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.
SOCAL SWORDFIGHT 2026
Instructors and Classes
At SoCal Swordfight 2026, we're proud to offer an extensive array of classes led by some of the most respected names in HEMA and related disciplines. Our new venue allows us to provide an even more comprehensive learning experience, with dedicated spaces designed to enhance your educational journey.
Historical European Martial Arts
Tournaments
SoCal Swordfight 2026 will host our largest and most competitive tournament lineup yet, drawing fighters from across the globe to compete in 27 unique events and divisions. With inclusive categories for all skill levels—Open, URG, and U18—plus enhanced facilities and an undisclosed experimental tournament (and perhaps more surprises), this year’s experience will set a new benchmark for HEMA competition.
URG Steel Longsword Tournaments
URG Rapier & Dagger Tournaments
U18 Steel Longsword Tournament
U18 - Single Rapier Tournament
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!
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:
- McKinley's Grille (on-site): Farm-to-table cuisine featuring locally grown ingredients.
- Pomona Valley Mining Company: American cuisine with exceptional views.
- Coco Palm: Latin American dishes in a vibrant atmosphere.
- Gus's BBQ - Claremont: Delicious barbecue in a casual setting.
- Tutti Mangia: Upscale Italian dining experience.
- 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
- Spadra Cemetery: A historic cemetery with interesting local lore.
- The Southern California Medical Museum: Explore the history of medicine in the region.
- Fairplex: Home to various events throughout the year, including the LA County Fair.
- American Museum of Ceramic Art: Showcasing a wide range of ceramic art.
- 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:
- Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (Anaheim): World-famous theme parks, about 30 miles away.
- Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City): Movie-based theme park and working studio, approximately 40 miles away.
- Beaches: Santa Monica, Venice, and Long Beach are all within a 1-2 hour drive.
- Los Angeles attractions: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, and The Getty Center are all within an hour's drive.
- Mountain resorts: Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead are about 2 hours away, offering hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
- Joshua Tree National Park: Unique desert landscape, about 2 hours east.
- 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
- 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
- Distance: Approximately 42 miles from Pomona
- Travel Time: About 45-60 minutes by car
- Primarily serves domestic flights
- 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.
SoCal Swordfight Merch
SoCal Swordfight 2026 Official Jersey
SoCal Swordfight 2026 Official Hoodie
SoCal Swordfight 2026 Official Zipup
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