National Championship
September 23-26, 2026
Erie, Pennsylvania
SPECTATORS: ALWAYS FREE ADMISSION!
No tickets are required. Come out when you can, stay as long as you want, and join us in cheering on our amazing first responders taking it to the challenge course for bragging rights. See our full event schedule below.
Every day features some amazing athletes and teams! We do recommend our Saturday morning main event since it is considered ‘the toughest two minutes in sports’, featuring the fastest athletes in each division, age, and gender subcategory going head-to-head for national titles.
*Photo: Patrick Grab
Click the link below to learn more about volunteering at the event:
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
ATHLETE INFORMATION
Welcome to Erie for the Snap-tite Hose 2026 U.S. National Championship event in the TFT® Firefighter Challenge Championship Series. This event is Presented by Snap-tite Hose.
There are FOUR audiences eligible to compete in Erie this September:
- Regional Qualified Athletes: This event is by ‘invitation only’. Athletes eligible to compete will have received an email advising them of their eligibility. Our system will only allow these athletes to register.
- Firefighters from the West and Southwest Regions: In lieu of the regional events previously cancelled by the US Police & Fire Games, firefighters from the West and Southwest Regions who were unable to compete regionally are welcome to come to Erie to earn their regional titles and records for the season, and vie for U.S. National titles.
- Pennsylvania Firefighters: Any firefighter from Pennsylvania who has not qualified at a regional event is eligible to compete for Pennsylvania specific awards only to determine the BEST in the state.
- International Competitors: Firefighters from Canada are welcome to cross Lake Erie and take on the course for the opportunity to compete for awards in their own special categories.
Rules, Regulation and Play
Our Guide to the Challenge provides you with a comprehensive overview and understanding of our competition series, including all rules, regulations, awards, records, schedule, and more. Everything you need to know all in one document! We recommend you read this from beginning to end so you are fully prepared to take the Challenge.
Event Site Address:
Downtown Erie in Perry Square
601 State Street (general area)
Erie, Pa 16501
Our event site is on the barricaded portion of State Street that sits between the two parks.
Daily Schedule
Tuesday:
2:00PM to 7:00PM: Open Practice
6:00PM to 9:00PM: Welcome event, Centennial Hall, 145 West 11th Street, Erie, PA 16501
Wednesday:
7:00AM: Open Practice
8:00AM to Until: Individual Category Qualifying Rounds
Thursday:
7:00AM: Open Practice
7:00AM: Open 8:00AM to NOON: Individual Category Qualifying Rounds continued
1:00PM: Tandem Team Category Title Championship
Friday:
7:00AM: Practice
8:00AM: Relay Category Championship Event Pennsylvania Fire Service Showdown integrated
6:30PM: Awards Ceremony Dinner for Tandem and Relay Categories, Points Champions, and Rookies of the Year
Erie Insurance Campus, 100 Erie Insurance Place, Erie, PA 16530
9:00PM: After Party, Location TBD
Saturday:
8:30AM: Opening Ceremony
9:00AM – 1:00PM: Individual Category Championship Title Finale
Awards Ceremony course side
REGISTRATION RATES
Rate: just $65.00 ‘per category’ registration
**Each athlete serving on a Tandem or Relay team must register and pay for their seat on the team!
This event is by ‘invitation only’. Athletes eligible to compete will have received an email advising them of their eligibility. Our system will only allow these athletes to register.
