Qualification is simpler to check under the new structure. Each Championship has a fixed point threshold on the Unified Points List. Once you meet it, you're qualified.

For Junior Olympics, the 2026-27 Athlete Handbook sets the thresholds at 125 points on the Cadet Unified list and 200 points on the Junior Unified list, as of the qualification deadline.

For this transition season, there's also a regional path into Junior Olympics: at least 120 regional points on the Cadet or Junior Regional Point Standings, earned between Dec. 10, 2025, and Aug. 1, 2026, counting your top two results. Fencers can also qualify through a divisional qualifier.

Fencers also can qualify by finishing in the top 40% at an IRC in their respective category.

Full qualification criteria for every Championship are in the 2026-27 Athlete Handbook.

Divisional qualifiers remain part of the pathway. They exist for Cadet and Junior (Junior Olympics) and for Y14, Div. II and Div. III (Summer Nationals), and they can't be run as mixed-gender events.

For Junior Olympics this season, every divisional qualifier must be fenced, and at least four fencers must register for it to be held. The number of qualifying spots scales with the size of the field:

• 4 to 8 fencers: 1 qualifier
• 9 to 16 fencers: 2 qualifiers
• 17 to 32 fencers: 4 qualifiers
• 33 or more fencers: 6 qualifiers

If you qualify through a divisional qualifier, you do not need to meet the minimum point threshold for that Championship. For the 2026-27 season, winning your divisional qualifier qualifies you for the event even if your points fall short.