The Ohio capital is expected to receive an economic boost of $5 million (£3 million/€4 million) in visitor spending and nearly 9,500 hotel room nights when it holds the sport's national showpiece tournament – the largest fencing tournament of any kind in the world – between June 28 and July 7.

"I am thrilled that the Nationals are coming to Columbus," said USA Fencing Board President Don Anthony at a press conference with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission at the Hilton Columbus Downtown.

"This is a great sports city with a strong fencing community.

"We've gotten great support from Mayor Coleman and the Arnold Sports Festival over the years and I'm looking forward to this being an opportunity to showcase our sport to a large audience.

"Nearly 3,500 athletes compete in this event every year, including future Olympic and world team hopefuls, and I think the local community will enjoy seeing our amazing sport up close."

Columbus Mayor Michael B Coleman welcomed the announcement saying: "Columbus is looking forward to hosting USA Fencing's National Championships in 2013 and we are proud of our growing opportunities to welcome USOC (United States Olympic Committee) National Governing Bodies to our great city.

"We are a great sports destination and our community looks forward to creating one of the best all-around experiences this event has ever had."


Columbus has hosted more than 50 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship events, including three NCAA Fencing Championships during the last five years in 2008, 2011 and 2012, as well the 2008 US Olympic trials for weightlifting, the 2010 and 2012 USA Swimming Grand Prix events and the 2012 USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships.

As well as the National Fencing Championships, which were previously scheduled to take place in Memphis before realising that the Tennessee city's facilities would not be large enough to accommodate the tournament, Columbus will welcome the NHL All-Star Weekend and golf's Presidents Cup next year.

"Columbus is a vibrant sports city that will offer tremendous exposure for our athletes," said USA Fencing chief executive Val Belmonte.

"Linda Logan and the staff of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission have been amazing to work with so far and we're looking forward to partnering on a successful event."

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