SPONSOR SOCAL SWORDFIGHT 2025

Connect Your Brand with Historical European Martial Arts Enthusiasts

SoCal Swordfight, Southern California's premier Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) event, brings together over 1,100 athletes and enthusiasts for three days of intense competition, expert instruction, and community building.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we're dedicated to preserving historical martial arts while promoting athletic excellence and educational development.

SOCALSWORDFIGHT 2025

Event Impact

Our March 14-16, 2025 event at the Sheraton Fairplex in Pomona showcases the growing popularity of historical martial arts as a competitive sport.

With over 1,700 high-intensity matches and 110+ hours of expert instruction from 70 international instructors across 25,000+ sq ft of competition space, we've seen remarkable growth of 360.8% since 2015.

SOCAL SWORDFIGHT 2025

Why Partner With SoCal Swordfight?

Historical martial arts represents a unique intersection of athletic performance, educational development, and cultural preservation. Our event offers sponsors:

  • Access to a dedicated community of athletes and martial arts enthusiasts
  • Connection with a rapidly growing sport
  • Engagement with a predominantly young, active demographic
  • Integration opportunities across multiple platforms
  • Support for youth athletic development and education
  • Alignment with both athletic excellence and historical preservation

SOCAL SWRODFIGHT 2025

Standard Sponsorship Tiers

Select the sponsorship tier that best fits your organization's goals. All sponsorships include recognition of your support for Historical European Martial Arts and community development.

PURCHASE SPONSORSHIP

QUESTIONS?

Contact our sponsorship team:

For Champion-level sponsorships ($15,000+), please contact our team directly to discuss custom packages.

  • Logo on event website
  • Logo on sponsor step and repeat banner
  • Logo on event shirts
  • One social media announcement

Perfect for: Local businesses, martial arts schools, community organizations

All Community Supporter benefits plus:

  • Logo in event program
  • Standard vendor space
  • 2 general admission passes
  • Additional social media mentions
  • Banner placement in vendor area

Perfect for: Local government departments, small businesses, public service organizations

All Bronze benefits plus:

  • Premium banner placement
  • 4 general admission passes
  • Dedicated social media post
  • Product sampling opportunities
  • 15-minute demo/presentation slot
  • Recognition during opening ceremony

Perfect for: Regional businesses, equipment manufacturers, educational institutions

All Silver benefits plus:

  • Premium vendor space
  • Banner placement in competition area
  • Logo on livestream
  • 6 general admission passes
  • VIP parking passes
  • 30-minute demo/presentation slot
  • Recognition during awards ceremony

Perfect for: Large regional businesses, equipment manufacturers, training centers

SOCAL SWORDFIGHT 2025

Champion-Level Sponsorships

Our Champion-Level Sponsorships represent the highest tier of partnership with SoCal Swordfight, offering exclusive category rights and premium integration opportunities. These customized packages are designed for organizations seeking deep engagement with our community while supporting specific aspects of historical martial arts development.

Each Champion-Level Sponsorship includes:

  • Category exclusivity
  • Premium 20' x 20' booth space
  • Comprehensive brand integration
  • VIP access and networking opportunities
  • Custom activation options
  • First right of refusal for 2026
  • Post-event impact report

Heritage Champion

Preserving History Through Education

Connect your brand with cultural preservation and educational initiatives. Support scholarship programs, historical research, and cultural exhibitions while engaging with a community passionate about bringing history to life. Perfect for financial institutions, cultural organizations, and educational foundations.

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Performance Champion

Powering Athletic Achievement

Align your brand with the athletic excellence of historical martial arts. Support peak performance through hydration stations, recovery zones, and tournament integration. Ideal for sports nutrition, hydration, and performance brands looking to connect with dedicated athletes.

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Community Champion

Building Stronger Communities

Foster community development through accessible martial arts programs and youth initiatives. Support diversity in sports while promoting health and wellness education. Ideal for healthcare providers, insurance companies, and community-focused organizations.

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Innovation Champion

Advancing Combat Sports Technology

Drive technological advancement in historical martial arts through equipment innovation, performance tracking, and digital integration. Perfect for technology companies, equipment manufacturers, and sports tech brands.

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Education Champion

Shaping Future Leaders

Support academic research, youth development, and educational programming. Help bridge historical martial arts with modern education through school partnerships and curriculum development. Ideal for educational institutions, publishers, and learning platforms.

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Wellness Champion

Promoting Health and Safety

Champion athlete wellness through safety education, injury prevention, and health awareness programs. Support medical services and equipment safety initiatives. Perfect for healthcare providers, safety equipment manufacturers, and wellness brands.

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SOCAL SWORDFIGHT

Ready to
Connect? Connect? Connect? Connect?

Contact our sponsorship team to discuss custom packages that align with your marketing goals and budget.

MEET THE HEMA PRACTITIONER

UNVEILING THE MODERN MARTIAL HISTORIAN

The Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) practitioner stands at the intersection of diverse affinity categories, embodying a unique blend of passion, discipline, and historical curiosity.

  1. Passion for History: The HEMA practitioner is driven by a profound love for history, drawn to the allure of mastering martial arts techniques that echo through time. Their journey is a fusion of physical prowess and intellectual curiosity.
  2. Discipline and Dedication: Training in HEMA requires unwavering dedication, emphasizing discipline both on and off the training ground. This commitment extends to a lifestyle steeped in respect for tradition and a quest for personal improvement.
  3. Versatility in Combat Styles: From the finesse of rapier duels to the power of longsword techniques, HEMA practitioners embrace a diverse array of historical combat styles, seeking a well-rounded martial education.
  4. Community-Centric Mindset: Active engagement within the tight-knit HEMA community is crucial. Practitioners participate in shared learning experiences, events, and collaborations, thriving on camaraderie.
  5. Intellectual Curiosity: Beyond physical training, HEMA practitioners are avid researchers, delving into historical literature, manuscripts, and cultural contexts to enrich their understanding of historical combat.
  • Athletic Apparel / Training and Performance Gear: HEMA practitioners gravitate towards high-quality athletic apparel and specialized training gear that supports their rigorous physical training regimen.
  • Knives and Tactical Gear: Appreciating the martial arts ethos, practitioners may show interest in knives and tactical gear, aligning with their dedication to historical combat.
  • Energy Drinks: Fueled by the intensity of HEMA, practitioners may seek energy drinks that complement their physical exertion during training and competitions.
  • Gaming and Entertainment Companies: Given the historical and martial nature of their pursuits, HEMA enthusiasts may have an affinity for gaming and entertainment companies that echo similar themes.
  • Technology and Training Tools: Embracing modern advancements, practitioners seek technology and training tools that enhance their learning experience and skills.
  • Fitness and Health Supplements: Committed to physical well-being, HEMA practitioners may incorporate fitness and health supplements into their regimen for optimal performance.
  • Media and Content Creators: HEMA practitioners actively consume content from media outlets and creators, staying informed about the latest developments in historical martial arts.
  • Historical and Cultural Organizations: Engaging with historical and cultural organizations, practitioners contribute to and draw inspiration from initiatives that preserve and promote historical traditions.
  • Local Businesses and Restaurants: Supporting local businesses and restaurants, HEMA practitioners value community connections, reflecting their community-centric mindset.
  • Event Services and Equipment Rental: As participants in events, practitioners appreciate event services and equipment rental options that contribute to the success of HEMA gatherings.
  • Fitness and Wellness Brands: Aligned with their commitment to physical fitness, practitioners may resonate with fitness and wellness brands that share their values.
  • Travel and Accommodation Providers: Attending events and tournaments, practitioners may seek travel and accommodation services to enhance their overall experience.

SoCal Swordfight stands as the world's largest HEMA event, attracting practitioners and enthusiasts from across the globe. Our event offers unparalleled opportunities for brands to connect with this passionate and engaged community.

  • Attendance: Over 1,100 participants expected for 2025
  • Global Reach: Attendees from 20+ countries
  • Event Duration: 3 full days of workshops, tournaments, and exhibitions
  • Online Engagement: Livestreamed events reaching thousands of viewers worldwide
  • Marketplace: Bustling vendor area featuring 50+ exhibitors
  • Workshops: 100+ classes covering various HEMA disciplines and skill levels
  • Tournaments: Multiple competitive events across different weapon categories

By sponsoring SoCal Swordfight, you're not just reaching attendees – you're engaging with the heart of the global HEMA community.This addition provides potential sponsors with valuable insights into the HEMA practitioner demographic and highlights the scale and significance of SoCal Swordfight as a premier event in the HEMA world.

  • Attendance Growth

    Since its inception in 2012, SoCal Swordfight has grown into a major event in the HEMA community. While comprehensive data is available from 2015 onwards, the event's growth has been remarkable. From 2015 to 2024, attendance increased significantly, rising from 250 attendees in 2015 to 1,152 total attendees in 2024. This represents a growth of 360.8% over this nine-year period, showcasing the event's expanding popularity and commitment to the HEMA community.

  • Attendance by Age

    The majority of our attendees, regardless of gender, fall within the 25-54 age range, with the largest segment between 25-44. This trend reflects the relatively young nature of competitive HEMA in the United States and highlights this age group's passion for the sport. To foster future growth, we are expanding our U18 categories to encourage younger competitors to join the HEMA community. As our current practitioners age, we are also considering the development of a seniors category to ensure inclusivity and sustain our vibrant community.

  • Attendance by Gender

    Our event demographics consistently show a male majority, with 68-75% male attendance across various channels. At-event participation maintains this trend, with over 65% male attendees. We've observed a 7% increase in female participation, which can be attributed to our recent expansion of tournament categories. These new categories have provided additional opportunities for competition, attracting more female practitioners to actively engage in the event. We continue to monitor these trends and adjust our event structure to accommodate the evolving interests of our diverse HEMA community.ShareRewrite

  • Followers & Subscribers

    Our dedicated HEMA community continues to grow across multiple channels. Our email list remains our strongest connection, with 2,137 subscribers. Facebook engagement remains high with 1,900 followers, while Instagram has seen significant growth to 1,560 followers. We've made substantial progress on emerging platforms, with TikTok showing impressive growth to 477 followers. Our presence on Twitter and YouTube is steadily increasing, now at 80 and 176 followers respectively. These numbers reflect our expanding reach and the growing interest in Historical European Martial Arts.