Partner With SoCal Swordfight 2026

SoCal Swordfight is the world’s largest Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) event, hosted at the Sheraton Fairplex in Pomona, CA, featuring three days of tournaments, classes, and community with over 1,000 attendees and 100+ hours of programming. Sponsorship gives brands access to a highly engaged, niche audience of martial artists, enthusiasts, and families, along with integrated onsite and digital visibility.

Sponsorship is offered in tiers such as Community Supporter, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Presenting levels.

We also have Champion-level/ options that provide themed options like Community Champion, Arming Champion, Hydration Champion, Technology Champion, and similar focused opportunities.

Higher tiers layer in more benefits, including stronger branding, access, and customization around specific tournaments or event areas.

Yes. Sponsors can donate products, gift certificates, or vouchers as prizes, and the retail value of those items can be applied toward sponsorship or vendor costs.

If you are vending, at least $250 is still paid in cash. This structure lets brands support the event and gain promotional benefits while managing their cash expenses.

SoCal Swordfight operates under Swordfight USA, a 501(c)(3) non‑profit, and many sponsorship contributions may qualify as charitable, tax‑deductible support. Sponsors should confirm their specific situation with their own tax professionals.

Ideal sponsors include HEMA weapons and gear makers, armor and protective equipment brands, athletic wear companies, fitness and wellness services, tactical and outdoor brands, technology and training tools, gaming and entertainment companies, travel and hospitality businesses, local restaurants and services, cultural organizations, and media/content outlets. These categories align closely with the interests and purchasing behavior of SoCal Swordfight attendees.

Yes. Many partners combine sponsorship with a vendor booth to gain both broad brand visibility and direct sales opportunities at the event. Specific combined packages and pricing are discussed during the sponsorship/vendor application review process.

Vendors connect directly with a concentrated audience of HEMA practitioners and enthusiasts who are actively shopping for swords, armor, training tools, apparel, and related products. The vendor hall is a central feature of the event, giving brands space to demo gear, hold conversations, and build long-term relationships with customers and other industry players.

Vendor booths are placed in high‑traffic locations at the Sheraton Fairplex, including tournament and entry halls where attendees move between classes, competitions, and activities. This layout is intended to maximize visibility and foot traffic across all three days of the event.

Vendor packages typically include a defined booth footprint, vendor passes, basic access to electricity, and listing in online and onsite vendor guides, with higher tiers adding extra passes or more prominent promotion.

Exact inclusions can vary by year and package, and are detailed in the current vendor information and application materials.

Yes. Vendors can contribute prize items or product bundles, and the retail value may be credited toward their booth or sponsorship fees, with a minimum of $250 still paid in cash. This helps vendors participate even when they prefer to invest through inventory rather than solely cash payments.

Vendors are strongly encouraged to carry their own general liability insurance for the duration of the event, naming the venue and/or event organizer as additional insured where applicable. While SoCal Swordfight maintains its own event coverage, that insurance does not replace a vendor’s responsibility for their own operations, products, staff, or booth activities.

Depending on what you sell and how you operate (for example, food service, demonstrations, or youth-focused activities), you may also need to meet any applicable local health, sales tax, or business permit requirements for Pomona and Los Angeles County; vendors should confirm those requirements with the appropriate authorities in advance.

Community Partners are primarily local and regional businesses—such as hotels, restaurants, breweries, attractions, and service providers—that want to welcome SoCal Swordfight attendees during the event.

These partners usually provide offers, in‑kind value, or modest sponsorship support in exchange for visibility in attendee communications and recommendations.

Community Partners are featured in event guides, maps, and recommendation lists, and may be highlighted on the website or in emails, directing out‑of‑town visitors to their businesses for lodging, dining, and entertainment. This exposure helps capture incremental traffic and builds an ongoing association with a major cultural and sporting event in the region.

Yes. Local businesses can contribute gift cards, experiences, or other prizes whose retail value is credited against eligible sponsorship or vendor packages, again with a minimum cash component required. This allows community partners to showcase their offerings to attendees while managing out‑of‑pocket costs.

Yes. SoCal Swordfight collaborates with podcasts, YouTube channels, blogs, photographers, videographers, and traditional press interested in covering HEMA and the event. Media partners can receive access, guidance on story opportunities, and in some cases co‑branded promotion in exchange for event coverage and content creation.

The event offers angles around historical European martial traditions, the growth of HEMA as a modern combat sport, youth and community development, cultural preservation, and the scale of an international gathering in Southern California. These themes make SoCal Swordfight relevant to sports, culture, lifestyle, education, and human‑interest coverage.

Start by completing the general partnership or sponsorship inquiry form, sharing basic information about your organization, goals, and budget.

The SoCal Swordfight team then reviews your information and recommends a path—sponsor, vendor, community partner, or a combination—that best fits your objectives.

After you submit, the event team reviews your application, may ask for clarification, and then follows up with proposed options and pricing. Once you confirm, you receive details about payment, deadlines, and logistics for your booth or sponsorship deliverables.

High-level logistics and timing are outlined on the vendor and sponsor follow‑up/thank‑you pages, and more detailed instructions will be provided via email as the event approaches.

These communications include check‑in times, loading information, and any venue-specific requirements vendors and sponsors need to follow.

SoCal Swordfight 2026 is scheduled for March 20–22, 2026, at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona, California.

There is also a welcome reception on the evening of March 19.

Additional information about the hotel, parking, and registration processes is available on the main event pages and registration guide.