Fencers Club

What Fencers Club does

Fencers Club is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1883, recognized as the oldest continuously existing fencing organization in the Western Hemisphere. Headquartered in an 11,000 sq ft climate-controlled facility at 20 West 33rd Street in Midtown Manhattan, the club operates 21 competition-level computerized fencing strips, locker rooms, a conference room, and a gym area. The organization produces Olympians across all three fencing weapons (foil, epee, sabre) and reports 60+ Olympians with 23 Olympic medals, with representation at every Olympic Games since 1904.

The core product is fencing instruction delivered through private lessons (approximately 20 minutes) and group classes (approximately 1.5 hours) by Master Coaches holding internationally-acclaimed Maestro credentials. Revenue is diversified across approximately eight streams: annual memberships (Adult $2,000, Junior $1,600, Senior $1,200, plus short-term tiers), private and group lesson rentals, summer day camps ($375–$750/week), 21 in-house tournaments per season ($70–$80 entry), an on-site Pro Shop for equipment retail and repair, FC Fit corporate wellness/team-building programs, photography/film venue rentals, private party hosting, and donations/grants (including VA-funded Veterans On Guard programming).

The organization serves competitive fencers, youth and junior members (ages 5–20), adult recreational members, military veterans (free program), corporate clients, and students at 25–30 partner schools via the Schools Partnership program. Distribution is community-led: word-of-mouth referrals within the fencing community, school partnership pipelines, alumni engagement, and earned media (NYT, Good Morning America, NPR, TIME). Pricing is non-refundable and non-transferable; all fencers must be active USA Fencing members. Governance is by a Board of Directors led by Chairman Philippe Bennett (Partner, Alston & Bird) and President Kathleen Reckling (CEO, ArtsWestchester).

Name

Fencers Club

Legal name

Fencers Club Inc.

Website

https://fencersclub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1883

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fencers Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1883 in New York City, providing fencing instruction, training, and competition across all three weapons and age groups from an 11,000 sq ft Midtown Manhattan facility, serving competitive athletes, youth, adults, veterans, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fencing Instruction and Training

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Club Sports Programs (EDALAIAB)

Keywords

• Fencing instruction
• Fencing club membership
• Youth fencing programs
• Competitive fencing training
• Fencing summer camps

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual and monthly membership fees provide primary recurring revenue. Members pay for access to facilities, open bouting, and group classes. Membership tiers include Adult ($2,000/year), Junior ($1,600/year), Senior ($1,200/year), and short-term options.
2. Private Lessons: Coaches provide private fencing lessons charged separately from membership. Members pay rental fees for private lessons ($10) and group lessons ($50).
3. Camps and Clinics: Summer day camps and seasonal training camps provide revenue. Full-day camp is $750/week, half-day is $375/week. Training camps are priced per day ($65-80/day).
4. Tournament Entry Fees: The club hosts tournaments with pre-registration at $70 and walk-in at $80. The 2025-2026 season includes 21 tournaments.
5. Pro Shop Sales: On-site Pro Shop sells fencing gear, apparel, and products. Also offers equipment rental and repair services.
6. Corporate Events and FC Fit: Team-building programs and corporate events generate revenue from organizations seeking unique wellness experiences.
7. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the club relies on donations and grants to supplement operating costs. The Veterans On Guard program has received Department of Veteran Affairs grants.
8. Locker Rentals: Annual locker rental available for $800/year to members in good standing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Fencers Club provides fencing instruction, training, and competition programs at its 11,000 sq ft Midtown Manhattan facility, serving beginners through Olympic-level athletes. Core revenue offerings include annual memberships, private and group lessons, summer day camps, in-house tournaments, and specialized programs such as FC Fit corporate wellness and Veterans On Guard adaptive fencing. The club also operates an on-site Pro Shop for equipment sales, rentals, and repairs, and runs a Schools Partnership program delivering instruction to partner schools.

Product overview

Fencers Club is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit fencing organization established in 1883, offering a comprehensive portfolio of fencing-related programs and services from its New York City facility. The core offering includes fencing instruction through private lessons and group classes taught by Master Coaches, supplemented by the FC Fit wellness program for corporate team-building, the Veterans On Guard program for military veterans, and a Schools Partnership program bringing fencing instruction to partner institutions. The organization operates the Summer Day Camp for youth development, an on-site Pro Shop for equipment needs, and hosts in-house tournaments alongside access to national USA Fencing competitions. Additional offerings include venue rental for photography/film and private parties, athlete development support with scholarships, and the FC TV media archive. The membership-based model provides facility access with various annual and limited-term plans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FC Fit: A holistic mind+body wellness and team-building program that uses fencing to improve team performance, relieve stress levels, and strengthen both bodies and minds.
• Veterans On Guard Program
• Schools Partnership

Products and services

• Classes & Lessons Fencing instruction delivered through private lessons (~20 minutes) and group classes (~1.5 hours) taught by Master Coaches with internationally acclaimed credentials. Open to all levels from beginners to Olympians across foil, epee, and sabre.
• Membership Programs Annual and limited membership plans providing full facility access, open fencing sessions, and discounts on camps. Tiers include Adult ($2,000/year), Junior ($1,600/year), Senior ($1,200/year), plus daily, monthly, and 3-month options.
• FC Fit Wellness Program A mind+body corporate wellness and team-building program using fencing as a performance-enhancing experience. Designed to improve team performance, relieve stress, and strengthen both bodies and minds for organizational clients.
• Veterans On Guard Program Free fencing program for military Veterans and Active Service members offering Olympic (able-bodied) and Paralympic (adaptive/wheelchair) styles. Promotes physical fitness and emotional well-being with world-class instruction and equipment provided.
• 2026 Summer Day Camp Weekly summer program for students combining academic enrichment with fencing instruction. Features morning beginner sessions, afternoon skill development sessions led by scholar-athletes, and creative academic activities including writing workshops and strategic games.
• Schools Partnership Program Comprehensive program teaching fencing in 25-30 partner schools while imparting character-building values, discipline, and strategic thinking. Scholar-athlete coaches work with students to foster perseverance and academic enhancement across racial, socio-economic, and cultural divides.
• FC Pro Shop On-site retail store offering fencing gear, apparel, and equipment for all levels. Provides equipment rental and repair services by expert armorers. Open Wed-Thu 4pm-8pm and by arrangement.
• Corporate Events & Team-building Customizable corporate experiences including team-building retreats, client appreciation events, and leadership workshops. Hosts events for Olympic sponsors to startups with tailored fencing activities.
• Photography and Film Venue Rental 11,000 sq ft open-concept facility available for film and photo shoots. Features hardwood floors, natural light, locker rooms, conference room, and proximity to the Empire State Building.
• Parties and Celebrations Private party hosting for ages 7+, featuring small-group fencing coaching, equipment provision, and cake/party favor time. Held at the state-of-the-art Midtown Manhattan facility.
• In-House Tournaments Regular club tournaments including Youth Foil, Youth Epee Cup, Youth Sabre, and Veteran Cup events. The 2025-2026 season features 21 tournaments from September 2025 through June 2026 with pre-registration at $70 and walk-in at $80.
• Athlete Development and Member Support Support program for competitive athletes including yearly scholarships, coaching at partner schools, academic counseling, high school/college placement guidance, community service, internships, and mentoring.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60+ Olympians produced with 23 Olympic medals
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Peter Westbrook Foundation (PWF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership with the Peter Westbrook Foundation. Many athletes are listed as 'PWF/FC' indicating dual affiliation. The foundation provides pathway programs that feed into Fencers Club training. Notable athletes include Daryl Homer, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Nzingha Prescod, Kasia Nixon, and many others who represent both organizations at competitions.
• USA FencingcoreOthersOfficial membership and event sanctioning body. All fencers must be active USA Fencing members (competitive or non-competitive) to train at or visit Fencers Club. The club hosts USA Fencing National Tournaments and participates in USA Fencing circuit events.
• Partner Schools (25-30 schools)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchools Partnership program brings fencing instruction to students in their own schools across racial, socio-economic, and cultural divides. Partner schools include institutions in the NYC area where Fencers Club scholar-athlete coaches provide instruction, creating a pipeline to club membership and competitive fencing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Peter Westbrook Foundation: NYC-based fencing development organization and the club's closest partner, with overlapping athlete rosters (many athletes listed as PWF/FC). Directly competes for and co-develops elite fencing talent in the same New York market.
• Downtown Fencing Club: Manhattan-based fencing club offering beginner-to-competitive training and tournament hosting. Directly overlaps Fencers Club's geographic and customer segments in NYC.
• Manhattan Fencing Center: Competitive fencing club operating in the NYC metro area, offering group classes, private lessons, and tournaments across weapons. Directly competes for the same adult and youth fencer base as Fencers Club.
• Tim Morehouse Fencing Club: NYC-area fencing club founded by Olympic silver medalist Tim Morehouse. Provides group classes, private lessons, camps, and tournament hosting in the same competitive fencing market as Fencers Club.
• Nellya Fencers: One of the largest and longest-running fencing clubs in the US, based in Atlanta. Operates a comparable multi-weapon training facility with competitive athlete development and tournament hosting.
• Salle d'Asaro Fencing: Fencing club offering training across weapons with competitive pathways. Operates as a comparable community of competitive fencers with a similar club-based membership model.

Others

• USA Fencing: National governing body for the sport and Fencers Club's sanctioning organization. Not a competitor but the central authority whose national tournaments, rankings, and membership requirements shape Fencers Club's operating environment.
• Zen Planner: Member-management software platform used by Fencers Club (fencersclub.sites.zenplanner.com) and many comparable fitness, martial arts, and sports-instruction clubs. Serves as ecosystem infrastructure rather than a competitor.

Broad incumbents

• New York Athletic Club: Historic, multi-sport private members club in NYC. While not fencing-specific, it competes for the same affluent adult members seeking premium athletic and social club experiences in Manhattan.

Regional players

• The Fencing Academy of Philadelphia: Established fencing academy on the East Coast with multi-weapon training, camps, and competitive athlete development. Operates a similar club-based model but is primarily a Philadelphia regional competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fencersclub
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fencersclub6780
• Facebookfacebook.com/fencersclub
• Instagraminstagram.com/fencersclubinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fencers-club-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fencers Club