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National Governing Body · United States

USA Fencing

Fencing's U.S. governing body since 1891 — a record 45,000 members, 400+ events a year, and national teams picked purely on points.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
SportFencing
Founded22 April 1891, as the Amateur Fencers League of America
HeadquartersColorado Springs, Colorado
Members45,157 members · 752 affiliated clubs (2024–25 record)
LeadershipPhil Andrews, CEO (from 2022)
SelectionPoints-based — National Rolling Point Standings, published criteria

What is USA Fencing?

USA Fencing — legally the United States Fencing Association — is the national governing body for fencing in the United States, affiliated to the FIE and recognised under the Amateur Sports Act. It was founded on 22 April 1891 as the Amateur Fencers League of America, by New York fencers seeking independence from the AAU, and took its present name in 1981.[1] [2]

What does it govern?

It sanctions and oversees more than 400 events a year — North American Cups, regional events, the Summer Nationals and the Division I National Championships — licenses athletes, coaches, referees and armorers, issues the FIE and EFC international licences its members need to compete abroad, and runs the FenceSafe athlete-safety programme alongside parafencing, veteran, collegiate and high-school competition. Membership reached a record 45,157 across 752 clubs at the close of the 2024–25 season.[1] [3]

How does it select national teams?

By points, not by a single trial and not by discretion. USA Fencing publishes International Selection Criteria for each weapon and gender; athletes accumulate points at designated domestic events — North American Cups, Division I Nationals, Summer Nationals — and at designated international events including World Cups, Grands Prix and Zonals, each weighted by strength factor. The ranked list at the published cut-off produces the World Championship, Zonal and World Cup rosters. The team size varies by weapon and event, so the specific criteria document is the thing to read.[2] [3]

Why does it matter?

Because the whole American fencing record sits in one system: club affiliation, event sanctioning, the National Rolling Point Standings, the international licence and the team place. A ranking position in those standings is a dated, published, objectively derived statement of where a fencer sits nationally.[1] [2]

References

  1. USA Fencing — about. Accessed August 2026.
  2. USA Fencing — selection criteria. Accessed August 2026.
  3. USA Fencing — record membership at the close of 2024-25. Accessed August 2026.