Guide to British Fencing Competitions

Introduction to Competing

Within the UK there are a few different fencing competitions that you can enter, depending on your age and your ability. This guide intends to bring you up to speed on the different fencing categories.

1. British Fencing Ranking Competitions

British Fencing (BF) age groups are determined by the fencer’s age on January 1st of the relevant calendar year. These are the main fencing categories in the UK. The vast majority of competitions can be found and entered via Sport:80.

Guide to starting your sport:80.

What Age Category Am I in for British Fencing?

Category	Also Known As	Eligibility & Minimum Age
Under 14	U14	Under 14 on Jan 1st of that season. (Minimum age: 10)
Under 17	Cadets, U17	Under 17 on Jan 1st of that season. (Minimum age: 11)
Under 20	Juniors, U20	Under 20 on Jan 1st of that season. (Minimum age: 13)
Under 23	U23	Under 23 on Jan 1st of that season.
Seniors	Senior, Opens	Open to anyone aged 13 or older; no upper age limit.
Veterans	Vets	Fencers aged 40+. (Typically split into 40+, 50+, 60+, and 70+). This is usually ran by British Veterans Fencing (A seperate entity to British Fencing)

2. Ratings and the Ranking System

• • Rankings: National rankings are calculated using a fencer’s best results (usually their 6 results) across nominated fencing events. Points scale based on your final placement and the event’s “multiplier” (larger or stronger events award more points). Ranking lists will be created for each age group (Cadet, Juniors) and division (Seniors, GB Cup/Intermediate). 

  • Ratings: British Fencing categorizes competitive fencers using a rating system. Top-tier, highly experienced fencers hold A, B, or C ratings. Developing, intermediate, or unrated fencers hold D, E, or U ratings. Ratings will be held on Sport80.

3. Event Levels: GB Cup vs. Senior Events

What is the Difference Between GB Cup and Senior Events?

Navigating the competitive landscape is easier when you know which fencing events match your experience level:

• • The GB Cup League (Intermediates and Beginners): A national league specifically for intermediate fencers holding a C, D, E, or U rating. This league takes over from the DEU Series and Intermediate rankings from 1st September 2026. It gives grassroots fencers the thrill of a major British Championship event without having to face elite, top-ranked athletes. The season ends with a GB Cup Finals held during the same weekend as the British Fencing Closed Nationals in Sheffield. This is an ideal start point for Beginners. GB Cup Ranking Events will count towards both the intermediate and senior rankings.

  • Senior Events (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced/Elite): UK domestic senior ranking events can vary from ability from beginner friendly up to strong domestic events. It can be difficult to judge an event as a beginner, so asking club mates and coaches on the difficulty of the event prior to entering is strongly recommended. Some events will be more development focused and will have multiple. 

4. U14, U17 (Cadet) and U20 (Junior) BRC Events

What are Category A, B, and C BRC Fencing Competitions?

For fencers in the U14, Cadet (U17), and Junior (U20) categories, official national rankings are calculated using points earned at nominated British Ranking Competitions (BRCs). These events are tiered into Category A, B, and C based on the strength of the field, overall difficulty, and weighting toward national rankings.

BRC Category	Event Scope	Multiplier & Points Weighting	Best Suited For
Category A	Top-tier national events & National Championships	Highest (100% Weighting)	Essential for top rankings and GB international squad selection.
Category B	Secondary national opens & designated regional events	Moderate (approx. 60%–80% Weighting)	Consolidating ranking points against strong domestic opposition.
Category C	Regional development & entry-level ranking events	Lower (approx. 40%–50% Weighting)	Young fencers stepping up from regional series to national rankings.

How BRC Tiers Work in Practice

• • Points Multipliers: A higher category awards significantly more ranking points for the exact same finishing position. For example, finishing in the Top 16 at a Category A event earns substantially more points than a Top 16 finish at a Category C event.

  • GB Squad Selection: Fencers aiming to represent Great Britain internationally in Cadet (U17) or Junior (U20) age groups must prioritize Category A events. The British Fencing selection process places the heaviest weight on these top-tier results.

  • Competitive Pathway: Fencers moving up from youth series (like LPJS or regional circuits) typically start with Category C and B events to gain initial points and experience before tackling Category A competitions.

5. Youth Circuits & Regional Events (Non Ranking Events)

Before jumping into national ranking events, many young or new fencers develop their skills and gain confidence in regional series:

• • Leon Paul Junior Series (LPJS): The UK’s premier youth competition circuit. It hosts nationwide events designed to introduce young fencers to competitive formats in a highly organized but supportive setting. Events hosted around the UK. Entered via Sport80 or their website. Variety of age ranges (U10, U12, U14, U16)

  • Cambridge Sword Junior Series: A popular regional circuit offering a welcoming, developmental environment for young fencers to build competitive experience. Based in Cambridge. Entered via Sport80. Variety of age ranges (U10, U12, U14, U16).

  • Newham Youth Series: A well-regarded series focusing on youth development, providing vital early competitive practice before fencers step up to the national cadet or junior levels. Based in London. Entered via Sport80. Variety of age ranges (U10, U12, U14, U16).

  • Regional Events: There will be local regional events to you, such as Regional Championships, which are closed competitions that only fencers from the local area can enter. These tend to be more beginner friendly events. Entered via Sport80, some smaller events will be via their own websites or forms. 
  • British Youth Championships & Qualifiers: Each year there is a British Youth Championships run by British Fencing. Regions will have qualifying events, in which the top performing fencers from each age group will then attend the finals in Sheffield. Variety of age ranges (U12, U14, U16, U18). The U12 and U14 finals will count towards the U14 British rankings. 

6. British Fencing Membership & How to Register

You cannot simply show up to a tournament and sign up on the day. All British Fencing competitions require pre-registration.

• • BF Membership: You must hold an active “Compete” level British Fencing membership to enter official competitions. A “Starter” or “Recreational” membership will not be accepted. Instruction can be found on British Fencing Website.

  • Sport80 Platform: Almost all UK competitions are listed and entered through the official British Fencing portal at bf.sport80.com. You will need to create an account, link your BF membership, and enter events before the posted entry deadlines.