Powerlifting United Nationals draws 300 lifters

Powerlifting United’s 2026 National Championships begin May 16 at the Westin San Antonio North, with 300 lifters listed on the official roster for a two-day meet in Texas. The federation’s event page says competition runs May 16-17, and eligibility was limited to athletes who posted qualifying totals at sanctioned meets during the qualifying window. (powerliftingunited.com) Muscle & Fitness reported the meet carries a $10,000 prize purse and described it as the federation’s first sold-out nationals. The roster published on LiftingCast shows sessions split across two platforms on Saturday and Sunday. (liftingcast.com) ### Why are there 300 lifters at this meet? (powerliftingunited.com) LiftingCast lists “Total Lifters: (300)” for the 2026 Powerlifting United National Championships, with entries spread across multiple flights and sessions over two days. The field includes men and women competing in full-power divisions under the federation’s national championship format. Powerlifting United said athletes could not enter without a qualifying total recorded during the period from October 1, 2024, through March 31, 2026. The federation also said there would be no open registration period for the 2026 nationals, making qualification mandatory for every entrant. (powerliftingunited.com) ### How is the national title decided? Muscle & Fitness reported that Powerlifting United will determine results by combining each athlete’s best squat, bench press and deadlift into a total, then applying a DOTS coefficient to compare lifters by bodyweight. The outlet said the highest DOTS score in each category wins. (liftingcast.com) Muscle & Fitness also reported that awards are scheduled for the top three finishers by gender in each weight class, age group, division and equipment category. The article said best-lifter awards are available in Youth, Junior, Open, Sub-Masters and Masters categories when at least five athletes are registered in the same grouping. (powerliftingunited.com) ### Where is the meet being held, and what does entry cost? Powerlifting United lists the venue as the Westin San Antonio North at 9821 Colonnade Blvd. in San Antonio. The federation’s event page says registration cost $195 per lifter, with a $45 crossover fee for additional events. (muscleandfitness.com) The event page says the hotel offered discounted rooms at $134 per night and that the venue is 8.4 miles from San Antonio International Airport. Daily hotel parking is listed at $10. ### Who are organizers and sponsors highlighting before the first lifts? (muscleandfitness.com) Muscle & Fitness said Powerlifting United President Ana Perez called the meet the organization’s “first sold-out Nationals.” Perez said in the article, “We are looking forward to bringing PLU Nationals to San Antonio,” and thanked the federation’s community for its support. (powerliftingunited.com) Muscle & Fitness also said sponsors for the event include Animal, the U.S. Army and Repmax. The article said record attempts are expected across several weight classes during the weekend. (powerliftingunited.com) ### How is the weekend schedule laid out? LiftingCast shows three competition sessions across May 16 and May 17, with two platforms running in each session. Saturday’s schedule begins at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., while Sunday’s session begins at 8 a.m., according to the roster page. The official roster page identifies athletes by flight and platform, giving spectators and competitors a session-by-session schedule before weigh-ins and lifting begin. (muscleandfitness.com) Powerlifting United’s event listing says the championships conclude on May 17 in San Antonio. (liftingcast.com)