MARCH 20 - 22, 2026

SoCal Swordfight 2026

SHERATON FAIRPLEX, POMONA, CA

Get ready for the most immersive and educational Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) event of the year! SoCal Swordfight 2026 brings together fighters, instructors, and enthusiasts from around the world for an unparalleled experience.

Whether you’re a dedicated martial artist, a passionate student eager to learn, or a vendor looking to connect with one of the most committed HEMA communities in North America, this is the event you’ve been preparing for. Join us and be part of a truly global celebration of skill, tradition, and camaraderie.

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SOCAL SWORDFIGHT 2026

Volunteer Today to be a bigger part of the action

SoCal Swordfight doesn't just happen - it's built by volunteers who make every match, workshop, and moment possible. Get hands-on experience, special perks, and become a part of our event!

Apply to be a volunteer

SOCAL SWORDFIGHT 2026

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

More About the Sheraton Fairplex

The Sheraton Fairplex Suites & Conference Center is situated on 543 acres of beautiful farmland, providing a unique and picturesque setting for our event.

With its convenient location and top-notch facilities, it's the perfect host for SoCal Swordfight 2025.

Address:
601 W McKinley Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768

Booking Your Room at the Sheraton Fairplex

We are past the date of our early booking window. Rooms may still be available at the Sheraton, but they will be booked without our discount.

Please visit their website to book your stay.

Please Call 1-888-627-8074 if you encounter any issues booking.

Parking

Parking for this year's event is $15 / Day. You can come in and out as much as you please. If you are staying at the hotel, and have paid for parking with your stay, your event parking fee is covered.

Advanced parking purchase details

McKinley’s Grille - On-Site Dining

Located within the Sheraton Hotel, you will find McKinley's Grille. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, McKinley's Grille offers a true farm-to-table experience. Dishes from the menu feature many fruits, vegetables and herbs that are grown right on the five acre organic farm at the Fairplex. Both sit-down and to-go breakfast, lunch and dinner options, and can be brought into the event.

McKinley's also offers lounge hours until 11 pm.

The Cyber Café

Daily food options will be available at the event at the Cyber Cafe, just inside the event entrance,  between 11 and 3. There will be an assortment  of food from salads, sandwiches and more.  

Things to to Nearby
Restaurants

Pomona and the surrounding area offer a diverse range of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets:

  1. McKinley's Grille (on-site): Farm-to-table cuisine featuring locally grown ingredients.
  2. Pomona Valley Mining Company: American cuisine with exceptional views.
  3. Coco Palm: Latin American dishes in a vibrant atmosphere.
  4. Gus's BBQ - Claremont: Delicious barbecue in a casual setting.
  5. Tutti Mangia: Upscale Italian dining experience.
  6. Tropical Mexico: Authentic Mexican cuisine, highly recommended by locals.

For a more extensive list of dining options, check out the restaurants near the Sheraton Fairplex on OpenTable.

Things to Do in Pomona
  1. Spadra Cemetery: A historic cemetery with interesting local lore.
  2. The Southern California Medical Museum: Explore the history of medicine in the region.
  3. Fairplex: Home to various events throughout the year, including the LA County Fair.
  4. American Museum of Ceramic Art: Showcasing a wide range of ceramic art.
  5. Pomona Fox Theater: A restored 1931 movie palace hosting concerts and events.
Southern California Attractions

Within a short drive from Pomona, you can experience some of Southern California's most popular attractions:

  1. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (Anaheim): World-famous theme parks, about 30 miles away.
  2. Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City): Movie-based theme park and working studio, approximately 40 miles away.
  3. Beaches: Santa Monica, Venice, and Long Beach are all within a 1-2 hour drive.
  4. Los Angeles attractions: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, and The Getty Center are all within an hour's drive.
  5. Mountain resorts: Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead are about 2 hours away, offering hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
  6. Joshua Tree National Park: Unique desert landscape, about 2 hours east.
  7. San Diego: Home to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and beautiful beaches, about 2 hours south.

For those looking to explore nature, consider hiking at Mount Rubidoux or Mount Baldy, both offering stunning views of the area (These are not really that close).

Remember, one of the great advantages of Pomona's location is its proximity to beaches, mountains, and desert landscapes, all within a 1-2 hour drive. This allows visitors to experience the diverse geography and attractions that Southern California has to offer.

Airports / Air Travel
Major Nearby Airports

For attendees traveling from out of town, there are several convenient airport options near the Sheraton Fairplex in Pomona:

LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT)

  • Distance: Approximately 12 miles from Pomona
  • Travel Time: About 20-25 minutes by car
  • This is the closest major airport to the event venue
  • Offers both domestic and international flights

John Wayne Airport (SNA)

  • Distance: Approximately 34 miles from Pomona
  • Travel Time: About 40-50 minutes by car
  • Located in Santa Ana, Orange County
  • Offers domestic and some international flights

Long Beach Airport (LGB)

  • Distance: Approximately 42 miles from Pomona
  • Travel Time: About 45-60 minutes by car
  • Primarily serves domestic flights

Bob Hope Airport (BUR)

  • Distance: Approximately 44 miles from Pomona
  • Travel Time: About 50-65 minutes by car
  • Located in Burbank
  • Serves domestic flights

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

  • Distance: Approximately 47 miles from Pomona
  • Travel Time: About 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic)
  • Major international hub with extensive domestic and international flight options

We recommend checking flight options to all these airports when planning your trip, as fares and schedules can vary significantly. Consider factors such as travel time to the venue and transportation costs when making your decision.

HERE'S WHAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS TO SAY ABOUT

SOCAL SWORDFIGHT

This year (2025) blew the rest out of the water. I'm always partial to more varied weapons tournaments being held, but Socal is the best event in the world at this point. I'll be happy to bring more of my members next year to participate!

— Damian RuizFireblood Combat

The scale of the event was very impressive. Running 10 rings at once, and with that size, everything was remarkably close to on-time

— Daniel PierceAtlanta Historical Fencing Academy

I loved being able to look across the tournament area and see all of the different bouts taking place at once. It was incredibly lively, and it is this event that told me I should become a serious fencer.

— Charlotte KellyAcademy of Arms

Overall spirit of chivalry, friendliness, enthusiasm

— Kate FreemanEinhorn Los Angeles

Lots of room! The location (Sheraton Fairplex) was a great improvement.

— Robin PriceLamh Bata Lann

The size of the event was mind breaking. You are a hub for HEMA globally and a chance to catch up with or make friends from the other side of the world. Please only keep growing!

— James RichelieuSan Diego Swordfighters

Well-organized, pretty much on time, the competitor level was high, the culture was respectful and inclusive. Lots of weapons events, fun experimental events, no weird soapboxes. Definitely the premier west coast tournament, if not the premier global tournament.

— Cody ShepherdMasterless Fencing

This is a massive event with lots of events and logistics. For the most part everything went smoothly! That was great!

— Andy PlymateBridge City Blades

Huge diversity of weapons and disciplines on display.

— Michael ChidesterHEMA Bookshelf & Wiktenauer