On 26th and 27th September 2026 we will be hosting the 3rd edition of the Rugby Epee Cup.
The key differences from our 2025 event are that the U14 and U17 events have been expanded from 28 to 35 places each. The event schedule has been rearranged to accommodate this.
Venue
Rugby School Sports Centre, Horton Crescent, Rugby, CV22 5DJ
We will run Senior and Cadet (U17) events on Saturday 26th September. The U12 and U14 events, and Senior D/E/U (unranked) event, will run on Sunday 27th.
Schedule
Saturday 26th
The venue will be open from 07:00. Check in will open by 08:30. The closing times are as follows:
| Event | Ranked? | Max places | Check-in closes | Estimated finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Mixed/Men’s Open Epee | Ranked Open | 42 | 09:00 | 14:15 |
| U17 Girls’ Epee | BRC “C” ranked | 35 | 09:15 | 14:30 |
| U17 Boys’ Epee | BRC “C” ranked | 35 | 12:30 | 17:30 |
| Senior Women’s Open Epee | Ranked Open | 28 | 13:30 | 18:00 |
Sunday 27th
The venue will be open from 08:30. Check in will open immediately. Check in closing times are:
| Event | Ranked? | Max places | Check-in closes | Estimated finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U14 Boys’ Epee | BRC “C” ranked | 35 | 09:15 | 14:15 |
| U14 Girls’ Epee | BRC “C” ranked | 35 | 09:30 | 14:30 |
| U12 Girls’ Epee | Not ranked | 21 | 11:30 | 16:45 |
| U12 Boys’ Epee | Not ranked | 21 | 12:30 | 17:00 |
| Senior Men’s/Mixed Epee (D/E/U ratings) | Not ranked | 21 | 13:30 | 17:15 |
| Senior Women’s Epee (D/E/U ratings) | Not ranked | 14 | 14:15 | 17:45 |
Entering multiple events
You are welcome to enter more than 1 event for which you are qualified. If your second competition starts and you are still fencing in the previous one, your pool fights may be compressed to accommodate this.
Competition format and rules
All events will consist of a single round of poules followed by Direct Elimination. All competitors will move to the DE stage. There will be medals for 1st, 2nd, and joint 3rd, in each event.
Please ensure all required clothing is worn, including plastrons, and chest protectors for girls. Socks must be long enough to overlap breeches and there must be no gap between the bottom of the jacket and the top of breeches.
Referees will be asked to be lenient on weapon technical problems, as we understand many newer fencers may be borrowing equipment from their club. However, safety is our top priority and as such the referees will be strict on defects with protective clothing and masks.
Age group eligibility
The British Fencing age group definitions show which event(s) your child will be able to enter.
Junior U12
Poule fights will be to 5 hits, with a bout time of 3 minutes. Direct Elimination fights will be to 10 hits with 3 periods of 2 minutes (1 minute gap).
U12s may use size 0 or size 2 weapons.
Junior U14
Poule fights will be to 5 hits, with a bout time of 3 minutes. Direct Elimination fights will be to 12 hits with 3 periods of 2 minutes (1 minute gap).
U14s may use size 0 or size 2 weapons.
Senior D/E/U, Senior Ranked Open, Junior U17
Poule fights will be 5 hits, bout time of 3 minutes. Direct Elimination will be to 15 hits, with 3 periods of 3 minutes (1 minute gap).
Senior fencers must wear an 800N plastron and 350N or better breeches.
U17s may use size 0, 2 or 5 weapons.
Coaches, spectators and accompanying adults
U18 fencers must be accompanied by an adult. However, the available space is somewhat limited; to prevent overcrowding, we are making the following rules and requests:
- ONLY fencers permitted in fencing area during poule rounds; during DE a fencer may have one parent OR coach at their end of the piste; referees and staff will be enforcing this rule
- If at all possible, do not bring more than ONE accompanying adult
- Spectate from the balcony if at all possible, especially for those with U14 and U17 fencers. The pistes nearest the bag/spectator area will be prioritised for U12 events, and the side courts will be in use this year and spectators will not be able to stand all the way along the barrier
- A squash court will be hired for use as an additional bag area; senior fencers will be encouraged to use this space as their primary option, and give priority to younger fencers for the space within the hall
Refreshments
There is no cafe on site; there are vending machines, and we will run a snack stall. For more substantial fare, the town centre is less than 10 minutes’ walk.
Travel and parking
The venue (1) is near the centre of Rugby and approximately 10 minutes from the Rugby junction (J1) of the M6, and a similar time from the A5/Hinckley/Rugby junction (J18) of the M1. Onsite parking is quite limited, so parking directly next to the venue is not guaranteed. However, the streets next to the venue do not have parking restrictions. We have also been given permission to use the Collingwood Centre (2) car park as overflow. The highlighted areas show the available parking.
