Tournament of Defense - AFO Cup

05/10/2026

What movie got you into dueling? Mine was the 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet. I wanted to wear the clothes and learn the way of the sword at the same time. It’s been a life long pursuit. Huzzah!

ACT 3 SCENE 1: 1968 VersionMercutio and Tybalt Fight

05/10/2026

⚔️ A CALL TO ARMS: HEMA SCHOOLS, WE CHALLENGE YOU! ⚔️

Your school. Your fighters. Your chance to make history.

The 7th Annual Tournament of Defense is calling on historical fencing schools and clubs from across the country to join us in Houston, Texas!

We want to see the widest possible representation of schools, disciplines, and fighting traditions. Whether you're bringing seasoned competitors or stepping onto the tournament floor for the first time, we want YOUR school represented!

🏆 FIVE WAYS TO COMPETE:

Single Rapier

Rapier & Dagger

Smallsword

Sabre

Longsword

🤺 TAG YOUR SCHOOL. CHALLENGE ANOTHER. RALLY YOUR FENCERS.

Know a school that deserves to be represented? Tag them below! Challenge your neighboring clubs, your friendly rivals, and the schools you've always wanted to cross blades with.

Let's bring the HEMA community together for an unforgettable weekend of competition, camaraderie, and historical fencing.

📅 November 6–8, 2026
📍 Houston, Texas
⏳ Registration closes October 23!

🔗 https://www.afofencing.com/tod2026

THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN ISSUED. WILL YOUR SCHOOL ANSWER THE CALL?

02/10/2026

Regular Registration closes tonight at midnight.

30/09/2026

⚔️ Wondering how the Tournament of Defense rules actually work?

We put together a quick video walking through the rules, scoring, and what we’re looking for when hits happen in the ring.

Whether you’re competing at TOD for the first time or returning this year, give it a watch. Our goal is simple: everyone should understand how the game is played before they step into the ring.

Watch it. Ask questions. Come prepared to fence.

And while we’re talking preparation—a friendly reminder that Regular Registration pricing ends at midnight on October 2.

We’re getting close, folks. Can’t wait to cross blades with everyone this November.

Tournament of Defense 2026

Study the Art. Test the Art. Share the Experience.

Tournament of Defense: The International Technical Ruleset, Explain...

29/09/2026

⚔️ CASTILLE ARMORY JOINS THE TOURNAMENT OF DEFENSE!

We’re excited to announce that Castille Armory is sponsoring the Tournament of Defense 2026!

That means our podium finalists won’t just be taking home some hardware—they’ll also be receiving Castille Armory gift certificates toward future purchases. A huge thank you to Castille for supporting our competitors and helping us continue to grow this event.

And what an event it’s shaping up to be.

Top-notch instructors traveling from Europe Francesco Loda, Silvia Tomassetti, Alberto Bomprezzi’s (first teaching adventure to the US) Stefano Ciamei, from Chicago Swordplay Guilde, Greg Mele, Fencers coming together from near and far. Multiple weapons and traditions represented. And we’ve even got a former world #1 stepping into the ring for our Longsword pilot. (So honored)

This year’s TOD is sizing up to be quite the HEMA soirée. 🥂⚔️

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone—competitors, instructors, sponsors, volunteers, spectators, and friends—who continues to support what we’re building.

Want to be part of it?

Take advantage of our Regular Registration pricing before it disappears at MIDNIGHT THIS FRIDAY, October 2.

Come learn. Come fence. Come celebrate the art with us.

Tournament of Defense 2026

Study the Art. Test the Art. Share the Experience.

27/09/2026

⚔️ TOD 2026 IS UTILIZING JOY OF HEMA! ⚔️

We’re excited to announce that the Tournament of Defense VII will be utilizing Joy of HEMA for TOD 2026!

As the Tournament of Defense continues to grow, we’re working to make the tournament experience smoother, more accessible, and easier to follow for competitors, staff, and spectators alike.

📱 Through Joy of HEMA, participants and spectators will have a centralized place to follow tournament information, brackets, results, and more throughout the event.

This is another step forward for TOD as we prepare for our biggest tournament yet!

⚔️ Tournament of Defense VII
📅 November 6–8, 2026
📍 Houston, Texas

More information on how we’ll be using Joy of HEMA—and what competitors need to know—will be coming soon.

23/09/2026

☕⚔️ COFFEE IS COMING TO THE FIELD OF HONOR!

We’re excited to announce that Java Pura Coffee Roasters will be joining us at the Tournament of Defense 2026 and setting up an onsite coffee bar for the weekend!

Because apparently rapier, saber, smallsword, longsword and dagger weren’t enough stimulation. 😂

Grab a coffee between bouts, warm up before your next event, or just hang out and enjoy the action.

A huge thank you to Java Pura for helping us make this year’s TOD experience even better.

And don’t forget—Regular Registration closes at MIDNIGHT on October 2.

If you’ve been planning to join us, now’s the time to get on the roster.

⚔️ Tournament of Defense 2026

Study the Art. Test the Art. Share the Experience.

☕ Now caffeinated.

21/09/2026

FOLLOW THE ACTION.

One of the things we’re excited about for Tournament of Defense 2026 is our live scoring system.

Competitors and spectators will be able to follow the tournament play-by-play—tracking scores and results as the action unfolds in the rings.

Whether you’re waiting for your next bout, following a teammate, or just there to watch some great fencing, you’ll be able to keep up with what’s happening throughout the tournament.

Many thanks to Christian & Janie Kimbell for designing such a lovely app.

And the field is taking shape.

Regular Registration closes at midnight on October 2.

After that, we’re into the final stretch.

If you’re planning to take the Field of Honor this November, now’s the time.

Study the Art. Test the Art. Share the Experience.

Tournament of Defense 2026
Regular Registration Deadline: Midnight • October 2