South Jersey FC Claims Fourth Consecutive USA Fistball National Championship

Hackettstown, NJ — Wind and rain may have been the backdrop, but neither could dampen the energy surrounding the 2026 USA Fistball National Championships.

The nation's top four fistball clubs gathered in Hackettstown, New Jersey, this past weekend for the annual championship, bringing together athletes, coaches, families, and fans for a weekend filled with competitive fistball and the festive atmosphere of the Hackettstown Oktoberfest.

For the second consecutive year, the USA Fistball National Championships were held as part of the Hackettstown Oktoberfest, providing a unique setting for the country's premier fistball competition.

Pool Play Sets the Stage

The day began with all four teams competing in pool play. South Jersey Fistball Club (SJFC), Wisconsin Fistball Association (WFA), Phoenix Sports Club, and Swim and Sports Club (SSC) battled for positioning and a spot in the semifinals.

Pool play results:

• South Jersey FC 2, Phoenix Sports Club 0 — 11-7, 11-9

• Wisconsin Fistball Association 2, Swim and Sports Club 0 — 11-5, 11-6

• Phoenix Sports Club 2, Swim and Sports Club 0 — 12-10, 11-8

• South Jersey FC 1, Wisconsin Fistball Association 1 — 7-11, 11-9

• Wisconsin Fistball Association 2, Phoenix Sports Club 0 — 11-4, 12-10

• South Jersey FC 2, Swim and Sports Club 0 — 11-4, 11-6

  
  

The results set up a pair of semifinal matchups featuring four teams that had battled throughout the morning for the opportunity to compete for a national championship.

Wisconsin Advances to the Final

The first semifinal featured Wisconsin Fistball Association and Swim and Sports Club.

SSC battled throughout the match, but Wisconsin was able to control both sets and advance to the championship match with a 2-0 victory.

The second semifinal brought together South Jersey Fistball Club and Phoenix Sports Club in a matchup between two of the country's top programs. South Jersey jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Phoenix refused to go quietly. The Phoenix squad battled back to take the third set, forcing SJFC to close out the match. South Jersey ultimately held on to take the match and advance to the championship final.

Phoenix Takes Third Place

After falling in the semifinal, Phoenix Sports Club bounced back in the third-place match against Swim and Sports Club. Phoenix controlled the match from the start, earning a 2-0 victory to finish third at the 2026 USA Fistball National Championships.

South Jersey FC Makes History

The championship final was a rematch of last year's championship match, once again pitting South Jersey Fistball Club against the Wisconsin Fistball Association.

The opening two sets were closely contested, but South Jersey was able to come out on top in both and take a 2-0 lead. Wisconsin responded in the third set, keeping its championship hopes alive by taking the set and forcing a fourth. The fourth set, however, belonged to South Jersey. SJFC closed out the match to secure the championship and make history as four-time consecutive USA Fistball National Champions.

The victory marks South Jersey's fourth consecutive national championship, extending an impressive run of success at the highest level of American fistball.

A Championship Weekend in Hackettstown

While the weather provided an additional challenge for the athletes, the atmosphere surrounding the event remained energetic throughout the weekend.

The championship was once again held in conjunction with the Hackettstown Oktoberfest, creating a festive environment for both fistball fans and the larger community.

Czig Meister Brewing Company was on hand for the celebration, while the Hackettstown EMT Rescue Squad provided hot dogs, hamburgers, and other sandwiches for players and spectators.

The combination of high-level fistball, Oktoberfest activities, food, and community support helped make the weekend a memorable celebration of the sport in the United States.

Looking Ahead to Chile

For many of the athletes who competed in Hackettstown, the 2026 National Championships are only the beginning of an even busier international stretch.

Several members of South Jersey FC will now turn their attention toward the IFA Fistball Club World Cup, which will take place in Llanquihue, Chile, October 29–November 1.

They will be joined by fellow U.S. national team athletes from the Wisconsin Fistball Association and Phoenix Sports Club as American players prepare for another major international competition.

Following the Club World Cup, the U.S. National Team will head to Santiago, Chile, for the 2026 Pan-American Fistball Championship, November 4–8.

With the national championship now decided, the American fistball community turns its attention south, where many of the country's top athletes will once again take the court representing their clubs and Team USA.

Thank You, Hackettstown!

The 2026 USA Fistball National Championships would not have been possible without the support of the many people who helped make the weekend a success.

A special thank you goes to the USFA Board for organizing and coordinating the tournament and helping bring together the country's top fistball clubs for another national championship.

We would also like to thank the Hackettstown American Legion for providing the venue and welcoming USA Fistball back to Hackettstown for the second consecutive year.

And, of course, thank you to all of the fans, family members, friends, and supporters who braved the wind and rain to come out and cheer on the athletes. Your energy and enthusiasm helped create the atmosphere that makes the USA Fistball National Championships such a special event.

From the players on the court to the volunteers, organizers, venue staff, and fans in the stands, it truly took a community to make this championship weekend possible.