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

Wheelchair fencing events are open events (not restricted to only classified athletes). BF is aware that not everyone who wants to fence sitting down is currently classified, or is interested in or able to be classified under the Paralympics system.

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: £25 per event.

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: 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

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]

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

Please see this page for BF event media information: BF EVENT MEDIA INFORMATION – BRITISH FENCING

Finals Broadcast: Finals will be recorded and uploaded to the BF YouTube Channel as soon as possible.

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.

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 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:

• Be listed on the BF Coaching Register
• Hold a valid anti‑doping certificate

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.

Support Worker Access Pass

The Access Pass allows Support Workers to enter the designated Para Field of Play (FoP) to safely assist their athlete. An Access Pass is required for anyone supporting a wheelchair fencer in any of the following ways:

• Assisting with equipment.
• Helping with transfers between wheelchairs.
• Supporting an athlete when entering or leaving the piste or FoP.
• Acting as a carer.
• Providing essential subsistence such as water, food or medication.

Passes are valid for all event days and do not need to be returned.

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

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.