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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.

Parents

  • 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

    The way this was done is absolutely ridiculous for multiple reasons:

    First off, there was no cutoff given in the meet info - when someone is trying to decide whether to go to the meet, they need to be able to watch the number.

    Second, the number in the men's and women's athletes is not equal in the cutoff events, which is insane.

    Third, the number is not even a multiple of 8, so what is going on there?

    Fourth, it is 2 days before the meet and according to email reply, they still haven't decided on some waitlist people.  How are people supposed to make travel plans?  One email said they will be letting people know as they come off the waitlist, and a next email asking when they would know was not replied to.  And there has been nothing about the waitlist in the email updates.  Horrible communication.

    Fifth, this is a national championship meet.  If numbers are an issue, the qualifying times should be a lot faster and should be enforced in all events.  This isn't just some average meet.  This is supposed to be a national championship.  How do you not allow the fastest person in an event to swim when they entered the meet before the entry deadline?

    I question whether the USMS staff has any prior experience running meets.  They should have people who have run USA Swimming Nationals in the past involved and advising, at a minimum.

  • in reply to 03WKA

    I will add a sixth...

    How can USMS be allowing a 6th event for people before allowing a waitlist event which, at least in some cases, is only a second event?

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