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2026 Summer Nationals event cap

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I’m curious how others feel about the event caps at Summer Nationals this year.

I understand the need to keep the meet timeline manageable. My concern isn’t that events were capped—it’s that there didn’t seem to be any advance information about which events were likely to fill or how the capacities would be managed.

I was surprised to find that all of the events over 100 meters were already closed while shorter events remained open. Without knowing that ahead of time, it felt like registration became a race to click “submit” rather than an opportunity to register for the events you’ve trained all season to swim.

In my opinion, USMS should have published estimated event capacities or identified events that were likely to fill quickly before registration opened. I think having that information would allow swimmers to make more informed decisions and would make the registration process feel more transparent.

I’m interested to hear what others think and whether anyone else was caught off guard by the event caps.

  • I wasn't planning on going to Nationals, because Sacramento in August can be ridiculously HOT! But if this is how it went down, I absolutely agree with you. I would be Rage. 

  • I'm disappointed that the longer events have already been capped. I registered early and was able to enter all of my top events (200 breaststroke and 400 freestyle), but some of my teammates were caught off guard, especially since the cap didn't apply in the past.

    Like you, I would like to hear about the time constraints USMS is facing and to participate in an open forum to propose solutions for this and the upcoming Summer Nationals!

  • I too find the early caps a complete surprise. At least one of my colleagues of international ranking didn't enter the meet b/c she was locked out of 3 of her 6 events.  I've never seen waitlists, esp this early, for past meets. This occurred 4 weeks prior to the meet closing.  This feels like an impactful change on USMS or the Meet Host's part, one that warranted advance notice IMO. Is it due to considerations of hot days for officials?  If so notice would have been nice. I'm also interested in seeing how the waitlists play out in the end.  Will this turn out to be a 'false alarm' and people miss Nat'ls as a result, or was it warranted and we just need earlier notice and good communication in the future. Waiting to see.... 

  • We understand that having to cap entries is not a popular option. The caps are put in place to ensure that the meet is enjoyable and manageable for those participating and the volunteers. The possibility of caps on 200s and longer is in the rule book and the published meet information. From 104.5.3.C(2), the Championship Committee may choose to put an entry cap on events 200 yards/meters and longer.

    We are excited that many people entered early. However, this meant that caps needed to go in place earlier. We are continuing to look for other ways to limit the timelines for future National meets. We do appreciate your feedback. 

  • in reply to Erin Sizelove

    You've stated your 'position'. I'd like to request that the NO or the Championship Committee do an analysis of the application of caps at LCM Nationals (say over the past 20 years). Year, meet, location, and how many days the meet ran 1) when was the cap imposed - days from cutoff,  2)  what events were capped, eg 'distance' 1,500 and 800, the 400's if different, and the 200 events.3) the projected timeline at the day caps were imposed and the final timeline once waitlist swimmers are moved into the meet, 4) number of people per event moved from the waitlist to the event, 5 ) and comparative data for how long the meet 'should be' for each day--this info would show if the planning parameters have changed. That's what I can think of right now to have a transparent approach to something that seems like such a big change and such an impact on our athletes. I'm happy to discuss my ideas with the NO staff or championship committee members.  You know where to find me. Thanks for considering.  Sarah

  • I was caught completely off guard by the caps. The caps should have been communicated clearly when registration opened. I entered the 800 free shortly after registration opened and did not get in, put my name on the waitlist and just learned that I didn't get in when Psych sheets came out. At that point I asked if I could enter the 50 fly as a substitute and was told "no." There are 2 heats of the 800 free in my age group. The real competition is not in the pool for this event, but who can register the fastest. I understand needing to manage a timeline, I hope there will be more transparent, early communication about caps in the future.

  • I guess I do not care either way.  The knowledge of past caps and a summer nationals in a popular location such as California make it sort of a rookie move not to enter early if you swim 200 and above (apologies to the actual rookies who were shut out).  My 1500 in 2013 at Mission Viejo finished after or right around 9pm.  Understandable if they don't want 14 hour days.  Now if they had the will/bucks/volunteers to split in to two 7 hour shifts on longer days, that would be another story.  With that kind of will/bucks/volunteers, you could probably also put 1500 first day and 800 last day and let people swim both.