Milwaukee Welcomes World’s Largest Fencing Tournament to Baird Center

MILWAUKEE — Under bright June skies in The Beer Garden located in Deer District, civic leaders, NBA star power and a hometown Olympic fencer officially welcomed the 2025 USA Fencing National Championships & July Challenge — better known as Summer Nationals — to Milwaukee. The 10-day, free-to-attend tournament begins Saturday, June 28, inside the newly expanded Baird Center.

Peggy Williams-Smith, president & CEO of Visit Milwaukee and Sports Milwaukee, opened the program by highlighting that Summer Nationals is the first event inside the Baird Center’s expansion, which brings the center’s total square footage to 1.3 million. The venue now accommodates 99 metal strips and 96 fencing medal events, ready for 6,124 fencers and thousands more visiting families, coaches, vendors, officials and fencing fans. In total, more than 11,000 attendees are expected at the tournament — bringing an anticipated economic impact of $10.7 million. 

Marty Brooks, president & CEO of the Wisconsin Center District, underscored the Baird Center’s growing role in sports tourism and assured attendees that fans, athletes and officials alike can expect a seamless, spectator-friendly experience.

Peter Feigin, president of the Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum, noted that Deer District is built for moments exactly like this - where basketball energy meets the exhilaration of Olympic and Paralympic sport. 

That segue introduced Jeff Weber, Bucks minority owner and lifelong saber fencer. Weber, who competes July 2 in the Veteran-60 men’s saber event, described how fencing sharpened the quick decision-making skills that serve him well on the strip and in the boardroom — proof, he said, that the sport welcomes everyone from age 7 to 80-plus.

Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing, invited the region to witness competition that blends athleticism, strategy and pageantry. He emphasized fencing’s unique status as a lifelong, inclusive sport and noted that Milwaukee spectators will see tomorrow’s Olympians before they become household names.

Speaking of Olympians, the program concluded with a photo-friendly demonstration featuring hometown Olympian Margherita Guzzi Vincenti. Guzzi Vincenti, who trains at the Ataba Fencing Club in Hartland, showcased the precision that took her to the Paris 2024 Games, drawing cheers from the crowd.

• Dates: Saturday, June 28 – Monday, July 7
• Location: Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
• Admission: Free for all spectators
• Daily Schedule: Doors open at 8 a.m.; medal rounds run throughout the day
• What to Expect: Olympians, youth prodigies and veteran fencers competing on 99 metal fencing strips — no prior fencing knowledge required, only curiosity and a camera for action shots

More information: www.usafencing.org/summernationals