2026 GB CUP ENTRY PROCESS

Entry process and initial details for the GB Cup, the ‘DEU Championships’, which will take place on the 26th April 2026. 

Updated 12.02.2026

The 2026 GB Cup, the ‘DEU Championships’, takes place at the EIS Sheffield on the 26th April 2026. The Championships weekend also includes the following events:

• British Senior and Team Championships
•  British Para Fencing Championships

Eligibility and Membership Criteria 

In reference to 2025, the GB Cup eligibility criteria has been refreshed. Further information can be found here. In line with the British Senior Championships, there is a window for eligible fencers at the top of the ranking list to enter, followed by open entry (where fencers meet the below requirements).

The eligibility requirements for 2026 are:

• Fencers must be listed on the intermediate rankings and hold a D, E or U rating. More info on the Ratings Scheme and eligibility can be found here.
• Fencers that have represented the Home Nations or GBR at any level are no longer excluded from entry (subject to above requirement).
• Compete level membership required.
• Where regions have planned qualifying events, the top two eligible fencers in each weapon will be invited.
• Priority entry will then be offered to fencers based on their intermediate ranking, after which entry will be open to all eligible fencers.

Entry Timeline 

• 9th March 2026 – Intermediate ranking lists to be used to invite top eligible fencers
• 9th March – 30th March 2026 –  Top two from regional qualifiers (where a region has run a qualifier) invited after events take place. (Places will be sent to the qualifiers from the London region after the qualifier)
• 1st- 12th April 2025 – Entry window for open entry (all eligible fencers are able to enter)

Qualification through Regional Qualifiers 

Regions and Home Nations will continue to run intermediate and DEU events that contribute to intermediate rankings or ratings which in turn will allow fencers to be eligible for the GB Cup.

The following regions are running a GB Cup qualifier:

• Eastern
• West Midlands

Regions may also accept recreational memberships to enter their GB Cup qualifier. If a fencer finishes in a qualifying position (top two eligible fencers) and has a recreational membership, BF will upgrade their membership to Compete level to allow entry to the GB Cup on the 26th April. The fencer will then be responsible for the payment of the Compete membership at the time of the next renewal.

Where fencers who hold a recreational membership are taking part in the qualifiers, they will not receive intermediate ranking points (the ability to gain ranking points and appear on BF Ranking lists is a Compete membership benefit). However, all Compete members taking part in the qualifier will be eligible for intermediate ranking points where regions send in their results to BF.

Eligible fencers in the first entry window (top 20 on the ranking list) who are also competing in their regional event can enter the GB Cup before their qualifier. If they finish in a qualifying position at the qualifier, the next eligible fencer will be invited as part of the regional qualification spaces.

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