LA JOLLA, Calif. - UC San Diego and the World Fencing League (WFL) today announced a strategic partnership focused on supporting the growth of fencing through athlete development, visibility, and enhanced pathways from collegiate competition to the professional stage. 

The collaboration comes at a pivotal moment for the sport. As collegiate fencing programs continue to produce world-class talent, the World Fencing League is preparing to debut a new professional league in Los Angeles in April, designed to bring elite fencing to broader, more mainstream audiences through innovative competition formats, storytelling, and technology. 

UC San Diego Fencing has long been recognized for its commitment to competitive excellence and athlete development. Through this collaboration, UC San Diego and the World Fencing League aim to strengthen the connection between collegiate fencing and the evolving professional ecosystem. 

Founded by Olympic medalist and 2x World Champion Miles Chamley-Watson, the World Fencing League is designed to modernize how fencing is presented and experienced, while respecting the sport's heritage. The league has already secured top international and U.S. athletes ahead of its inaugural event. 

Under the strategic partnership, UC San Diego and the World Fencing League will collaborate on select initiatives focused on athlete engagement, visibility, and educational exchange. These efforts may include coordinated communications, exposure to professional pathways, and opportunities that help student-athletes better understand the future landscape of elite fencing. 

"This collaboration reflects our shared belief in supporting fencers and helping grow the sport," said UC San Diego associate athletic director Nick Feller, "Partnering with the World Fencing League allows our scholar-athletes to engage with the broader evolution of fencing while continuing to prioritize academic and athletic excellence." 

"Collegiate programs like UC San Diego Fencing are essential to the long-term health of our sport," said Chamley-Watson, founder of the World Fencing League. "Our goal is to make elite fencing more visible, more accessible, and more connected to real opportunities." 

Both organizations have committed to ongoing dialogue to explore additional opportunities that elevate fencing's profile, strengthen athlete pathways, and support sustainable growth for the sport in the United States and beyond. 

The World Fencing League is incubated by Chiron Sports Group, a global family office-backed investment group dedicated to transforming sports for the future through operational excellence, community building, and technology-driven innovation. 

For more information, please visit: https://worldfencingleague.org/
For inquiries, please contact: info@worldfencingleague.com 

About the World Fencing League 
The World Fencing League (WFL) is redefining one of the world's oldest sports for a new generation. The league is transforming fencing into a fast-paced, innovative, and immersive experience for fans worldwide. Its debut will take place in Los Angeles in April 2026, bringing together the world's top fencers, iconic brands, and innovative partners to create a sport that's as thrilling to watch as it is to compete in. 

About UC San Diego Athletics 
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of the Big West in NCAA Division I, The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Division II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-American honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II.