2026 Summer Nationals & July Challenge
Jun 27, 2026 - Jul 6, 2026 | Portland, OR
The 2026 Summer Nationals & Jully Challenge will be hosted in Portland, OR this year. This event will feature Epee, Foil, and Saber fencers who are eligible & qualified to compete in Y10, Y12, Y14, Division III, Division II, Division IA, Senior Team, Vet Age, Vet Team, Division I, Cadet, & Junior categories. For more information on eligibility please reference our Athlete Handbook. This event will be hosted in the Oregon Convention Center and is free to the public. We look forward to seeing you in Portland!
Location: Oregon Convention Center
Address: 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
Competition Location: Exhibit Halls A-E
Parking: For parking information please visit the convention center website
Spot Hero: For additional affordable parking near all events check out our partner Spot Hero
Registration Opens: March 18, 2026: 12:00pm ET
Regular Fee & Qualification Deadline: May 6th, 2026
Petition Deadline: May 14th, 2026
Late Entry Fee Deadline: 5 p.m. local time the night before the event
Withdrawal Deadline: May 27th, 2026 (eligible for 50% event fee refund)
Classification Change Deadline: June 24th, 2026
WITHDRAW USING THE WITHDRAWAL FORM HERE!
Please allow us up to 4-5 business days for us to respond. We will honor the withdrawal from the date the form was submitted
50% Event Fee Refund Withdrawal Deadline: May 27th, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
- Tournament and Administration fees are nonrefundable
- Those who withdraw after May 27th, are not eligible for refunds
- 50% event fee refunds are processed 4-6 weeks after the tournament
If a fencer plans to not compete in their registered event, they should withdraw from the event using our Withdrawal form.
Should a fencer fail to appear for any event without sending an email by 5 PM local time of the day before, the fencer will be subject to a fine of $250 per event that the individual fails to appear for AND suspension of membership privileges, including participation in all USA Fencing sanctioned tournaments, until the applicable fine(s) is/are paid.
Total Registration Prices: Deadline May 6, 11:59 PM
| One Event | $225 |
| Two Events | $320 |
| Three Events | $415 |
| Team Event | $190 |
Total Registration Prices: Late Fees Post May 6, Deadline
| One Event | $675 |
| Two Events | $960 |
| Three Events | $1,245 |
| Team Event | $570 |
In certain cases, a member of USA Fencing in good standing may be permitted to qualify for National Championships by petition. Petitions must be completed before May 14, 2026, and require a $100 non-refundable fee to be reviewed. If a fencer’s petition is denied, their event fee (and only their event fee) will be returned to them in full.
Book Your Hotel
Book Here, opens in a new tabBook your hotel room with USA Fencing's official provider, GroupHousing, and receive the best available rates!
FencingTime
Visit Site, opens in a new tabLive results, seeding, strip assignments and more can be found on FencingTime Live!
Officials Information
Visit PageWorking as a member of the cadre?
For all Officials Information: Travel, Expenses, Credentials, etc.
Professional Fencing Portraits at Summer Nationals
Reserve Your Session, opens in a new tabNathan Bingle Photography will be on-site July 1–6, offering professional portrait sessions for fencers of all ages. Sessions run 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. A $25 reservation fee holds your spot, and you only pay for the images you love. Print packages start at $35; digital images from $50. Medalists receive a waived booking fee and 10% discount.
This is Nathan Bingle Photography's only fencing event in 2026. Reserve before you arrive — slots fill fast.
Bag Storage
Reserve Now, opens in a new tabTired of lugging your fencing bag to your hotel and back day after day? This year at summer nationals, USA Fencing is offering secure, convenient in-venue storage for your fencing bag! Bags will be stored in room C126
The one-time fee of $40 covers you for the entire tournament.
USA Fencing Shop
Shop Now, opens in a new tabCheck out the latest USA Fencing apparel!
Preview upcoming event branded gear, check out the Macron and Azza store, shop last chance apparel from previous NAC's!
Athlete Handbook
View HereUSA Fencing Rulebook
Download Here, opens in a new tabVolunteer
Sign Up Here!, opens in a new tab
Saturday, June 27
4:30–5:30 p.m.
All-Member Meeting
Hear directly from USA Fencing leadership and ask questions about the organization's direction and priorities.
Room B1126 p.m.
Board of Directors Meeting
The USA Fencing Board of Directors convenes for its regular meeting.
Room B111-112Sunday, June 28
No events scheduled
Monday, June 29
3–4 p.m.
SharperMind Training Presents: Athlete Panel with Olympians
Athlete Panel presented by SharperMind Training. Panelists will include Olympians Hadley Hussisian and Jason Pryor, with more panelists TBA. Hosted by Corwin Duncan, mental coach with SharperMind Training.Register Here to attend in person or over zoom
Room C121-1224–5 p.m.
WFencing: Disrupting Shame Cycles in Fencing
Not about blame—about understanding how adult influence shapes athlete confidence and identity.
Join Sabrina Shapiro, CMPC and Zoya Zackavec, LCSW to explore guilt vs. shame and healthier ways to support athletes. Facilitated by Jen Oldham, MS.
Room B117-1195–6 p.m.
USA Fencing Club Business Forum & Social Hour
Hear from fellow club owners to learn practical strategies on strengthening operations, growing membership and building culture. After the session, club owners and staff are invited to gather across the street at the Metropolitan Tavern.
Room C121-1225–6 p.m.
The Parent and Fencer Perspective
Greg and Hadley Husisian share what the college recruiting journey looks like from the family's side — honest, firsthand and practical.
Room B110Tuesday, June 30
4–5 p.m.
Recruiting 101
Everything families need to know about college fencing recruiting — eligibility windows, the recruiting calendar and how to connect with coaches.
Room B117-1194–5 p.m.
Fencing Ventures
Exploring entrepreneurship and business opportunities within the fencing community.
Room C121-1226–7:30 p.m.
Parafencing Coaches Clinic
A technical clinic for coaches working with parafencing athletes.
Room A105-1066:30 p.m.
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
USA Fencing inducts the Class of 2026 into its Hall of Fame. Cocktail hour begins at 5; dinner at 6:30.
Buy your ticketWednesday, July 1
6:45-7:45 a.m.
Referee Continuing Education (RCE) Program Seminars at Summer Nationals & July Challenge
Epee Seminar: This seminar will focus on the analysis and interpretation of complex epee situations through extensive video review, including: Simple corps à corps, Corps à corps to avoid being hit, Leaving the piste to avoid being hit, Jostling and related penalties, and Current interpretations and international standards for difficult calls.
Presenter: Amgad Badawi
Room C121-12211 a.m.
Dwight Global Info Session
Learn how Dwight Global Online School supports student-athletes balancing competitive fencing with rigorous academics.
Room B117-119
Register here4:30–6 p.m.
College Fair Session 1
Meet representatives from college fencing programs across the country. A must for any fencer thinking about competing in college. Open to Class of 2026, 2027 and 2028. Online registration is required.
Register in College Connect6:30–8 p.m.
College Fair Session 2
Meet representatives from college fencing programs across the country. A must for any fencer thinking about competing in college. Open to Class of 2026, 2027 and 2028. Online registration is required.
Register in College ConnectThursday, July 2
6:45-7:45 a.m.
Referee Continuing Education (RCE) Program Seminars at Summer Nationals & July Challenge
Epee Seminar: This seminar will focus on the analysis and interpretation of complex epee situations through extensive video review, including: Simple corps à corps, Corps à corps to avoid being hit, Leaving the piste to avoid being hit, Jostling and related penalties, and Current interpretations and international standards for difficult calls.
Presenter: Amgad Badawi
Room C121-1229:30 a.m.
Recruiting 101
Everything families need to know about college fencing recruiting — eligibility windows, the recruiting calendar and how to connect with coaches.
Room B117-11911 a.m.
Dwight Global Info Session
Learn how Dwight Global Online School supports student-athletes balancing competitive fencing with rigorous academics.
Room B117-119
Register here11 a.m.
Neurofencing — Supriya Nair
This study investigates the physiology and biomechanics of a fencer's movement. Details at www.neurofencing.com.
Room C121-1221–2:30 p.m.
How Top Fencers Win College Admissions: An Insider Perspective
A former D1 fencer at Duke shares his journey — from the strip to college admissions — alongside a former Johns Hopkins admissions officer. Hear how he turned his sport into a competitive edge, plus a grade-by-grade roadmap and live Q&A. Hosted by InGenius Prep.
Room B117-119
Register here4 p.m.
Dwight Global Info Session
Learn how Dwight Global Online School supports student-athletes balancing competitive fencing with rigorous academics.
Room B117-119
Register here5–6 p.m.
Coaches Committee Listening Tour
Share your thoughts on coach development, certification and support with the USA Fencing Coaches Committee.
Room B110
Register to attendFriday, July 3
6:45-7:45 a.m.
Referee Continuing Education (RCE) Program Seminars at Summer Nationals & July Challenge
Sabre Seminar: This seminar will provide in-depth analysis of modern saber conventions and priority calls, including: Attack No/Attack actions, Attack No/Reprise of the Attack, Attack in Preparation, Bell guard-to-the-mask calls, Beat Attack versus Parry-Riposte situations, Consistency in applying current international interpretations.
Presenter: Samet Arslan
Room C121-1229 a.m.
Men's Foil Skills Clinic
Train alongside Olympians, Senior World Team members and national team coaches in a two-hour hands-on clinic. Open to Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet and Junior fencers of any gender. Space limited to 60 fencers. Registrations are non-refundable.
Room A105-106 and A109-107
Register here11:30 a.m.
Women's Saber Skills Clinic
Train alongside Olympians, Senior World Team members and national team coaches in a two-hour hands-on clinic. Open to Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet and Junior fencers of any gender. Space limited to 60 fencers. Registrations are non-refundable.Room A105-106 and A109-107
2 p.m.
Women's Epee Skills Clinic
Train alongside Olympians, Senior World Team members and national team coaches in a two-hour hands-on clinic. Open to Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet and Junior fencers of any gender. Space limited to 60 fencers. Registrations are non-refundable.Room A105-106 and A109-107
3–4:30 p.m.
How Top Fencers Win College Admissions: An Insider Perspective
A former D1 fencer at Duke shares his journey — from the strip to college admissions — alongside a former Johns Hopkins admissions officer. Hear how he turned his sport into a competitive edge, plus a grade-by-grade roadmap and live Q&A. Hosted by InGenius Prep.
Room B117-119
Register here4 p.m.
SharperMind Training Presents: The Biggest Challenge for Youth Fencers
Session will outline the factors that cause the most stress for young fencers, some ways to mitigate that, and how you as a parent can support your fencer through their most challenging moments.
Room C121-122
Register here to attend in person or over zoom5 p.m.
Member Town Hall
An open forum with USA Fencing leadership. All members welcome — bring your questions.
Room C121-122Saturday, July 4
6:45-7:45 a.m.
Referee Continuing Education (RCE) Program Seminars at Summer Nationals & July Challenge
Sabre Seminar: This seminar will provide in-depth analysis of modern saber conventions and priority calls, including: Attack No/Attack actions, Attack No/Reprise of the Attack, Attack in Preparation, Bell guard-to-the-mask calls, Beat Attack versus Parry-Riposte situations, Consistency in applying current international interpretations.
Presenter: Samet Arslan
Room C121-12210 a.m.
Women's Foil Skills Clinic
Train alongside Olympians, Senior World Team members and national team coaches in a two-hour hands-on clinic. Open to Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet and Junior fencers of any gender. Space limited to 60 fencers. Registrations are non-refundable.
Room A105-106 and A109-107Sunday, July 5
10 a.m.
WS Youth U14 & Under Skills Clinic
Train alongside Olympians, Senior World Team members and national team coaches in a two-hour hands-on clinic. Open to Y10, Y12 and Y14 fencers of any gender. Space limited to 60 fencers. Registrations are non-refundable.5 p.m.
College Recruiting Prep for Pre-High School Athletes
It's never too early to start. This session walks younger fencers and their families through the long recruiting runway ahead.
Room C121-1225–6 p.m.
Coaches Committee Listening Tour
Share your thoughts on coach development, certification and support with the USA Fencing Coaches Committee.
Room B110
Register to attendMonday, July 6
No events scheduled