What is Swiss Fencing?
Swiss Fencing is the national fencing federation of Switzerland. It describes itself as follows: “Swiss Fencing ist der nationale Dachverband und die zentrale Koordinationsstelle für den Fechtsport in der Schweiz.”[3] Its own page uses the historical name Schweizerischer Fechtverband, and the FIE lists it as “FEDERATION SUISSE D’ESCRIME”, at Talgutzentrum 27 in Ittigen near Bern.[4][1]
What does Swiss Fencing govern or do?
As the umbrella body, the federation states that it takes on “die strategische Verantwortung für die nachhaltige Entwicklung des Fechtsports in der Schweiz.”[4] It describes its role alongside Swiss Olympic in these words: “Als Partner von Swiss Olympic vernetzen und koordinieren wir Athlet*innen, Clubs, Funktionär*innen und Partner”.[4]
Its site names a national épée coach, lists selection tournaments (CNJ), links to the athlete funding of the Schweizer Sporthilfe and to the Swiss Olympic Academy, and a club finder.[3] It publishes its statutes and regulations, organisational chart, board and commissions.[3]
When was Swiss Fencing founded and where is it based?
The federation’s own page shows the year “1920” above the words “wurde der Schweizerische Fechtverband in Antwerpen gegründet.”[4] It adds that “Der Schweizerische Fechtverband war seit seiner Gründung bis heute ununterbrochen an allen Olympischen Spielen vertreten, mit Ausnahme der Jahre 1956 (Melbourne) und 1980 (Moskau).”[4]
The federation is based at the Haus des Sports, Talgut-Zentrum 27, 3063 Ittigen bei Bern.[3]
How is Swiss Fencing recognised?
International federation. The Fédération Internationale d’Escrime lists the Fédération Suisse d’Escrime in its directory, with Max Heinzer as president.[1] The FIE states that it has “156 affiliated Member Federations”, and lists five continental confederations that it recognises.[2]
Continental body. The FIE’s directory places the federation under the European Fencing Confederation, for which it gives 50 members.[1]
Olympic committee. The federation’s home page displays a “Swiss Olympic Member” logo linked to Swiss Olympic, and its own page calls it a “Partner von Swiss Olympic”.[3][4]
What does Swiss Fencing organise?
National circuits. The federation’s home page lists the national competitions of the 2026–27 season. They include CNJ selection tournaments at Lucerne/Littau (épée) on 12–13 September and at Morges (three weapons) on 26–27 September 2026, an épée CNJ selection tournament, the “Fechter-Challenge”, in Biel on 24–25 October, and a CN tournament in sabre and foil at Châtelaine, Geneva, on 31 October–1 November 2026.[3]
International events. The same page lists the Lausanne International Fencing Challenge, a U23 épée event of the EFC circuit, on 31 October–1 November 2026.[3]
Who are its members?
The federation’s members are clubs. Its own page gives the figure “53” “Mitgliedsclubs in der ganzen Schweiz”, as shown in October 2026.[4] Its site runs a club finder and a separate members’ area for clubs (Clubbereich).[3] Clubs named on its home page include the Bieler Fechtclub, the Fechtgesellschaft Luzern and the Cercle d’Escrime Morges.[3]
References
- FIE — European Fencing Confederation: confederation details and national federations (directory). Accessed 2026-10-17.
- FIE — About the FIE (member federations and continental confederations). Accessed 2026-10-17.
- Swiss Fencing — home page (address, calendar, logos, links). Accessed 2026-10-17.
- Swiss Fencing — Über Swiss Fencing. Accessed 2026-10-17.