2026 BRITISH OPEN U14 CHAMPIONSHIPS

BF Events & Championships > 2026 British Open U14 Championships

Last updated: 23rd June 2026

The 2026 British Open U14 Championships will be held on the 4th-5th July 2026 as part of the British Open Championships weekend at EIS Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA.

 

The event weekend will also include:

 

Schedule

Saturday 4th July

Event Check in closes
U14 Women’s Sabre 13:00
U14 Mixed/Men’s Epee 13:00
U14 Women’s Foil 13:00

 

Sunday 5th July

Event Check in closes
U14 Mixed/Men’s Sabre 13:00
U14 Women’s Epee 13:00
U14 Mixed/Men’s Foil 13:00

Check in Information for U14:

  • Please go to the check in desk to sign in before the closes time above. This is in the main athletics hall by armory
  • Poules will be drawn and displayed online at 6pm the day before the competition.  Information will also be displayed at the venue.
  • Fencing can start a maximum of 10 mins before the official start time if all fencers for the competition are present at their piste.

Eligibility and Membership Level

The British Open U14 Championships is for all Compete licensed members of British Fencing, including those not eligible to compete for GBR and international visitors.

This is the first event of the U14 2026-27 domestic season.

A fencer is eligible for the 2026 U14 Open Championship if they are at least 10 years old on the day of the competition and were born in 2013 or later. 

Fencers turning 14 before 31st December 2026 are not eligible to enter.

Ranking Information

The British Open U14 Championships is nominated for U14 ranking points. The multiplier is 250.

Further information on the BF Ranking Schemes can be found at Rankings – BRITISH FENCING

Entry Process

Entries are open for the British Open Championships via the BF Events Platform

Entries open: 21st May 2026

Entry deadline: 25th June 2026, 12pm (midday). (Extended from 22nd June)

Entry fee: £74 per event

This is the first event of the U14 2026-27 domestic season.

A fencer is eligible for the 2026 U14 Open Championship if they are at least 10 years old on the day of the competition and were born in 2013 or later. 

Fencers turning 14 before 31st December 2026 are not eligible to enter.

Read the full age eligibility information here.

Entry Fee Support Scheme

Entry Fee Support Scheme: BF is mindful of the rising costs of attending fencing events and the potential barrier to participation this creates for some members of our community. As a result, BF is offering a limited number of free entries. These will be offered based on financial need, not on ability.  This scheme will cover 100% of the entry fee cost.

Applications must be completed per athlete. For multiple athletes from one household, please complete separate application forms.

Entry form deadline: Wednesday 3rd June, 5pm 

You will hear back by Friday 5th June 2026

 

Equipment

Equipment: All fencers must wear the correct kit as per British Fencing rules. This will include FIE chest protectors (m.25 4(c) ) and 800N sabre gloves (please see important reminder here: Sabre Gloves)

Masks with two rear safety systems ARE required for British Senior Championships – see further information from the Safety Committee here: Rear Safety Systems

Withdrawals and Refund

Fencers can withdraw up to 12noon the day before their competition using the online form, which will be added here.

Any fencer who has entered and does not present themselves to fence, except in a case of properly authenticated ‘force majeure’, will be penalised with a £250 fine. Their British Fencing membership is suspended until the payment of fine is received.

On the day withdrawals can be done via phone using Event team contact number which is available via Sport:80. Entered athletes will be emailed with further details closer to the event.

Events that are run by British Fencing are subject to the following refund policy:

Refunds requested up to 6 weeks before the original closing date will receive a full refund less the platform and card fees.

Refunds requested within the 6 week period before the original competition closing date will receive a 50% refund less the platform and card fees.

No refunds are permitted after the closing date.

Refunds should be requested by emailing [email protected]

Video Refereeing

We anticipate that video refereeing will be in place from the finals, which will take place on the two ‘finals’ pistes.

Media, Video and Photography

Please see this page for BF event media information.

Recording: The final of each weapon category will be recorded and uploaded to the BF YouTube channel as soon as possible after the final has ended.

Media:  Please note, there will be filming and photography at this event for BF purposes. If you do not give photography and filming permission for yourself or your athlete, please contact [email protected] before the event.

Volunteering: We couldn’t run our events without our valued volunteers, and the media team is always looking for people who have experience in or are interested in learning more about event media. Find out more here.

Photography Policy:  Photography and video using smartphones for personal use only (including coaching and social media) is permitted.

Please be mindful of the age of participants, and read our photography safeguarding policy: https://www.britishfencing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/8_photography_policy.pdf

‘Live streaming’ or broadcasting video in any way, from any device including smartphones, is not permitted.

Accreditation

Accreditation will be in place for access to the Field of Play (FoP) at the event. There will be no access to the Field of Play without an accreditation.

The deadline to apply for accreditation is Tuesday 23rd June 2026 at 5pm.

Coach Accreditation

There is a separate process for coaches based outside the UK who are supporting athletes representing GBR at domestic events. Please contact [email protected] for further information.

Before You Begin

To be eligible for accreditation, you must:

What Coach Accreditation provides:

  • Access to warm‑up and piste areas.
  • The ability to provide warm‑up lessons.
  • Access to the Field of Play (FoP) during Direct Elimination and Team Matches (where applicable).

Accreditation does not grant:

  • Access to the Field of Play during poules.
  • Access to the referees’ room, media areas, or the event organisers’ office (unless specifically invited).

Coaches must leave the Field of Play once bouts have concluded.

Your accreditation lanyard must be visible at all times. Event staff must be able to see it clearly.

In the event of a breach of BF’s Code of Conduct, accreditation may be revoked and any GBR Coach Licences may be suspended.

 

Media Accreditation

Anyone wanting to take photographs using any kind of professional or semi-pro camera equipment must apply for media accreditation in advance of the event – accreditation will not be available during competition. This means any kind of camera with a detachable lens, and/or using any kind of tripod or monopod.

Media accreditation is for still photography only – no pro or semi-pro video equipment is permitted.

NOTE: Any person taking photographs of any kind with any device must follow any instructions given by event staff.

 

Medical Accreditation

This process does not provide access to the Field of Play unless you are required for medical support. You will be issued with a lanyard so referees can recognise that you are supporting an athlete, should you be invited inside the Field of Play during a medical event. Floor staff and medical teams will also be able to identify that you are supporting a fencer with a medical condition.

To apply, you must:

  • Hold a BF Supporter Membership.
  • Ensure the athlete’s medical information is registered on the Sport:80 membership platform.
  • Be available to provide information to the onsite medical and safeguarding event team.
  • Be over 18 years old.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday 23rd June 2026 at 5pm.

 

Click here to find out more about Accreditation at BF events.

Access Passes

Supporter Access Pass

Supporter Access Passes are available for individuals who need access to the Field of Play (FoP) during Direct Elimination (DE). This route is not for coaches. All applicants must hold at least a BF Supporter membership.

Supporters must:

  • Be at least 16 years old on the date of the event.
  • Be a parent, guardian, clubmate, or club official.
  • Hold a minimum of a BF Supporter membership.

What the Supporter Access Pass allows:

Accredited supporters will receive an access pass, which must be worn at all times. The pass permits:

  • FoP access during DE rounds.
  • One supporter per athlete.

The Supporter Access Pass does not permit entry to:

  • The FoP during poules.
  • The referees’ room.
  • Media areas.
  • The event organisers’ office (unless specifically invited).
  • Any training areas.
  • Warm‑up zones or warm‑up activity.

Supporters must leave the FoP once bouts have finished. Event staff must be able to see your pass and lanyard at all times.

Passes may be revoked, and membership suspended, if the BF Code of Conduct is breached.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday 23rd June 2026 at 5pm.

 

Click here to find out more about Access Passes at BF events.

General information

Shop: Leon Paul will have a stand at the venue throughout the weekend.

Welfare: There will be a dedicated welfare officer at the event who will be clearly visible throughout. All welfare issues that arise at the event must be reported to the welfare officer present.

Sustainability: As part of BF’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our sport, no single-use plastic bottles will be permitted on the field of play. We hope that the community will support efforts in this area and ensure that everyone brings re-useable bottles to the event.

Prayer Room: There will be a prayer room available at the venue for all three days. Please ask at reception or speak to a member of the team and they will direct you.

Disabilities: BF recognises that many disabilities are hidden and participants in competitions may need additional support throughout the event. Any disability information that you provide in your membership profile (provided that you have given permission to share) will be passed to the organising team and a member of the event welfare team will get in touch to discuss how we can help.

Alternatively you can contact us in advance either by emailing the events team directly [email protected], or the BF Lead Safeguarding Officer, ([email protected]).

Finally, you can ask speak to a member of the onsite team at check-in. Please note the earlier you raise any additional support needs, the better able we are to make reasonable accommodations.

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