Sanction Application Process

Our new event sanction system launched on March 11, 2026

Our updated event sanction system has been launched, and you can start applying for USMS event sanctions/recognitions, calendar listings, or other event listings today.
You can find details on what has changed on our webpage and in our video overview. We made these changes based on feedback from event directors like you, volunteers, and swimmers.
Thank you for running your event with us. You provided our members with opportunities to compete, set goals, meet other swimmers, and have fun outside of their workouts. We hope our new event sanction system will make sanctioning an event much easier for you. Please email events@usmastersswimming.org if you have any questions.

General Sanction Information

We have written an Overview and General Sanction Information document for LMSC sanctions chairs that contains good information to ensure a well-run and properly reported competition takes place as sanctioning and recognizing events are a crucial function of USMS.
Dual-Sanctioning a USA Swimming Meet
- Official Rules Interpretation - Dual-Sanctioned Meets
Labeling Relays in the Meet Information to ensure they count for USMS Top 10
Open water event organizers should first review the open water event management page with the guide to operations, benefits of sanctioning, safety plan details, etc.

The meet announcement contains all the meet information. This template includes all the required and recommended elements of a meet announcement according to the USMS rule book. The purpose is to give meet hosts and sanction chairs and easy-to-use tool for creating a complete and accurate meet announcement for a USMS sanctioned meet.

Effective Jan. 1, 2025 pool and open water event sanction fees have been eliminated. Refer to the Sanction Fee Grid for more information.
Your LMSC may charge a local fees (sanction and/or one-event), please contact your LMSC Sanction Chair about fees associated with hosting a meet.

LMSCs have the option to offer one-event registrations at events sanctioned by their own LMSC. A one event registration provides USMS insurance coverage to a participant in one "event" (open water race or pool meet). More details, instructions, and information can be found on our One Event Memberships page. Your LMSC may charge a local one event fee, please contact your LMSC Sanction Chair about fees associated with hosting a meet.

The Open Water Event Management section contains useful information for event directors covering all aspects of running a safe, fun, and successful event. If you have further questions about open water events, contact Event Services.

Check out the Open Water Event Steps and Checklists, which are designed to walk you through the process from start to finish when creating and running an Open Water Event.

Add a New Event

Log in to your event dashboard to apply for an event sanction/recognition, add a future event to the calendar, or request a listing for other types of events.

Sanction/Recognition - this will stay the same
Calendar Listing - this is for any event that is planning to be sanctioned or recognized but is hoping to get promoted now (even if all the documents aren't ready)
Other - any event that is not applying for a sanction or recognition but is hoping to show on the calendar

USMS Event Application