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.
National Championship
September 23-26, 2026 in Erie, Pennsylvania
The heat, the heart, the hustle... it’s coming back.
Snap-tite Hose is proud to present the 2026 U.S. National Firefighter Challenge Championship, where elite firefighters from across the country converge in Erie, Pennsylvania to test their grit on the world’s most demanding firefighting competition stage.
A Celebration of Fire Service Excellence
This isn’t just competition — it’s a tribute to courage, fitness, teamwork, and the unshakeable resolve that defines the firefighting profession. Snap-tite Hose stands with firefighters every day on the fireground, and we’re thrilled to bring the national championship to our community.
Admission is free. Spectators can join in downtown Erie for four days of awe-inspiring athleticism, strategy, and fire service camaraderie.
Athlete Information
This event is invitation only for competitors who have qualified through designated regional events. Qualified athletes will receive a VIP registration link via email following their qualifying competition.
Pennsylvania firefighters: If you don’t qualify for national titles but still want to compete, special state-level awards and opportunities are available — talk about bragging rights at home!
Rules, Regulation and Play
Competing athletes should download and review the official Challenge Guide, which contains all rules, regulations, scheduling, awards, and competition formats. Being prepared equals performing your best.
Event Date:
September 23-26, 2026
Event Site Address:
Daily Schedule
Tuesday:
2:00PM to 7:00PM: Open Practice
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
Saturday:
8:30AM: Opening Ceremony
9:00AM – 1:00PM: Individual Category Championship Title Finale
Awards Ceremony course side
Registration Rates
Early Bird Rate: just $55.00 ‘per category’ registration (must register 21+ days before the first day of the event)
Regular Rate: $70.00 ‘per category’ registration (when registering less than 21 days before the first day of the event).
**Each athlete serving on a Tandem or Relay team must register and pay for their seat on the team!
NOTE: Athletes already registered for the event may add additional subcategory runs onsite at the event at the early-bird rate!
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.
Primary National Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsors
