MARCH 20-22, 2026

SoCal Swordfight 2026

SHERATON FAIRPLEX, POMONA, CA

SoCal Swordfight 2026 returns to the Sheraton Fairplex in Pomona, California, after the record-breaking success of 2025 that drew over 1,200 participants from 32+ states and 13+ countries. This year’s event continues to set the standard as the world’s largest Historical European Martial Arts gathering, featuring enhanced facilities, world-class instruction, and the most competitive tournament fields in HEMA history.

The 2026 event promises an even more comprehensive experience with over 75 instructors from around the globe, multiple tournaments across various weapon disciplines, and improved food options over last year!

Attendees will enjoy dedicated learning spaces, state-of-the-art lecture halls, sparring area & storage areas, and enhanced lounge spaces for networking and socializing.

SOCAL SWORDFIGHT 2026

REGISTRATION OPTIONS - Find Your Perfect Pass

Whether you’re competing in tournaments, learning new techniques, supporting a friend, or exploring HEMA for the first time, we’ve designed registration options to match your event goals. Each pass provides different levels of access to classes, competitions, and event activities.

Full Event Registration

Complete access to the entire SoCal Swordfight experience

What’s Included:
βœ… Entry to Venue (All 3 Days)
βœ… Access to All Standard Classes & Workshops
βœ… Tournament Registration Eligibility (fees apply separately)
βœ… Antique Weapons Display Access
βœ… HEMA Arcade Participation
βœ… Free Sparring Area Access
βœ… Secure Gear Storage
βœ… Vendor Hall Access
βœ… All Exhibits & Demonstrations
❌ Spectator-Only Classes (designed for non-practitioners)

Perfect For: Active HEMA practitioners, competitors, and serious students looking for comprehensive access to all training opportunities and tournament competition.

Parental consent required for participants under 18

SPECTATOR REGISTRATION

Perfect for supporters, family, and newcomers to HEMA

Available Options:

  • Full Weekend Pass: Complete access to all three days including Sunday’s championship finals
  • Single Day Pass: Access to one day of your choice (Sunday pass includes tournament finals)

What’s Included:
βœ… Entry to Venue
βœ… Antique Weapons Display Access
βœ… Vendor Hall Access
βœ… All Exhibits & Demonstrations
βœ… Spectator-Only Classes & Presentations
❌ Hands-On Classes or Workshops
❌ Tournament Registration
❌ HEMA Arcade Activities
❌ Free Sparring Access
❌ Gear Storage Access

Perfect For: Family members, friends supporting competitors, newcomers exploring HEMA, and anyone who wants to experience the event atmosphere without hands-on participation.

U18 FULL EVENT REGISTRATION (AGES 13-17)

Complete youth access with age-appropriate programming

What’s Included:
βœ… Entry to Venue (All 3 Days)
βœ… All Age-Appropriate Classes & Workshops
βœ… U18 Tournament Registration Eligibility (fees apply separately)
βœ… Antique Weapons Display Access
βœ… HEMA Arcade Participation
βœ… Supervised Free Sparring Access
βœ… Secure Gear Storage
βœ… Vendor Hall Access
βœ… All Exhibits & Demonstrations

Perfect For: Teenage HEMA practitioners looking for comprehensive training and competition opportunities in age-appropriate divisions.

Requirements: Parental consent and liability waiver required. Parent/guardian contact information must be provided.

U18 FULL EVENT REGISTRATION (AGES 9-12)

Supervised youth participation with modified programming

What’s Included:
βœ… Entry to Venue (All 3 Days)
βœ… Age-Appropriate Classes & Activities
βœ… Modified Tournament Eligibility (select divisions)
βœ… Antique Weapons Display Access (supervised)
βœ… Youth HEMA Activities
βœ… Supervised Area Access
βœ… Vendor Hall Access (with supervision)
βœ… Family-Friendly Demonstrations

Perfect For: Young martial arts enthusiasts who want hands-on experience with enhanced supervision and age-appropriate programming.

Requirements: Parental consent, liability waiver, and enhanced supervision guidelines. Parent/guardian must be reachable during event hours.

CHILDREN UNDER 9

Complimentary admission with paying adult.

What’s Included:
βœ… Free Entry (with paying adult)
βœ… Spectator Areas Access
βœ… Family-Friendly Demonstrations
βœ… Select Vendor Areas (supervised)
❌ Independent Access to Classes
❌ Exhibits Without Supervision
❌ Tournament Participation
❌ Unaccompanied Activities

Perfect For: Families with young children who want to introduce them to the HEMA community in a safe, supervised environment.

Requirements: Must be accompanied by registered adult at all times. Adult is responsible for child’s safety and behavior throughout the event.

EVENT FINALS TICKET

Championship Sunday Experience

Available for: Sunday, March 22, 2026 (Entry after 4:30 PM)

What’s Included:
βœ… Sunday Evening Entry (after 4:30 PM)
βœ… All Tournament Finals Access
βœ… Vendor Hall Access
βœ… Closing Ceremonies
βœ… Awards Presentations
❌ Classes, Workshops, or Training Sessions
❌ Free Sparring Access
❌ Full-Day Activities

Perfect For: Those who want to witness the culmination of tournament competition and experience the excitement of championship matches without attending the full event.

Sheraton Fairplex

In 2026 SoCal Swordfight will return to th 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 2026

Address: 601 W McKinley Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768

Book Before February 2, 2026 and Save

Thursday Evening Reception

Date: Thursday, March 19th
Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Sheraton Fairplex, Pomona, CA

This event is free to attend for all SoCal Swordfight 2026 participants and spectators. No purchase necessary, however it is important for us to have an accurate head-count prior to the event, so please, add the reception to your registration.

Learn More & RSVP

Parking Passes

Parking passes are available for pre-sale up until February 14, 2026.

Passes will cost $30.

This is a $15 discount as parking at SoCal Swordfight 2026 will be at a cost of $15 / day, payable upon arrival to the Sheraton Fairplex. If you are stying at the hotel, your parking fees paid for your stay will cover you for SoCal Swordfight.

Purchase Your Parking Pass

SOCAL SWORDFIGHT 2026

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND OPTIONS

Registration Process

First, you’ll need to register each attendee individually. As you begin, choose the registration type that aligns with the activities you plan to participate in. If you opt for Full Event Registration, you’ll be prompted to select the specific tournaments you want to enter. The system will display only those tournaments that are appropriate for your age and registration type, making it easy to find the right fit.

Once you've made your selections, review your choices on the cart page. If everything looks correct, click the "Check Out" button to proceed. You’ll then fill out a registration form with essential details, including your name, contact information, and any club or school affiliation. Additionally, you’ll need to sign the Release and Waiver of Liability Agreement to ensure a safe environment for all participants.

If you are registering for a minor and are their parent or legal guardian, simply enter their name in the registration form. The waiver will automatically adjust to request parental consent once you input their date of birth.

After completing the registration form and signing the waiver, press the "Submit" button, followed by the "Checkout" button to proceed to payment. Once you finalize your payment, you’ll receive an email receipt confirming your registration, along with another email granting you electronic access to your tickets.

If you encounter any issues during this process, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. You can connect with us through the chat button on our website or email us at info@socalswordfight.com.

Tournament Registration

Once you select your registration type, and press "Add to Cart" you will be asked to select the tournaments you want to compete in.

Tournament registration is available after purchasing a Full Event Registration or U18 Full Event Registration. You will only be shown the tournaments that are available with your registration type.

Each tournament has an additional fee of $25 - $40.

PARKING PASSES

You will be asked if you would like to pre-purchase a weekend parking pass for $30 during the checkout process.

This is a $15 discount as parking at SoCal Swordfight 2026 will be at a cost of $15 / day, payable upon arrival to the Sheraton Fairplex. If you are stying at the hotel, your parking fees paid for your stay will cover you for SoCal Swordfight.

MERCH

SoCal Swordfight 2026 and SoCal Swordfight merch are available on the site, and can be purchased with your event registration or independently.

This year's items will be fulfilled print-on-demand and delivered to you prior to the event.

As we get closer to the event, online sales of merchandise will be turned off. You will be able to purchase a selection of this year's best sellers at the event.

THURSDAY NIGHT RECEPTION

We will be hosting a welcome reception on Thursday evening (March 19, 2026), and we'd love for you to join us. This receptions is available at no additional costs, though there will be a cash bar. You will be asked during check-out to add the reception to your cart, at no cost, or with a donation, this allows us to get a more accurate head-count to make sure we have hors devours for everyone.

HEMA SCORECARD

Access real-time tournament information, including rules, schedules, pools, and results, through HEMA Scorecard. Stay informed and engaged throughout the event!

Launch HEMA Scorecard