A Simpler Path Through the Sport: Inside USA Fencing’s New Points and Events Structure

Before we dig in, two definitions. You’ll see both terms throughout this article, so it’s worth getting them straight up front.

• The Legacy points system is the structure we use today. It isn’t going anywhere. Through at least the 2028-29 season, it remains the system of record for team selection and for the Rolling Points Standings that determine international squad spots. We’ll keep publishing it right alongside the Trial points list.
• The Trial points system is the unified points list this article describes. It takes effect Aug. 1, 2026, for the Cadet, Junior and Division I categories, and it runs for a two-year trial. During that window it governs domestic ranking, seeding and event eligibility for sanctioned tournaments, and nothing else. It does not affect team selection for international competition.

The short version: the Trial system decides where you’re seeded and which tier you fence at home. The Legacy system still decides who makes the teams sent to represent Team USA internationally. Both will be published side by side for the full trial period.

Let’s start with the change that drove everything else: how our largest national events are run.

If you’ve been to a recent NAC or Championship tournament, you’ve felt it. Field sizes have grown along with the sport. Competitive days at our biggest events have stretched to 11 or 12 hours. Venues are tight, referees are stretched, and the athlete experience can suffer when the day runs that long.

So the first change is structural. In the Cadet, Junior and Division I categories, national events will now adopt a dynamic two-tier format. When total registrations cross 168 fencers, the competition automatically splits into two separate events: Elite and National. The Elite tier is a smaller, concentrated field of the highest-ranked athletes. The National tier is a separate, meaningful national-level field where rising fencers compete for breakthroughs, earn points and climb the ladder.

This split prevents venue bottlenecks, shortens competitive days, makes scheduling more predictable, and keeps field sizes manageable for referees and organizers. It also creates a skill-appropriate environment at the top — qualified Elite athletes compete only in the Elite tier at that tournament, which means top fencers face the concentrated, high-level competition they need to prepare for the international stage.

The split is the headline. But it doesn’t work without one more change.

To decide who goes where — and to make that decision fairly and transparently — we need better, more comprehensive points data than the current system produces. The existing structure has different points lists for different events, separate paths for different age groups, and a lot of charts that make it hard to answer the basic question, “Where do I stand?”

That’s where the points restructure comes in. Beginning Aug. 1, 2026, the Trial points system replaces the current segmented structure with a single, unified points list for each age category (Cadet, Junior and Division I). Every result from a sanctioned tournament — from a local tournament in your region to an FIE World Cup — feeds into the same list. Your best six results count. The fencer with the most points sits at No. 1.

From day one, the Trial list does three jobs: it sets domestic rankings, it seeds tournaments, and it identifies which fencers compete in the Elite and National events. What it does not do, at least not yet, is decide Team Points Standings or team selection. Those stay on the Legacy points system until at least the Olympic and Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028, and the Trial system would only take over team selection if it proves out over the two-year trial. It’s important not to change the team selection system mid-quad, and running both lists in parallel gives fencers and coaches a way to compare them and share feedback.

That’s the headline — now here are the details.

The new structure organizes domestic and international fencing into five tiers, with points scaled to reflect the level of competition at each.

The ladder is designed to be just that, a ladder. Strong results at the local level get you onto the regional radar. Strong regional results put you in the National conversation. Strong National finishes put you in line for Elite. And Elite fencers compete for the points totals that can qualify them for international competition, such as World Cups and World Championships.

During the trial period, the Trial points list is used for domestic ranking, seeding and event eligibility only. The Legacy points system stays in place and keeps doing its current jobs. It continues to produce both the Team Points Standings and the Rolling Points Standings, and those Legacy lists, using the current points tables, are what determine selection for designated Cadet, Junior and Senior international events through at least the 2028-29 season. They remain separate, Legacy-managed lists. In short, USA Fencing will publish the Legacy lists right alongside the Trial points list.

When total registrations for a Cadet, Junior or Division I event exceed 168 fencers, the event splits into two separate competitions: Elite and National.

A few important notes:

• The split only happens above 168 entries. At 168 fencers or fewer, the event runs as a single competition, classified as Elite and using the Elite points table. That single, unsplit event can include up to 168 fencers.
• When the field does split, the Elite event is capped at 112 fencers and the National event holds up to 224. The 112-fencer cap on Elite applies only when a split happens.
• Qualified Elite fencers compete only in the Elite event. They cannot also enter the National event at the same NAC.
• Fencers can still participate in more localized tiers when entering separate events. An Elite fencer who wants to enter a Regional or Local tournament can do so. However, if a fencer is ranked high enough for Elite at a national tournament, they must compete in the Elite category — they cannot opt to fence in the National category.

To use the most extreme example, let's say an event has 169 registered fencers. In that scenario, we'd hold an Elite event with 112 fencers and a National event with 57.

The Division I Elite event uses a "pipeline-first" approach so the strongest developing athletes get a path into the top level of domestic competition. Spots are allocated in this order:

• First, the top 16 Cadets, by Cadet points.
• Next, the top 24 Juniors, by Junior points.
• The remaining spots are filled by the top-ranked Division I points holders.

This order holds whether the event runs as a single competition (up to 168 fencers) or splits into Elite (capped at 112) and National. In both cases, 16 Cadet spots and 24 Junior spots are reserved before the rest of the field is set, which guarantees that top young fencers face the highest level of domestic competition available to them.

So how much would each kind of finish be worth at the Division I level? Here is the round-by-round points breakdown across all five tiers. (Junior values are 80% of these; Cadet values are 60% of these — more on that below.)

Local values shown reflect a standard event. Local point totals will scale by event strength, with a maximum of 75 for a win at a top-grouped event and a minimum of 25 for a win at the smallest local event. The scaling is built on USA Fencing’s existing event grouping framework, the same system that determines athlete ratings (A, B, C and so on). Strength scaling applies only at the local level. Point values at the Regional, National, Elite and International tiers are fixed for the trial.

If you study the table above, you’ll notice something deliberate: the point values overlap between tiers. A win at a National event (200 points) earns more than a T32 finish at an Elite event (135 points). A win at a strong local event (which could be worth 75 points based on the strength multiplier) can exceed a deeper finish at a regional. This isn’t a quirk of the math. It’s intentional.

The overlap is what makes the ladder work. If a National win were worth less than just showing up at an Elite event, no one would ever move up. If a Local win were worth less than a Regional first-round exit, the local tier would be a dead end. The system is designed so that strong performance at a lower tier can earn you a place at the next one — and so that a quiet stretch at a higher tier can open the door for someone climbing up.

Two things to keep in mind when you look at any single number:

1. Your ranking is built on six results, not one. A single National win doesn’t vault someone past an established Elite fencer. The points list adds up your six best results, which means consistency matters more than any one outcome. The overlaps look more dramatic at the individual round level than they do in practice once six results are combined.
2. Movement between tiers is real but measured. Internal modeling done during the working group’s review suggests approximately eight athletes will be promoted or relegated per NAC under the new system. That’s enough to keep the Elite field competitive and dynamic without creating churn that disrupts athletes who have earned their place.

This is also one of the areas the trial period is designed to evaluate. If movement is too aggressive or too slow, the system can be adjusted before it touches anything tied to international team selection.

Junior and Cadet point values are calculated as percentages of the Senior/Division I tables.

The same proportions apply down the table at every round.

A few mechanics to keep in mind:

One list, six results. Each age category — Cadet, Junior and Division I — has a single rolling points list. Your total is the sum of your six best individual results, regardless of where those results came from.

Rolling updates. Points and rankings update on a one-year rolling basis as results come in. Regional and National results already flow through our registration system, so those are streamlined, and local results will be automated as part of the rollout. International results are replaced in chronological order, the same way they are handled today. Points roll off (or “expire”) after a year.

Trickle down counts. A result from a higher category can count toward your six best results in a lower one. A Division I result can count on a Junior fencer’s list, and both Division I and Junior results can count on a Cadet’s list. Scaling applies as you move down: one level at 100%, two levels at 80%. (The full detail is in the FAQ below.)

No starting from scratch. Fencers currently competing at the regional or national level will transition into the new system without losing the ability to participate at that same level. Existing regional and national points will be mapped into the new points system. The same goes for fencers returning from extended leaves — there will be formal procedures so they aren’t reset to zero.

This is important.

The Trial points list will be used for:

• Domestic rankings within Cadet, Junior, and Division I categories
• Tournament seeding
• Eligibility for the Elite category at NACs and Championships
• Eligibility to advance through the ladder system from Local → Regional → National → Elite

The Trial points list will not be used for:

• Domestic rankings within Youth, Para, and Veteran categories
• World (Vet, Senior, Junior, Cadet) Team selection during the trial period
• Rolling Points Standings used to select fencers for designated Cadet, Junior & Senior international events
• Team Points Standings until at least the 2028-29 season

World Team selection will continue to use the existing processes through the trial window. This is intentional. It gives the new system time to prove out before it touches anything tied to international team selection, and it preserves a parallel tool for comparison.

The Trial points system rolls out for the Cadet, Junior and Division I categories beginning Aug. 1, 2026, for a trial period of two years.

During the trial window, there will be regular periods of review and feedback. National Coaches, Parents Council, and the Athlete Council are part of that review process by design. If something isn’t working as intended, the system can be adjusted.

This includes:

• Talking with the National Coaches to make sure we are selecting the strongest international teams and squads that we can.
• Evaluating mobility between Elite and National to ensure that there is enough space to move up without it being unfairly easy to fall down.
• Assessing growth at the Regional level nationwide, not just in major fencing hubs.
• Analyzing growth at the local level.

Para, Veteran and Youth categories are not part of this trial at all. Their event formats, their points tables and their team selection all stay exactly as they are today. 

The reasoning is twofold: these events don’t face the same field-size pressures, and the competitive journey of a Veteran fencer doesn’t mirror that of the younger age groups, so the same ladder doesn’t fit them right now. These categories could move to the new system in future years after additional evaluation, but for now nothing changes for them, including how their World Teams are selected.

So why all this change in the first place?

Growth. Fencing in the United States is growing. National field sizes have grown along with it. Without changes to the format, NACs and Championships hit a ceiling on venue capacity, schedule length, athlete experience and referee availability.

Improved tournament experience. The split into national/elite will create a more sustainable length of day for a fencer. Our larger epee/foil events that get flighted or use the two-pool format can take 11-12 hours. The smaller fields of elite and national will run significantly faster.

Clarity. The current points structure has evolved into a highly segmented system. New competitive fencers and their families have a hard time understanding how it works. One unified points list per age category — with a clear ladder from Local to International — is easier to explain, easier to navigate and easier to plan around.

Local growth. The new structure is designed to make local competition more meaningful. With local results feeding into the same points list as everything else, and with scaled point values that reward stronger local events, there’s a real incentive to host and enter local tournaments. Our target is a 30% increase in sanctioned local event participation. That means more meaningful fencing competitions closer to home.

Strategic alignment. This change implements priorities from USA Fencing’s 2024-28 Strategic Plan, including a refreshed points, ratings and rankings structure across every level of the sport. This restructure was also a core recommendation of the Events Review Group, and you can find our release of their full report from April 2023 here.

The working group identified specific metrics for evaluating the trial:

• Event growth. A 30% increase in sanctioned local event participation, measured by total registrations.
• Points list stability. Ranking variance of fewer than five positions between the new and existing systems for most fencers, and fewer than three positions for the Top 12.
• Member satisfaction. Flat or improved satisfaction scores on National Event Surveys, and a decrease in points list and qualification inquiries relative to the 2025-26 season.

You’re invited to a webinar at noon ET on June 11 where we’ll give an overview of the new structure and answer your questions live. If you aren’t able to attend, we encourage you to register anyway so you can receive a recording of the webinar to watch on demand. Register for the webinar.

A change of this size doesn’t happen without a working group willing to put in real time on hard questions. The new structure reflects months of meetings, modeling, debate and compromise. Thanks to:

• Brandon Rochelle, Tournament Committee Chair
• Damien Lehfeldt, Tournament Committee Board Liaison
• Sean Shumate PLY, Tournament Committee Referee Commission Liaison
• Ralf Bissdorf OLY, National Coach
• Andrey Geva, representing large clubs
• Ari Simmons, Athlete Council representative
• Will Chang, Parent Council representative
• Glen Hollingsworth, USA Fencing Director of Events
• Tournament Committee members: Maggie Dull, Nathan Anderson, Alan Geller, Jennifer Salmon, Laura Johnson, Richard Weiss, David Blake, Dan Berke, Adam Rodney (Athlete), David Willette (Athlete) and Peter Souders (Athlete)

Thanks also to the Athlete Council, USA Fencing’s National Coaches, the USA Fencing Board of Directors, and the many members who shared feedback in the February Board meeting and the months since. The version that’s rolling out is materially different (and better) because of that input.

When does this take effect? 

Aug. 1, 2026, for the Cadet, Junior and Division I categories.

Who came up with this system? Who reviewed it?

This wasn’t a quick decision. The Tournament Committee developed and refined the framework over several years. Along the way it was reviewed by the Athlete Council, the Coaches Council, the Parents Council and our National Coaches, and a dedicated working group was seated to address the concerns raised at the February 2026 Board meeting. The USA Fencing Board of Directors approved the final proposal at its May 30, 2026, meeting.

Will I lose my current points or ranking?

No. Existing fencers transition into the new structure and will continue to compete with similarly ranked fencers.

How will the transition work for the first 2026-27 national events?
Because fencers made 2025-26 competition decisions under the existing points structure, USA Fencing will use a transition process that preserves reliance on the current system. For the initial 2026-27 events, total points and ranking will first be based on results from the 2025-26 National Event season, with points assigned for finishing placements according to the new published points tables.

If fewer than 112 registered fencers are available from that list, remaining Elite spots will be filled using a supplemental transition order based on existing 2025-26 national-level results that fencers reasonably understood to be relevant at the time. For example, in a Division I event, after the Division I list is exhausted, age-eligible fencers may be considered based on Junior national points, then Cadet national points, with any remaining ties resolved under existing national seeding procedures.

2025-26 regional results will not be retroactively used to disadvantage fencers who made competition decisions before the new system was announced. Once the new system is active, 2026-27 results will count under the new rolling points structure and will replace Legacy results as they roll off.

What happens if an Elite-qualified fencer withdraws at a National Tournament?

The fencers competing in the Elite and National divisions will be pre-determined as check-in times for the events are posted for each NAC. When registering, a fencer will indicate if they are willing to be moved from the National to the Elite division if there is a withdrawal.

Will this change how athletes are selected for Cadet, Junior and Senior international competitions?

No, at least not yet. The current selection process will continue to use the existing processes during the trial period. The Trial points list won’t be used until at least the 2028-29 season. In addition, the Legacy Rolling Points Standings, along with the Team Points Standings where applicable, will be used to select fencers for designated Cadet, Junior & Senior international events.

Given that events may be divided into Elite and National tiers, how will the existing processes (those set forth in the 2025-26 Athlete Handbook) be used for Team Points Standings during the trial period?

Team Points Standings are calculated using the Legacy points table, with only the top 32 finishers earning team points. When an event splits into Elite and National, those team points are awarded to the top 32 in the Elite category. The Trial points list determines who competes in the Elite versus the National field, but it has no role in how team points are earned.

To keep this clear, the Legacy list used for Team Points Standings will be published alongside the Trial points list. The Trial list will be clearly labeled “Does Not Apply to Team Points Standings / Under Development For Testing Period,” so the operative list for team selection is unambiguous for stakeholders, including NCAA programs and athletes competing for international spots during the testing period.

What happens if my event has fewer than 168 fencers? 

It runs as a single competition, and the Elite points tables will be used to award points based on performance. The Elite/National split only happens when total registrations exceed 168.

Can I enter both the Elite and National event at the same NAC?

No. Fencers who qualify for the Elite category compete in the Elite event only. You can, however, enter a Regional or Local tournament during a different weekend if you’re eligible.

How do Junior and Cadet points compare to Division I/Senior points?

Junior points are 80% of the Division I values across the board. Cadet points are 60% of the Division I values. So a win at a Junior National event earns 160 points (80% of 200), and a win at a Cadet National event earns 120 points (60% of 200).

Can a Division I or Junior result count toward my Cadet ranking?

Yes. Trickle down from higher categories is permitted as part of your six best results. The scaling depends on how many levels down the result moves: one level at 100%, two levels at 80%.

For a Junior fencer, a Division I result counts at 100%. For a Cadet fencer, a Junior result counts at 100% (one level down) and a Division I result counts at 80% (two levels down). The 80% Division I figure is a larger share than Cadets receive today, but it is still a slight reduction, so that Cadets who fence up two age groups don’t become uncatchable in the standings.

Example: A fencer wins a Division I National event and earns 200 points on the Division I list. That result counts for 200 points on their Junior list and 160 points (80%) on their Cadet list.

What about Veteran, Para and Youth fencing?

Those categories will remain on their current systems for the 2026-27 season. We’ll evaluate moving them to the new system in future years. To be clear, results in Para, Veteran, and Youth events will not count towards the unified Cadet/Junior/Division I list. These categories are not part of the trial in any way, including team selection. Veteran, Para and Youth World Teams continue to be selected exactly as they are today.

Will we still use letter ratings?

New letter ratings are an important milestone for many fencers, especially those just starting out. Fencers will continue to earn ratings using the existing ratings chart as an additional metric of skill.

How will local event strength be measured?

Local point values scale based on event grouping — the same system USA Fencing currently uses to award athlete ratings. Stronger local events award more points. A standard local win is 50 points, with a maximum of 75 and a minimum of 25.

Where can I see the full points tables?

Full points tables for every age category will be published in the coming weeks, ahead of Summer Nationals.

Where will this information be shared in full?

The Athlete Handbook for the 2026-2027 season will have all the details of the new system and qualification criteria for championship events like Junior Olympics and Summer Nationals.

How will my current points from the 2025-26 season map to the new system? Will I have to start over?

No, you will not start from scratch. We recognize that fencers planned their 2025-26 competition schedules without knowing these changes were coming, which means you may not have attended certain ROCs or RJCCs that you would have otherwise prioritized.

To ensure the transition is fair and does not disrupt the work you put in, your existing national points, but not regional points, will be mapped over to preserve your standing as we enter the 2026-27 season.

Here is how the transition will work:

• Initial Seeding: Your existing National results from the 2025-26 season will be carried over “as is” with the same point values to the new unified points list. This ensures your initial ranking, seeding, and eligibility for the Elite/National tiers are protected when the new season begins on Aug. 1, 2026.
• Regional Points: Regional points from 25-26 will not be “mapped over” given that fencers were unaware that 25-26 regional results could impact 26-27 national seeding and event eligibility.
• The "Roll Off": Because the points list operates on a rolling basis, your mapped 2025-26 results will naturally expire. As they roll off, they will be replaced by the new results you earn competing under the new system in 2026-27.

It is important to remember that the Legacy points system will still be active and published alongside the Trial points system. The Trial points system has no impact on Team or International Squad Selection. And other than seeding at Cadet, Junior and Division I Elite/National events, it has no impact for at least two years and will hinge on whether the Trial system achieves the goals and performance indicators.

How will points be updated during the season?

On a one-year rolling basis. Regional and National results already flow through our registration system. Local result automation is part of the rollout by the beginning of the 2026-2027 season.

What if something isn’t working?

That’s what the two-year trial is for. There will be regular review periods built in, and the Athlete Council and National Coaches are part of the feedback process. The system is designed to adapt to the realities of fencers using the new system.

What’s still being finalized?

A change of this size has a few open items, and in the spirit of transparency, here’s where we are on each:

• Regional and local eligibility by region. Whether regional and local points will be restricted based on a fencer’s home region — or whether fencers can earn points by traveling to events in other regions — is still being finalized. We’ll publish guidance in the coming weeks.
• The full points tables for every age category and weapon. These are in production and will be published ahead of Summer Nationals so that members can see exactly what each round of each event is worth.
• Impact on event sizes and referee staffing. We don’t yet have firm estimates on how field sizes will shift under the new system, particularly at the regional level. Many regionals are already capped on entries, so the impact in those cases is limited. We’ll continue to monitor and share what we learn. But NAC event capacity increases slightly in the new system: with a current cap of 315 fencers at NAC events, the new system has a total capacity of 336 fencers, adding 21 additional spots (112 Elite + 224 National).
• Procedures for transitioning existing points to the new system. Existing results will be transferred into the new points table and will be available for review as the system is implemented.
• Procedures for fencers returning from extended leave. Points roll off of the unified ranking list after one year. However, we understand that life happens and sometimes athletes take a break from the sport. A framework for extended leaves will exist — fencers won’t have to start from scratch — but the specific procedures are still being formalized and will be available by Summer Nationals.
• International fencers' participation. How international (foreign) fencers factor into the points list and Elite/National placement is still under consideration and will be communicated prior to registration opening.
• Elite field selection details. The core pipeline is set: top 16 Cadets, top 24 Juniors, then top Division I points holders. A few details are still being worked out at the Tournament Committee level, including how a reserved Cadet or Junior pipeline spot is handled when that fencer already qualifies on the Division I list. These will be finalized ahead of registration.

Whom do I contact with questions? Email information@usafencing.org with specific questions about points, eligibility or the new format. We’re tracking inquiries closely as part of how we measure the success of the rollout.