Arcadia University to Launch NCAA Men's & Women's Fencing in 2027

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. and GLENSIDE, Pa. — Arcadia University will add varsity women’s and men’s fencing, marking the first fencing teams in school history and continuing the recent USA Fencing-led expansion of collegiate fencing. With this addition, Arcadia will become the 46th NCAA women’s fencing program and the 38th NCAA men’s fencing program.

Arcadia, located about 15 miles north of downtown Philadelphia, plans to begin competition in Fall 2027. A national coaching search is slated to begin this winter, with program-building to follow.

“This is terrific news for student‑athletes and for the sport,” says USA Fencing’s Director of Membership, Service & Growth Brad Suchorski. “Working side‑by‑side with Arcadia to map the path from concept to competition, we’re excited to help bring a new collegiate program online. In a year when parts of college athletics have contracted, adding roster spots in fencing is a win for access, community and the collegiate model.”

Arcadia’s launch comes as USA Fencing continues sustained, behind‑the‑scenes work with campus leaders to grow opportunities in the sport — from feasibility and facilities guidance to coach recruitment support — even as some other NCAA offerings have faced contraction. That collaborative effort, over a two-year period, helped build the foundation for Arcadia to enter the collegiate fencing landscape for the first time.

“Arcadia is very pleased to begin offering men’s and women’s fencing as varsity sports in the fall of 2027,” Associate Vice President of Athletics Brian Granata said. “The university has been quite supportive of our expansion as we have grown from 14 to 30 varsity sports over the last decade and a half. We believe in a broad-based approach to sport offerings and feel that fencing will be an appealing sport within our geographical footprint.”

Today’s news also follows last week’s announcement from Fairleigh Dickinson University, which will add men’s NCAA fencing beginning in the 2027–28 academic year. Together, these additions signal expanding opportunities for current and aspiring collegiate fencers.

What’s next at Arcadia

• Competition start: Fall 2027
• Coaching: National search to begin this winter
• Program status: First varsity fencing teams in Arcadia history (brand‑new to NCAA fencing)
• Junior Olympics college fair: Arcadia will send a representative to the Junior Olympics College Fair, giving prospective student-athletes a chance to meet school officials.

For prospective student‑athletes and families, Arcadia’s entry means more chances to wear school colors, pursue a degree, and compete on the national stage. For more information about Arcadia University and their academic programs go to https://www.arcadia.edu/. To learn more about Arcadia's athletics programs, go to https://arcadiaknights.com/.

To explore how your philanthropic support can help create and sustain collegiate fencing programs across the country, contact Meghan DeFord at m.deford@usafencing.org or 240-274-8363.