USA Fencing’s Summer Nationals in Milwaukee Wins ‘Best Amateur Sports Event’ at 2025 SportsTravel Awards
Share:
by Bryan Wendell
Reader-voted honor recognizes a 10-day, 6,000‑athlete celebration inside the newly expanded Baird Center.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — There’s a new champion off the strip. On Oct. 15, USA Fencing’s 2025 National Championships & July Challenge — known to many as Summer Nationals — was named Best Amateur Sports Event at the 2025 SportsTravel Awards, presented during TEAMS ’25 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
The recognition caps a landmark summer for the world’s largest fencing tournament. Over 10 days in Milwaukee, more than 6,000 athletes competed as the event welcomed about 11,000 attendees and generated an estimated $10.7 million in economic impact for the city — all inside the Baird Center’s newly expanded North Building, where Summer Nationals was the first event in the northern expansion wing.
Staged June 28–July 7, the event brought together youth, collegiate-bound, senior and veteran fencers for a festival of competition under one roof, with free admission that invites new fans to discover the sport.
“This award belongs to our athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers, staff and partners in Milwaukee who helped us deliver a welcoming, world‑class experience,” says Phil Andrews, USA Fencing CEO. “Summer Nationals shows how our sport can fill a city with energy — and inspire newcomers to pick up a foil, epee or saber.”
Glen Hollingsworth, USA Fencing’s Director of Events, agrees.
"From load‑in to the last medal, our collaboration with the Wisconsin Center District and Visit Milwaukee made everything click,” he says. “The expanded Baird Center gave us the space and flexibility to serve thousands of competitors and families with ease.”
Other nominees for Best Amateur Sports Event (category finalists):
- 2024 BSC Softball World Series / Visit Columbus, GA, Georgia
- 2024 Defense Soap Super 32 Challenge / Visit Greensboro, North Carolina
- 2025 Triple Crown Baseball Omaha SlumpBuster / Visit Omaha, Nebraska
- 2025 World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships / Alachua County, Florida
- 2025 USA Hockey World Para Ice Hockey Championship / Visit Buffalo Niagara, New York
Last year’s winner: 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Swimming (Indianapolis).
The SportsTravel Awards are nominated and voted on by readers of SportsTravel, underscoring the support of participants, families and fans who turned out in Milwaukee and online.
For the full slate of 2025 SportsTravel Award honorees across all categories, visit the SportsTravel Awards page.