We welcome you to the eighth Glasgow HEMA Open, one of Scotland’s largest HEMA tournaments.

As is our custom we’ve taken on feedback and worked on how we did things in 2025 in our continuing mission to make it the best event possible for all those involved.

Events included this time will be:
Saturday
Open Longsword (48 max participants)
Women’s + Longsword (24 max participants)

Sunday:
Open Sabre and Broadsword (36 max participants)
Open Messer (36 max participants)

Unfortunately due to scheduling Open and Women’s+ Longsword are mutually exclusive.

Note: Some of the following information may be subject to minor changes over the coming weeks.

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BOOKING OPENS 13:00 13/12/25

Tickets into each event will costs £25

Due to the size of the Open this year, we will once again be seeking volunteers for head judges. This will be a 2 hour shift either in the morning or afternoon, and you’ll have at least a 1 hour gap between judging and competing. You will recieve a £25 discount (or payment if you’re not competing) and may take part in other events during the day or otherwise make use of sparring space when not judging.

Refunds and Transfers:
In the event that you have to withdraw, refunds will be given providing you inform us of this via email to glasgowhema@gmail.com by the end of day Saturday 31st January 2025.
You may transfer your ticket to another at any point up to registration on the day of the event. You must inform us of this via email to glasgowhema@gmail.com or in person during registration on the day of the event.

All competitors should read our Terms and Conditions here.

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Timetable

Saturday

Doors open at 09:00 and the hall closes at 17:00. Both Longsword tournaments will be on this day, and run from about 10:00-16:00. A more detailed timetable will be made available soon.

Sunday:

Doors open at 09:00 and the hall closes at 17:00. Messer will run from about 10:00-13:00 and Sabr/Broadsword from 13:00 - 16:00. A more detailed timetable will be made available soon

• Major changes from last year

  Thanks to all those who gave feedback after last year. There was not much that people were wanting changed however there are still some things to note:

  Expanded Women’s+ Longsword:
  After selling out 2 years in a row, and with multiple requests over that time, we are happy that we have been able to double the size of the Women’s+ Longsword. Unfortuneately this comes at the cost of it being mutually exclusive with the Open, which we hope you understand. Of course everyone is free to enter the Open if they would prefer.

  Expanded Messer and Sabre:
  Due to their popularity we have slighty expanded the messer and sabre tournaments. They will no longer run concurrently, and instead be one after the other.

  Cutting Competition:
  Sadly, due to increased costs, the time, space, and staff time it took and other factors. We will not be running the cutting competition this year. We fully intend on it returning in the future.

  Women’s+ Sabre:
  Unfortunately, for the same reasons as cutting (time, space, staffing, costs), as well as it’s low attendence over the last few years, we will not be running the Women’s+ Sabre this year. Likewise for cutting, we hope we’re able to bring this back in the future.

  Saturday Social:
  While unconfirmed for now, this will be running differently to the past. This is a result of significant numbers of people signing up to the social in the past and not attending on the evening.

• Kit Requirements

  Head Judges and Event organisers will have final say on whether kit is suitable or not, if you are in doubt please contact us before the event starts and we may be able to advise you. All kit should be free from major damage or defects that would affect it’s protectiveness.

  Steel Sabre/Broadsword:

  Mask: CEN 1 (FIE 350N) Mask with an appropiate overlay.
  Gorget: Must be worn under the mask and include a hard plate.
  Jacket: 350N HEMA Jacket (this must be a jacket designed for HEMA and includes lighter jackets like the SPES Officer’s and Red Dragon Light, but not newton rated hoodies). Jackets must zip, rather than be fastened with straps etc.
  Chest Protector: A hard chest protector (mandatory only for Females, recommended for all)
  Trousers: 350N rated pants, breeches or trousers. These must cover at least to below the knee.
  Joint Protection: Hard protection covering elbows and knees.
  Shin and Forearm: Hard protection covering the shins and forearms.
  Groin Protection: Hard protection worn under trousers (mandatory only for Males, recommended for all).
  Gloves: If using a full basket hilt you must have a minimum of a light glove. If using anything less, you must be wearing a minimum of Red Dragon Gloves or similar.
  You may wear any additional kit at your own discretion.

  Bare skin should not be visible once in full kit

  Weapon: Steel Sabre or Broadsword, free from major damage or defects. Must feature safe rolled or spatulated tip.
  Weight 800-1000g, up to 1300g for full baskethilts.
  Maximum blade length 87cm

  Steel Messer:

  Mask: CEN 1 (FIE 350N) Mask with an appropiate overlay.
  Gorget: Must be worn under the mask and include a hard plate.
  Jacket: 350N HEMA Jacket (this must be a jacket designed for HEMA and includes lighter jackets like the SPES Officer’s and Red Dragon Light, but not newton rated hoodies). Jackets must zip, rather than be fastened with straps etc.
  Chest Protector: A hard chest protector (mandatory only for Females, recommended for all)
  Trousers: 350N rated pants, breeches or trousers. These must cover at least to below the knee.
  Joint Protection: Hard protection covering elbows and knees.
  Shin and Forearm: Hard protection covering the shins and forearms.
  Groin Protection: Hard proection worn under trousers (mandatory only for Males, recommended for all).
  Gloves: Heavy Gloves (For example Sparring Gloves, SPES Heavy Gloves, Koning Gloves etc. NOT Red Dragon Gloves or any other Lacrosse style glove)

  Bare skin should not be visible once in full kit

  Weapon: Steel Messer free from major damage or defects. Must feature safe rolled or spatulated tip.
  Weight 700-1000g.
  Maximum blade length 75cm

  Steel Longsword:

  Mask: CEN 1 (FIE 350N) Mask with an appropiate overlay.
  Gorget: Must be worn under the mask and include a hard plate.
  Jacket: 350N HEMA Jacket (this must be a jacket designed for HEMA, and may not be light jackets like the SPES Officer’s and Red Dragon Light). Jackets must zip, rather than be fastened with straps etc.
  Chest Protector: A hard chest protector (mandatory only for Females, recommended for all)
  Trousers: 350N rated pants, breeches or trousers. These must cover at least to below the knee.
  Joint Protection: Hard protection covering elbows and knees.
  Shin and Forearm: Hard protection covering the shins and forearms.
  Groin Protection: Hard protection worn under trousers (mandatory only for Males, recommended for all).
  Gloves: Heavy Gloves (For example Sparring Gloves, SPES Heavy Gloves, Koning Gloves etc. NOT Red Dragon Gloves or any other Lacrosse style glove)
  
  You may wear any additional kit at your own discretion.

  Bare skin should not be visible once in full kit.

  Weapon: Steel Feder or Longsword, free from major damage and defects. Must feature safe rolled or spatulated tip.
  Weight: 1650g maximum
  Length: 140cm Overall maximum

• Rules

  The following my be subject to minor change.

  Match Rules:

  Matches may last up to 150 seconds or until one of the fencers reaches 15 match points

  Disarm or Successful grapple (see below): 7 match points
  Cut or thrust to the head or neck: 5 match points
  Thrust to the torso: 5 match points
  Pommel strike to mask: 5 match points
  Cut or thrust to any other target: 3 match points

  Draw cuts, or slices will be counted however, missed thrusts against the body will not be considered draw cuts.

  (Longsword Only) One handed strikes will not score any points, unless made as part of a grapple.

  Only cuts and thrusts supported by good body mechanics and edge alignment will score points, at the judge’s discretion.

  Fencers are encouraged to call hits on themselves if the hit was missed by the judges, though they are not permitted to call hits against their opponent.
  Likewise, a fencer may discredit a hit they made, if they feel it was a poor hit and shouldn’t be scored.

  Eliminations and Finals:

  Elimination fights will be the same as pool fights, with the following exceptions:
  Warnings will warrant -2 match points

  If fencer’s scores are at tied when the match time runs out, the match will continue until one fencer has a 5 point lead over the other, if this hasn’t happened after a total time of 4 minutes, the next successful strike, without a double or afterblow, will win the bout.

  Final fights will be same as the elimination fights, with the following exceptions:
  Match time will be extended by 60 seconds to 210 seconds
  The point cap will be removed.

  Doubles and Afterblows:

  Double hits will be any hits that strike simultaneously - these will not score any points and will be recorded as they effect progression through to eliminations.

  Afterblows will be any hits that land in a short space of time after the first hit landed, or before ‘Halt’ is called. After blows will score, with the lower points value target being deducted from the higher, and remaining points being awarded
  e.g. Red scores a hit to the body (3 points), but Blue scores a hit to the head (5 points) as an after blow . Thus blues higher score of 5 will be reduced by 3, awarding them 2 points.

  Grappling:

  All successful grappling techniques will be worth 7 match points.
  Throwing an opponent is allowed, though fencers do not need to complete a throw to score points. If a fencer dominates a grapple or otherwise clearly shows that they could have thrown their opponent, they will score points for a successful grapple.
  
  Fencers may choose to drop their weapon to gain an advantage in a grappling situation and will not be penalised for this.

  Any throws which lift the opponent off the ground (i.e. any suplex or double-leg takedown) are banned and may result in immediate disqualification - all throws must be done in a controlled manner.

  Judges have a broad authority to warn any fencer who throws their opponent in a way that is deemed unsafe or if they throw their opponent with excessive force. Repeat warnings can result in disqualification, though reckless actions may also result in immediate disqualification.

  Striking an opponent once they have been thrown to the floor is banned.

  Disarms:

  All successful Disarm techniques will be worth 7 match points.

  Controlling an opponents sword arm or their weapon as part of a grapple will also score points. If a fencer controls their opponent’s sword arm or weapon with one hand while maintaining free use of their own weapon in the other hand, they do not need to strike their opponent with the sword to gain points, but only need to demonstrate control or dominance over their opponent.

  Disarming an opponent will also score points, but points will only be scored if the fencer wilfully and purposefully disarms their opponent, or otherwise clearly demonstrates that they could strike their disarmed opponent. An opponent simply dropping their sword will not result in points being scored by itself.

  Warnings:

  Warnings will be given at the head judge’s discretion for all unsafe or inappropriate behaviour (including but not limited to):
  Lack of control (hitting the floor, blows landed after ‘Hold’ called, etc.)
  Unsporting behaviour (showing frustrated or angry reactions, excessive swearing)
  Suicidal or reckless fencing (consistently ignoring incoming attacks, attempting to double, charging in to attack, etc.)
  All warnings will be issued at the Head Judge’s discretion, repeated offences may result in disqualification.

  Illegal Targets and Techniques:

  Presenting or striking the following targets is illegal: feet, back, back of the head, groin.
  If a fencer deliberately strikes or presents an illegal target, they will be given a warning by the judges.

  Joint locks or joint manipulation.

  Strikes with the cross guard, basket, knuckle bow etc..

  Grappling moves that take both the opponents feet off the ground.

  Striking an opponent once they have been thrown to the floor.

• Format and Progression

  Pool stages:

  The first stage of the competition will feature pools of 6 fencers.

  Wins will be worth 3 points
  Draws will be worth 1 points
  Losses will be worth 0 points

  Your second, and each subsequent warning, will be worth –1 point

  After all pools fights finish, the two fencers in each pool with the lowest number of doubles will be rewarded with 2 points.

  Longsword Open:

  Since we once again have nice numbers for this, the top 2 of each pool will advance to Eliminations.

  Sabre/Broadsword and Messer:

  The top 2 of each pool will proceed into a 12 person elimination round, with the top 4 (overall) receiving a by into the second round of eliminations.

  Women’s+ Longsword:

  The top 2 of each pool will proceed to an 8 person elimination.

  Notes:
  If a pool is understrength, the scores for that pool will be weighted as if it were full.

  If a tie between fencers progressing into eliminations happens, the outcome will be determined by the highest score in the following order: points differnce, most technical points, least doubles, least warnings, most matches won, most matches drawn.

• Best Sportsperson and Most Technical Fencer

  Judge’s will confer to decide a Most Techical Fencer, and Best Sportsperson in all 3 weapons (note that for Longsword both the Open and Women’s+ are judged together)

• Prizes

  Opens and Women’s+ - The top 3 of both these tournaments will each recieve engraved medals, with the 1st place recieving an engraved Scottish Quaiche.

  Best Sportsperson - The best sportsperson will recieve an engraved plaque and a 50% discount if they wish to enter next years open.

  Most Technical Fencer - The most technical fencer will recieve an engraved plaque and a 50% discount if they wish to enter next years open.

• Saturday Social

  TBC

• FAQs

  Here are some of the questions/feedback we recieved in the past (not verbatum), with our responses.

  Q: Why don't you have scoring cards/please have scoring cards.
  A: Well we used to, then COVID happened, things were moved around, and they dissappeared. Why haven't we replaced them? Well, we've gone back and forth on the issue, but ultimately we like not having scoring visable during bouts, as it helps limit people gaming the system.
  I'm sure many of us have had fights where, for example, during the last exchange our opponent has maybe acted in a way that wasn't necessarily good HEMA, but was calculated in order to stay in the lead for points (things like deliberate doubling out).
  This is infuriating (and potentially dangerous), and we feel that fencers should be performing their best, not trying to chase points or trying to lock out their opponent from scoring simply because that's what maths say they should do.

  Q: The venue is a bit out the way
  A: Over the years we have hosted the Open at a variety of venues. Glasgow has a relative shortage of good quality affordable venues where we can have the space entirely to ourselves. While the current venue is more out the way than we'd like, it is still ~10 minutes from the nearest train station and has ample free parking, while only being about 15-20 minutes drive from the city’s West End. Other venues closer to the centre of town either cost a lot more, would require sharing the space or have very limited/expensive parking. Thankfully where we are has none of those issues, at the expense of being a bit further away

  Q: I'd like to do more sparring
  Q: You should have less space for sparring and run more pools
  A: Yes these are both comments we have recieved from mulitple attendees over the last two years. Now, given we've recieved both sides of this, we feel we're probably balancing this as well as we can. This year we will have somewhat less space for sparring during the pools as a result of the expanded capacity.
  However, there will be more time and space toward the end of each day for those that want to get more fights in with our friends from far and wide.

  Q: It'd be good to have more time to warm up and get ready.
  A: And we shall provide it. This year there wil be more time at the start of the event after registration for the various briefing and for people to be able to warm up etc. This will hopefully be evident once we release the full timetable.