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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

    I am heartened to see continued constructive dialog on event caps at nationals.  I am confident the championship committee considered improvements to the cap process at their recent meeting after nationals and will be bringing the issue to the upcoming national meeting.  (The need for caps was anticipated – the committee’s 2025 minutes stated, “Will probably have to limit entries for events 200 and longer if attendance reaches expectations.”)  And, the ways and means of capping are flexible – the rule cited, 104.5.3.C(2), says longer events MAY be capped, but does not dictate HOW.  No need for rule changes for improvement!

    Replies in this thread suggested lots of ways to improve the cap process if needed in the future.  I’ll just emphasize I saw a number of comments requesting a ‘heads up’ early in registration to the possible issue, and transparency during registration and administration of the waitlist.  I have just now replied on the thread I created, "USMS National Pool Championship Endurance Event Caps and Seeding - suggestions for improvement".  Please take a look, and hopefully discussions will continue toward improvements in seeding and caps for the nationals endurance events.

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  • in reply to Erin Sizelove

    I am heartened to see continued constructive dialog on event caps at nationals.  I am confident the championship committee considered improvements to the cap process at their recent meeting after nationals and will be bringing the issue to the upcoming national meeting.  (The need for caps was anticipated – the committee’s 2025 minutes stated, “Will probably have to limit entries for events 200 and longer if attendance reaches expectations.”)  And, the ways and means of capping are flexible – the rule cited, 104.5.3.C(2), says longer events MAY be capped, but does not dictate HOW.  No need for rule changes for improvement!

    Replies in this thread suggested lots of ways to improve the cap process if needed in the future.  I’ll just emphasize I saw a number of comments requesting a ‘heads up’ early in registration to the possible issue, and transparency during registration and administration of the waitlist.  I have just now replied on the thread I created, "USMS National Pool Championship Endurance Event Caps and Seeding - suggestions for improvement".  Please take a look, and hopefully discussions will continue toward improvements in seeding and caps for the nationals endurance events.

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