How to Qualify for the 2026 USA Fencing Division I National Championships

Updated: This post has been updated to reflect the requirements for the 2026 Division I National Championships in Richmond.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Their names are etched in fencing lore — so iconic that many fans know them by last name only: Zagunis. Westbrook. Hurley (both Courtney and Kelley). Stull. Prescod. Itkin. 

These fencing legends have one thing in common: their path to glory started at a Division I National Championship — the highest domestic medal available to members of USA Fencing. Many Division I National Champions have gone on to compete on Senior World Teams, win Senior World Championship Medals and even fence at the Olympic Games.

And here’s the inspiring part: Each April, any USA Fencing member who represents the United States can compete in the Division I National Championship — as long as they qualify. 

So how does a fencer qualify for this year’s edition? With the 2026 Division I National Championships & April North American Cup approaching fast, let’s review. 

And for those who qualify, we’ll see you April 24-27 in Richmond!

Here’s what the Athlete Handbook says:

Division I National Championships: The Div I National Championships, held in conjunction with the April NAC, are championships for fencers on the National Rolling Point Standings for Seniors, Juniors and the top Cadets. Competitors must be U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents. 

Fencers qualify for these Championships via the National Rolling Point Standings, top placements from the last Div IA and Div II National Championships and via modern pentathlon.

Athletes that have represented another country in the last three years at FIE level competitions (Veteran/ Senior/Junior and those athletes that represented another country in the Cadet World Championships) are not eligible to compete in a National Championship, unless the athlete has been officially approved by the FIE to represent the USA.

This event, along with other designated competitions, is part of the selection criteria for the Senior World Championship or Olympic Team.

Here’s what the Athlete Handbook (section 2.12.5) says:

Eligibility (age, classification, qualification path)

Fencers must be at least 13 years old on Jan. 1 in the year of the competition (see Table 2.5.1 for exceptions). Fencers must have a classification of “A”, “B”, or “C” at the entry deadline and be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.

Now that we know who is eligible to qualify lets review how to qualify for the Division 1 Championships.

This is from the Athlete Handbook (section 2.12.5):

Fencers must meet eligibility requirements AND at least one of the following requirements:

• Be on the current Senior National Rolling Point Standings (NRPS) at the regular fee entry deadline

• Be on the current Junior National Rolling Point Standings (NRPS) at the regular fee entry deadline 

• Be on the current Cadet National Rolling Point Standings (NRPS) at the regular fee entry deadline

• Placed in the top 8 in the 2024-25 season’s Division IA National Championships (held at the 2025 Summer Nationals in Milwaukee)

• Placed in the top 4 in the 2024-25 season’s Division II National Championships (held at the 2025 Summer Nationals in Milwaukee)

• Be in the top 4 of the current Veteran Combined National Rolling Points Standings (NRPS) at the regular fee deadline

• Be one of the 24 individual competitors who fences at the 2026 NCAA National Championships (held April 2026). Please note that if you qualify through this route you will need to email us at nationalevents@usafencing.org as we do not have a way of tracking NCAA results.

• For epee only: the top 3 (on Modern Pentathlon Point Standings) USA Fencing Modern Pentathlon fencers will be eligible to compete in the Division I epee events without qualifying by any other means. USA Modern Pentathlon fencers MUST be USA Fencing members.

To be on the National Rolling Point Standings (NRPS) for Senior, Junior or Cadet, a fencer must have earned points at one or more of the following tournaments: 

• 2025 March NAC (Cadet)

• 2025 Division I Championship/April NAC

• 2025 May SJCC

• 2025 July Challenge

• 2025 October NAC

• 2025 November NAC

• 2026 Junior Olympics

• 2026 January SJCC

• 2026 February NAC

Jan. 14, 2026: Priority Registration opens at 12:00pm ET (All events will be open except for Junior events. Priority fencers will have access to registration during priority window).

Jan. 28, 2026: Priority close/general registration opens at 12:00pm ET

Feb. 25, 2026: Regular fee deadline and qualification deadline. Last day to register under regular fees.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.: Last date to submit a petition for those not qualified but who want to petition for a spot at the Division I National Championship. It typically takes two-three weeks after submitting to receive a decision via email. Petition information will be posted on the Athlete Info page associated with the event. (For the 2026 DVI National Championship, that’s here.) If a fencer competed in a Divisional Qualifier, they are automatically not eligible to petition. 

Note: Our team will review all registrations on a rolling basis once registration opens.  Pending registrations submitted near the registration deadline will be reviewed after the regular-fee entry deadline.

Fencers who are unable to qualify for an event at the Division I National Championship and did not compete in their Divisional Qualifiers can submit a petition for entry.

All fencers with registrations that are listed as “denied” are able to fill out a petition as they have not qualified through any of the pathways. To petition, fencers must pay the $100 nonrefundable petition fee.

Remember, the $100 petition fee is not refundable, but if the petition is denied, the event fee (and only the event fee) will be refunded.

Petition link coming soon. Deadline to petition is February 27th, 2026, at 11:59pm.