ORLANDO, Fla. – The 2023-24 fencing season will kick off with USA Fencing bringing the October North American Cup to Orlando.
From Oct. 26–29, the Orange County Convention Center will be buzzing with the sounds of blades meeting blades. For fencers in Division I, the highest tournament classification, the stakes are even higher: This tournament offers valuable points toward qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games.
“We’re thrilled to launch the 2023-2024 season with this event,” says Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing. “This event isn’t just a showcase of world-class fencing talent: it’s an opportunity for families to come together in a city that offers something for everyone.”
Jason Siegel, president & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, is looking forward to welcoming USA Fencing to the city for the first time.
“We are so proud to partner with USA Fencing, in collaboration with the Orange County Convention Center, Visit Orlando, Orange County, and our local hotel partners, as we prepare to host the North American Cup,” he says. “This is the first time the sports commission has had the opportunity to work with USA Fencing and we are confident that their elite athletes, coaches, and families will have an incredibly positive experience while they are visiting and competing.”
The tournament will feature competitions in Division I (the highest, most competitive division), Division II, Cadet (17 and under), and Para (also known as wheelchair fencing). Among the competitors, 16 Olympians and Paralympians are expected to participate.
Organizers are expecting 2,245 competitors from 45 states in Orlando—plus thousands more coaches, family members, and supporters. The youngest fencer is just 10 years old, while the oldest is still competing at 76. According to a US Fencing press release, admission to the event will be free.
