Are these fights real or staged?

Real! Every bout at Passage of Arms is a genuine, full-contact HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) competition. Nothing is choreographed. These are elite swordfighters testing their skill against one another in front of a live audience, the same way combat sports have always been fought.

Every fighter wears modern, rigorously tested protective gear, and the bouts are officiated under modified HEMA tournament rules.

I’ve never practiced or watched HEMA. Will I understand what’s going on?

Absolutely! That’s exactly who this event is for. Passage of Arms is designed for a general audience, not just swordfighers. You don’t need to know a single technique to enjoy the night.

Every fight is called by a professional commentator who explains what’s happening in plain language, and slo-mo instant replay on a large screen breaks down the key exchanges so you catch every detail.

Is this event family-friendly?

Yes! All ages are welcome. This is a combat sport, so the action is intense and the hits are real, but we keep the atmosphere family-friendly and strive to keep things clean. You can expect little to no blood, and the focus is on skill, athleticism, and sportsmanship rather than spectacle.

What time do doors open?

Doors open at 6:15 PM for General Admission. VIP ticket holders get early entry at 5:45 PM; grab your ringside seat and settle in before the crowd arrives. Fights begin at 7:00 PM sharp.

How long is the event?

Plan for the full evening. Doors open at 6:15 PM (5:45 for VIP), the first fight starts at 7:00 PM, and the night runs until roughly 10:00pm.

Is there parking at the venue?

Yes, Blueground Studios has its own parking lot on site. There’s a $20 parking fee per vehicle, so we recommend carpooling with friends to split the cost and make the entrance smoother for everyone.

What’s the difference between General Admission and VIP?

VIP gets you the full fight-night experience:

• Ringside seating, closest to the action, with the best view of every exchange
• Early entry at 5:45pm. Beat the GA line and get settled before doors open at 6:15
• 30-minute post-fight meet and greet with the fighters after the final bout

General Admission gives you full access to every fight on the card, with professional commentary and slo-mo replay on the big screen included. VIP is the upgrade for fans who want the closest seats and a chance to meet the swordfighters up close.

Are the swords sharp?

No. Every fighter competes with standard HEMA training weapons. Blunt tournament swords specifically designed for safe full-contact sparring. These are blunt steel blades with flexible, rounded tips, built to absorb the impact of real, powerful strikes without cutting.

The steel is real and the hits are real, but the blades are purpose-built for sport. Combined with modern protective gear, that’s what makes full-contact historical swordsmanship possible (and safe!) for the athletes.

Which swords will the fighters be using?

The card features four weapon disciplines across the night:

• Longsword — the iconic two-handed sword of medieval Europe
• Rapier & Dagger — the elegant, precise dueling sword of the Renaissance with the classic off-hand parrying combo
• Saber — the fast, slashing cavalry blade
• Messer — the single-edged fighting knife-sword of the German tradition