Qualification paths for the 2026 Summer Nationals and July Challenge
The Fencing Summer Nationals and the July Challenge represent the highest level of domestic fencing competition, and for many, they are the ultimate goal of the season.
This year, the Fencing Summer Nationals and the July Challenge will be held in Portland, OR, at the Portland Convention Center, between June 27- July 6, 2026.
Fencing Summer Nationals have, in past years, been the largest fencing tournament hosted by USA Fencing and one of the largest tournaments held anywhere in the world.
Are you excited already??
The good news is that even though it sounds overwhelming and scary (“Am I GOOD ENOUGH to be a part of this monster event?”), almost anyone can make it to, with goodwill and a good plan!
What’s the difference between the two events?
The only difference is the name and the events that run in each category:
- The Summer Nationals
Events contested: Y10, Y12, Y14, Division 1A, Division 2, Division 3, and individual Veteran events.
This is a championship, and the winners of the Summer Nationals will be crowned US National Champions in their age/weapon/gender category. - The July Challenge
Events contested: Cadet, Junior, Division 1, Senior Team, and Veteran Team events.
The July Challenge is not a championship event, and it’s open to both national and international competitors. This is like the other NAC events; US Fencing organises 5 North America Cup (NAC) tournaments a year in addition to the Junior Olympics and Summer Nationals/July Challenge championship tournaments.
How can you qualify?
- Qualification is open until May 6, 2026.
Fencers who are not qualified by May 6, 2026, will not be able to qualify for Summer Nationals. Points and results from previous seasons cannot be combined. - Earn National Points by going to NACs, Championships, SYCs, or Designated International Tournaments – these equate to ranking on the National Rolling Points Standings (NRPS)
- Earn Regional Points at RYCs, RJCCs, or ROCs – these equate to ranking on the Regional Points Standings (RPS).
- Finish in the top 25% of a Divisional Qualifier for Division 3, Division 2, or Y14.
- Finish in the top 40% of a Division 2 NAC for Division 2.
Fencers can check their status for qualification purposes on the USA Fencing website, but here are the qualifying paths for each division.
It’s highly recommended that fencers work closely with their coaches to create a plan and find ways that individually suit them, to qualify.
Here is a link to the USA Fencing website, with a comprehensive description of the qualification paths.
Y10 Qualification Path
Born from 2015-2018, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & one of the following:
- On Y10 NRPS (National Rolling Points Standing)
- On Y10 Regional Youth Points Standing
- Earn 60 Y12 Regional points this season
Y12 Qualification Path
Born from 2013-2016, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & one of the following:
- On Y12 NRPS (National Rolling Points Standing)
- Earn 85 Y12 Regional points this season
- Top 25% Y12 Regional Point Standings this season
- For international athletes or U.S. citizens living outside the country: top 40% finish in a Y14 event at an International School Circuit.
Y14 Qualification Path
Born from 2011-2014, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & one of the following:
- On Y14 NRPS
- Earn 160 Y14 Regional points this season
- Top 25% Y14 Regional Point Standings this season
- For international athletes or U.S. citizens living outside the country: top 40% finish in a Y14 event at an International School Circuit.
See the USFA Athlete Handbook, pages page 57 (RYC points) and page 60 (SYC points)
RYC POINTS FORMULA: Using the formula below, RYC tournaments will award points to all participants: (# entries – place + 1) /# entries) x 100 points
When there is a mixed-gender Youth competition, points are not separated out by gender.
SYC POINTS FORMULA: The Super Youth Circuit (SYC) competitions will award national points at .8 of the NAC/Championship points table to precisely the top 40 percent of the competitive field (rounded up to the next higher integer) to a maximum of 64th place.
For example: Field = 100 fencers therefore 40 fencers earn national points
Field = 103 fencers therefore 42 fencers earn national points (40 percent =4.2 Field = 200 fencers therefore 64 fencers earn national points (40 percent = 80 but awarding points is capped at 64th place)
In all SYC Youth events, 3 fencers must compete in order for points to be awarded.
Cadet (July Challenge)
Born from 2010-2013 & one of the following:
- On Cadet NRPS
- Top 50% on Y14 NRPS
- Earn 65 Junior Regional Points this season on Junior Regional Circuit Points
Earn 65 Cadet Regional Points this season on Cadet Regional Point Standings - Top 25% of Cadet Regional Point Standings this season
Junior (July Challenge)
Born from 2007-2013 & one of the following:
- On Junior NRPS
- On Cadet NRPS
- Top 25% on Y14 NRPS
- Earn 65 Junior Regional Points this season on Junior Regional Circuit Points
- Earn 65 Cadet Regional Points this season on Cadet Regional Point Standings
- Foreign athletes who are A or B
Division 1 Qualification Path
Born in 2011 or earlier, class A, B, or C, & meet one of the following:
- Be on the current Senior NRPS
- Be on the current Junior NRPS
- Top 24 current Cadet NRPS
- Top 16 2024-25 Division 1A Regional Point Standings
- Top 4 2024-25 Division II Regional Point Standings
- 2025 NCAA National Champion Individual Competitor
- Foreign athletes who are A or B
Division 1A Qualification Path
Born in 2011 or earlier, class A, B, C, D, E, or U, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & meet one of the following:
- On 2024-25 Div 1A ROC Regional Point Standings
- Top 8 2024-25 Division 2 ROC Regional Point Standings
Division 2 Qualification Path
Born in 2011 or earlier, class C, D, E, or U at the time of registration, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & meet one of the following:
- Top 25% of 2024-25 division qualifying competition
- On 2024-25 Div 1A ROC Regional Point Standings
- On 2024-25 Div 2 ROC Regional Point Standings
- Top 40% of any Division 2 NAC during the 2024-25 season
- Top 40% finish at an Adult or Adult Combined regional event.
Division 3 Qualification Path
Born in 2011 or earlier, class D, E, or U at the time of registration, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & meet one of the following:
- Top 25% of total D,E, or U fencers currently or 2024-25 of Division II Qualifying competition (if Div 2 and Div 3 are held together), or top 25% of Div III if held separately
- On Div 1A or Div 2 ROC Point Standings for 2024-25
- Qualified for Div 2 National Championship in the current season.
- Top 40% finish at an Adult or Adult Combined regional event.
Veteran Age Qualification Path
Meet the age eligibility requirements for their division – V40, V50, V60, V70+ and V80+ & meet one of the following:
- On Veteran NRPS
- On Veteran RPS
- Compete in any NAC
- Compete in any ROC
Compete in the current season Div 1 or Div 2 championship.
Check Your Standing
Visit our point standings pages to see where you are in the qualification process:
Petitioning for Entry
Fencers who are unable to qualify for an event at Summer Nationals and did not compete in their Divisional Qualifiers can submit a petition for entry. The petition deadline is May 17 and requires an additional $100 nonrefundable fee. If a fencer’s petition is denied, their event fee (and only their event fee) will be returned to them in full. The petition form can be found at this link.
Age Eligibility on the USA Fencing website.
For a nice, visual guide, take a look at this Piktochart on the USA Fencing website.
Being part of such a huge event, and fencing along Olympians (heck, just being in the same building with them!) should be of great pride, and the result of hard work and dedication for which each fencer deserves to be praised!
