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Fencing Veteran World Championships Coming to Daytona Beach this October

03/01/2023, 10:15am CST
By Bryan Wendell

USA Fencing has won the right to host the FIE (International Fencing Federation) world championships for the globe’s best fencers age 50 and older.


The competition will take place in sunny Daytona Beach, Fla.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Get ready for sun, sand and some elite competition featuring the globe’s top Veteran fencers.

From Oct. 11–16, 2023, the United States will welcome the world to the 2023 Veteran Fencing World Championships in Daytona Beach. The picturesque city on the Atlantic coast of Florida is known for its family friendly boardwalk, can’t-miss eateries and the Daytona International Speedway, which hosts the Daytona 500 NASCAR race each February. 

The competition, which will feature the best fencers age 50 and older from more than 50 nations, will be the first FIE (International Fencing Federation) event held in the United States since the pandemic began. 

“There’s no more passionate and devoted group of fencers than Veterans, and we’re delighted to welcome the top Veteran fencers from all over the globe” says USA Fencing CEO Phil Andrews. “Planning an international tournament of this magnitude is no small feat, but we’re up to the challenge. We look forward to collaborating with the FIE, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department to ensure these athletes arrive safely and are treated to a world-class experience.” 

In many ways, this tournament is five years in the making. Fans of the sport will remember that in 2018, the FIE awarded the 2021 Vet Worlds to the United States. That event was scheduled for Oct. 8–13, 2021, in Daytona Beach. 

Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, the event was first postponed and later canceled due to mandatory quarantine periods and other regulations in place at the time that would’ve made it impossible for fencers to travel to the United States and back home.

The Veteran Fencing World Championships returned in full force in 2022 in Zadar, Croatia, where a roster of 72 Americans won a table-topping 19 medals, including seven golds.

Team USA will look to repeat that dominance on home sand this October at the Ocean Center, Daytona Beach’s convention center, while hosting the world’s exceptional Veteran fencing community.

It is worth noting that this is an FIE event, therefore FIE rules apply. For example, this means that the Vet-80 event that we cherish in the USA will not be contested. Still, USA Fencing encourages those who might not be able to compete to come and be part of this rare opportunity to celebrate Veteran fencing in our own back yard.

We’ll share more details, including the official event website, hotel booking link and info about the qualification series, when available.

Team USA roster selections will be finalized after the 2023 Summer Nationals in Phoenix, which serve as the national championships for our Veterans.

“The Veterans Committee looks forward to the opportunity to show the world the strength and energy of our community,” says Valerie Asher, chair of the USA Fencing Veterans Committee. “Please help us make this an amazing event — make a donation, volunteer and come to cheer!”

Fast Facts

  • Tournament Name: 2023 Veteran Fencing World Championships

  • Dates: Oct. 11–16, 2023

  • Location: Ocean Center, 101 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118

  • Closest International Airports:

    • Daytona Beach (DAB), 5 miles/8 km

    • Sanford (SFB), 46 miles/74 km

    • Orlando (MCO), 75 miles/120 km

    • Jacksonville (JAX), 103 miles/165 km

    • Miami (MIA), 261 miles/420 km

A Note to Athletes Planning to Attend

If you’re a Veteran fencer from abroad planning to compete at the 2023 Vet Worlds, we encourage you to receive your ESTA or Visa as appropriate as soon as possible. Delegations are encouraged to make this their highest priority.

The ESTA or VWP may be used by the following nations except where an individual has visited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen. You may also not use the VWP if you are also a dual national of PRK, IRI, Iraq, Sudan or Syria. You may also not use the VWP if you have a criminal record.

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lichenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei and the United Kingdom.

Further information: Visa Waiver Program (state.gov)

If you do need a visa, please urgently apply.

To apply you need to fill out the DS-160 form, here: Nonimmigrant Visa - Instructions Page (state.gov) which provides guidance here: DS-160: Frequently Asked Questions (state.gov)

Once you have applied, please note your DS-160 number, you will then need to pay the visa fee to the US Government, following the instructions.

After applying, you should select the earliest available appointment date (even if beyond the date of travel), then if needed can re-enter the scheduling system and select the "Request Expedite" option. If this still does not result in a satisfactory appointment date, please reach out to us.

Though it is not required to have a visa invitation letter for the interview process, we are happy to provide one, in order to provide this or any other assistance.

If you need help, please email Tanner Gonzales.


Feel free to download and share the official tournament logo to spread the word!

Tag(s): Updates