USA Fencing to Bring Summer Nationals, the World's Largest Fencing Tournament, to Salt Lake City in 2027

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by Bryan Wendell

The scene at the October 2025 North American Cup at the Salt Palace Convention Center

More than 6,000 fencers ages 7 to 89 will gather at the Salt Palace Convention Center July 2-11 for 10 days of competition expected to generate an estimated $10 million in economic impact. 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Fencing will hold its 2027 Summer Nationals in Salt Lake City, bringing the largest fencing tournament in the world to one of the country's premier sports destinations.

Summer Nationals will run July 2-11, 2027, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City. The event draws more than 6,000 fencers from nearly every state, with competitors as young as 7 and as experienced as 89 competing for national championships across 10 days of competition.

Summer Nationals is known as a “festival of fencing,” because it also brings together U.S. Olympians and Olympic hopefuls for training camps ahead of the 2027 FIE Fencing World Championships, set for July 20-28 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Those championships will be a critical step toward qualification for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

The competition is expected to generate an estimated $8.4 million in economic impact for the host city. Tens of thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and family members will fill Salt Lake City hotels, restaurants and shops for a week and a half, making Summer Nationals one of the largest sporting events the city will host in 2027.

"Few cities know how to welcome the world the way Salt Lake City does," says Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing. "There is Olympic history in this town, from the 2002 Winter Games to the 2034 Games on the horizon, and our members are going to feel that energy the moment they arrive. Summer Nationals is the heartbeat of our community. It is where a 7-year-old who just started their fencing journey competes under the same roof as an 89-year-old who has loved this sport for a lifetime. We can't wait to bring everyone together in Salt Lake City, and we hope you'll join us."

"From the 2002 Winter Games to 2034 and beyond, Utah's Olympic and Paralympic legacy continues to help fuel our momentum as The State of Sport," says Jeff Robbins, President and CEO of the Utah Sports Commission. "We look forward to welcoming the USA Fencing Summer Nationals to Utah and showcasing the experience and hospitality that have made our state a premier destination for major sporting events."

“Salt Lake is thrilled to welcome the world's largest fencing tournament to our destination," says Clay Partain, Chief Sports Officer with Sports Salt Lake. "We have built a fantastic relationship with USA Fencing over the years, and we are proud to continue supporting them as a world-class host for championship events. The Salt Palace Convention Center, hotels, restaurants, and entire hospitality community are fully prepared and eager to welcome these incredible athletes and their families back to the city."

USA Fencing is no stranger to Salt Lake City. Recent events in the city include the 2026 Absolute Fencing Gear FIE Sabre World Cup in January 2026 and the 2025 USA Fencing North American Cup in October 2025.

The competition is open to the public and free for spectators. Additional details, including the competition schedule and registration information, will be announced at usafencing.org.

About USA Fencing 

USA Fencing is the national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of fencing in the United States, dedicated to inspiring a lifetime enriched by fencing. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Fencing is recognized by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and World Abilitysport and serves more than 50,000 members and 750 clubs nationwide. For more information, visit usafencing.org.

About Utah Sports Commission

The Utah Sports Commission was created to be a catalyst in Utah's sport and Olympic & Paralympic legacy and to help enhance the state's economy, image, and quality of life through the attraction, promotion, and development of national and international sports. Since the 2002 Winter Games, The State of Sport has attracted over 1,200 events to Utah. The Sports Commission works closely with communities, sports entities, and organizations to provide event services ranging from bid process, on-site logistics, volunteer coordination, sponsorships and promotional opportunities, and other related services. It is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization and 501(c)(6) Utah Sports Commission Foundation, governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees consisting of statewide sports, business, community, and government leaders. For more information, visit UtahSportsCommission.com or follow @stateofsport on social media.