double
Jaelyn Liu became the first fencer ever to win Cadet and Junior gold at two different world championships, with Calise and Wang also medaling.
USA Fencing Starter Kits: New-Fencer Gear in One Place
USA Fencing partnered with Absolute Fencing on starter kits so beginners and parents across nearly 800 clubs can buy essential equipment without guesswork.
Junior & Cadet Worlds Day 4: Jaelyn Liu Repeats as Junior Women's Foil Champion
Liu battled back from 10–8 down with a cramping hand in the semifinal, then beat China's Linlin Zhu 15–4 for a second straight Junior Foil world title.
Junior & Cadet Worlds Day 3: U.S. Junior Men's Saber Team Wins Fourth Straight Gold
Morrill, Gonzalez, Choi and Kim extended Team USA's Junior Men's Saber team dynasty to four consecutive world titles in Rio.
Junior & Cadet Worlds Day 2: Aiden Tse Wins Cadet Men's Saber Gold on Debut
Premier Fencing Academy's Aiden Tse won Cadet Men's Saber gold at his first Junior & Cadet World Championships, continuing recent U.S. dominance in the event.
Junior & Cadet Worlds Day 1: Will Morrill Takes Junior Men's Saber Silver
After NCAA bronze and a first FIE senior gold days earlier, Will Morrill added Junior Worlds silver — beating the NCAA champion in the semifinal.
Applications Open for Fencing the Gap Club Grants
Five grants of $5,000 each, funded by the U.S. Fencing Foundation and donors, with applications closing April 30 at 11:59 p.m. local time after the 2026 shift from individual to club-level awards.
Volunteers Needed for the 2026 WAS Para Fencing World Cup in Bradenton
The 2026 WAS Para Fencing World Cup runs May 25-30 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., opening the LA 2028 Paralympic qualification cycle; volunteer experience is documented and prioritized by LA28.
U.S. Fencing Foundation's 2025 Impact Report
The Foundation reported $412,000 raised from 540 individual donors and a $2.48 million endowment balance, supporting elite athletes, access programs and collegiate growth.
Notre Dame Wins Men's NCAA Team Title, Ties Columbia for All-Time Lead
In the first year of separate men's and women's NCAA team formats, Notre Dame swept both and tied Columbia with 16 all-time fencing team titles.
Notre Dame Wins Inaugural Women's Three-Weapon NCAA Team Title
Notre Dame edged Columbia 102–99 in South Bend to win the first NCAA women's three-weapon team championship, with Muhari, Guo and Botello taking individual golds.
Henry Harutunian to Receive the 2026 Foundation Legacy Award
Yale's longtime coach - 49 years, five NCAA championships and Olympic coaching contributions - receives the U.S. Fencing Foundation Legacy Award at the May Fete.
USA Fencing Partners with America250 for the Semiquincentennial
A partnership around America's 250th anniversary linking the nation's sword-bearing heritage - Washington's battle sword at the Smithsonian, Continental Army presentation swords - to today's fencers.
Apply to USA Fencing Committees, Councils & Resource Groups (2026–27)
Volunteer applications for 2026–27 committees, councils and resource groups, including the Parents Council, were due July 10, 2026, with Board appointments in September.
2026 NCAA Championships Preview: A Historic New Era Begins
A preview of the March 19–22 NCAA Championships at Notre Dame's Joyce Center, the first year with separate men's and women's three-weapon team titles.
March 2026 NAC Day 4 Recap: Final-Day Gold in Cleveland
Six gold medals capped the March NAC in Cleveland, including home-state and youth champions on the final day.
Lights, Camera, En Garde: Hollywood and Fencing
From Douglas Fairbanks hiring a fencing master for The Mark of Zorro in 1920 through Errol Flynn, Tyrone Power and Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride, film keeps bringing people to the strip.
March 2026 NAC Day 3 Recap: Six More Golds in Cleveland
Six champions were crowned on Day 3 of the March NAC in Cleveland across youth and Division II events.
March 2026 NAC Day 2 Recap: Six Champions in Cleveland
Six gold medalists shone on Saturday at the March NAC in Cleveland.
College Fencing Is Booming: USA Fencing Builds an Alumni Network
With NCAA Regionals at Vassar, Haverford, Cleveland State and Incarnate Word and the championships opening March 19 at Notre Dame, USA Fencing is building a college fencing alumni network and asking for stories.
March 2026 NAC Day 1 Recap: Young Champions Shine in Cleveland
Opening day of the March NAC in Cleveland produced six youth and cadet champions as the weekend began.
Billecart-Salmon Named Official Champagne of USA Fencing
Champagne Billecart-Salmon becomes USA Fencing's Official Champagne, supplying events and receptions including the Foundation Gala on May 28 in New York City and the Hall of Fame Dinner on June 30 in Portland, Ore.
Call for Nominations: USA Fencing Independent Board Directors
Independent director terms run Sept. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2030, and the independence test rules out almost anyone currently inside the sport.
Jeremy Sirota Named to the USA Fencing Board of Directors
A global music executive and fencing parent joins the Board as a non-voting member, becoming a voting member on Sept. 1, 2026 for a four-year term.
Six Seasons of Data: Fencing's 0.338% DE Medical Withdrawal Rate
USA Fencing's Data Resource Team reviewed more than 637,000 direct elimination bouts from August 2019 through July 2025 and found a 0.338% medical withdrawal rate across 44,527 unique fencers.
USA Fencing Election 2026: Initial Nominating Slate and Petition Call
Seven candidates advanced on the initial slate, and petition candidates needed 965 signatures from 29 clubs with at least 58 from each of the six regions.
Fourth Annual U.S. Fencing Foundation Fête Set for May 28
The fourth annual Fête lands Thursday, May 28 at the New York Athletic Club with more than 200 community members expected and a theme celebrating America's collegiate fencing.
USA Fencing Adopts a Sport Integrity Policy to Protect Fair Competition
Effective Feb. 14, 2026: no betting on sanctioned events, no competition manipulation, no misuse of non-public information, plus a duty to report and protection for good-faith reporters.
February 2026 Board Meeting: Sirota Appointed; Single Logo Approved
Meeting in Cincinnati during the February NAC, the Board appointed Jeremy Sirota, approved a single USA Fencing logo, and advanced points and division work.
February 2026 NAC Day 4 Recap: Final Day of Fencing in Cincinnati
The February NAC wrapped in Cincinnati with seven more gold medalists on the final day.
February 2026 NAC Day 3 Recap: Nineteen Events, Nineteen Golds
Day 3 of the February NAC featured nineteen gold-medal events, from Division I to Veteran team competition.
Referees Elect Three of Their Own to the RC Nominating Committee
Harrison Hue, Andy Liu, and Will Curtis were elected from a field of 13 on 46.65% turnout, and will help pick the nominees for the May Referees' Commission election.
February 2026 NAC Day 2 Recap: Gold Rush in Cincinnati
Day 2 in Cincinnati produced a long list of champions across junior, Division I, parafencing and veteran events.
February 2026 NAC Day 1 Recap: Staying Focused, One Touch at a Time
Day 1 of the February NAC in Cincinnati awarded fifteen gold medals across junior, Division I and veteran events.
Call for Candidates: Three Referees' Commission Vice Chair Roles Open
Rules and Examinations, Domestic Assignments, and International Development and Assignments, with the rating, experience, and licensing requirements for each seat.
Jumio Named Official ID Check Partner for USA Fencing
USA Fencing's Official ID Check Partner brings AI-powered identity verification to membership, automating age and nationality checks for members.
Save the Duck Named Official Jacket of USA Fencing
The Milan-founded outerwear brand becomes Official Jacket of USA Fencing, outfitting the World Championships team with a special-edition jacket debuting at 2026 Summer Nationals in Portland.
USA Fencing Launches the Member Insurance Benefits Center
Optional health, vision, and dental coverage for members, coaches, and clubs through Big Green Insurance, with USA Fencing collecting no health data and taking no financial benefit.
What's Changing for 2026 Summer Nationals Qualification
A firm May 6, 2026 qualification deadline, July Challenge regional floors up to 75 points, new International School Circuit routes for Y10 through Y14, and new Division IA, II, and III pathways.
January 2026 SJCC Day 2 Recap: Adaptability On and Off the Strip
Four Super Junior and Cadet Circuit champions were crowned on Day 2 in Memphis across saber, foil and epee.
Eagle Scout Project: Fencing Workshops at The ARC of Katy
Dev Sathyan, 14, a Bridgeland High School freshman, led introductory fencing workshops for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, completing his Eagle Scout project Jan. 6.
January 2026 SJCC Day 2 Recap: Four More Champions in Memphis
A second Day 2 SJCC recap from Memphis crowns four more junior and cadet champions in foil, epee and saber.
January 2026 SJCC Day 1 Recap: One Touch at a Time
Day 1 of the 2026 Super Junior and Cadet Circuit in Memphis crowned four gold medalists.
USA Fencing 2026–27 Dates: November NAC Columbus, JO Oklahoma City
The November NAC runs Nov. 20–23, 2026 in Columbus, and the January NAC plus Junior Olympics runs Jan. 8–11, 2027 in Oklahoma City.
2026 Junior Olympics Day 4 Recap: Final-Day Gold in Kansas City
Four national champions closed the 2026 Junior Olympics in Kansas City on the final day.
USA Fencing–World Fencing League Strategic Partnership
A strategic partnership connecting elite competition with grassroots access, as the World Fencing League founded by Miles Chamley-Watson OLY launches a professional league in Los Angeles in April.
Sebastien Dos Santos Returns as Women's Epee National Coach
A five-time Olympic coach with 27 years of international coaching returns to USA Fencing after a 2009–2021 tenure, succeeding Natalie Dostert.
2026 Junior Olympics Day 3 Recap: Adapting on the Fly in Kansas City
Six national champions were crowned on Day 3 of the 2026 Junior Olympics in Kansas City.
2026 Junior Olympics Day 2 Recap: Hunger, Preparation and Poise in Kansas City
Five national champions were awarded on Day 2 of the 2026 Junior Olympics in Kansas City.
2026 Junior Olympics Day 1 Recap: Smart Adjustments Set the Tone in Kansas City
Three national champions were crowned on Day 1 of the 2026 Junior Olympics in Kansas City.
Apply by Jan. 16 to Join the Referees' Commission Nominating Committee
Three referee representatives on the eight-member RC Nominating Committee were elected Jan. 22–29, 2026 to vet candidates for three Referees' Commission vice chair seats.
Answer the Call: Nominations Open for 2026 USA Fencing Board Seats
Three At-Large Board seats opened for 2026 — two elected by the membership and one appointed by the Board — with four-year terms starting Sept. 1, 2026.
Denison Adds Varsity Men's NCAA Fencing for 2026-27
Denison University will add varsity men's fencing in 2026-27 as its 28th varsity sport, building on a women's program the source ranks No. 1 in Division III.
2026 USA Fencing Veterans Dinner: Feb. 14 in Cincinnati
Veteran fencers gather Feb. 14, 2026 at the Hall of Mirrors during the February NAC, with Vet Fencer of the Year honors by age group and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
How USA Fencing Points Work for Saber
National points, rolling points lists, and how results translate into a seeding.
USA Fencing Membership for Saber Fencers
Membership types, what each one allows, and when a competitive membership is required.
USA Fencing Tournament Types for Saber
Local events, RYCs, RJCCs, SYCs, NACs, and Nationals in plain language.
USA Fencing Age Categories for Saber
Y10 through Veterans, with the birth-year rules families ask about most.
USA Fencing Ratings for Saber
How an E through A rating is earned, renewed, and used for seeding.
Fencing Penalty Cards Explained
Yellow, red, and black cards in saber, and what each one costs a fencer in a bout.
How to Enter Your First Saber Fencing Tournament
Registering on AskFRED, what to pack, and how the competition day runs.
Train saber in Bethesda
Saber Nation trains at one salle, 4701 Sangamore Road, Suite LL2, Bethesda, MD 20816. Saber Nation Fencing Club, 4701 Sangamore Road, Suite LL2, Bethesda, MD 20816. Phone (301) 200-1853, email info@sabernation.com. Weekday hours 4:00pm to 9:00pm, weekend hours 8:00am to 4:00pm.