2026 USA Powerlifting Southwest Regional Championships


Resource
Registration * USAPL Regionals Homepage

Qualifying Totals Record Database Link

USAPL Rulebook Sent Emails
Changes & Cancellations (For more info, see the Changes & Withdrawals section below. Email requests will not be processed.)
Media Package

 

* Please read all information provided on this page before registering. By completing your registration, you acknowledge and agree that entries are non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions will be made if you withdraw from the competition.

 

Official Athlete Guide

Welcome to the 2026 USAPL Southwest Regionals!

This page serves as the official athlete guide for the competition and will be updated as additional information becomes available. All registered athletes are responsible for reviewing this page regularly for updates.

Southwest Regionals is one of the premier USA Powerlifting championship events and serves as a qualifier for the 2026 USAPL Raw Nationals.

Quick Facts

Competition Dates: September 4–6, 2026

Venue: Hyatt Regency DFW Airport – Dallas, Texas

Competition Format: Full Meet (Squat, Bench Press & Deadlift) Only

National Qualifier: Yes

American Records: Eligible

Adaptive & MX Divisions: Eligible

Southwest Region

The Southwest Region includes the following states:

  • Arkansas

  • Arizona

  • Louisiana

  • New Mexico

  • Oklahoma

  • Texas

Eligibility Requirements

To compete, all athletes must meet the following requirements:

1. USA Powerlifting Membership

A valid 2026 USA Powerlifting Membership is required.

You may register with an expired membership; however, it must be renewed before the meet.

2. Drug-Free Requirement

All athletes must have been drug-free for the previous 36 months.

3. Qualifying Total (QT)

A qualifying total must be earned on or before August 4, 2026.

Your qualifying total must:

  • Be achieved at a USA Powerlifting-sanctioned 3-lift competition

  • Be earned between January 1, 2025 and August 4, 2026

  • Be achieved in the division you intend to compete in

A qualifying total earned at a 2025 Regional or National Championship is acceptable.

Competition Standards

Southwest Regionals follows the same rules and procedures as USAPL Nationals.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Meet procedures

  • Approved equipment

  • Approved apparel

  • Weigh-ins

  • Attempts

  • Coaching

  • Warm-up area access [link]

  • Competition conduct

All athletes are expected to be familiar with the current USAPL Rulebook [link] before arriving at the competition.

Venue & Hotel

Hyatt Regency DFW Airport

The official hotel and competition venue are located at DFW Airport (Terminal C).

The hotel offers:

  • Complimentary airport shuttle service

  • Easy access from all DFW terminals

  • Convenient access to downtown Dallas

  • FREE parking for both hotel guests and day visitors

Hotel Booking:
[Discounted Room Rate]

Parking Instructions:
[Parking Garage Instructions]

Venue Directions:
[Directions Inside the Venue]

Competition Schedule

Southwest Regionals is a three-day, one-platform championship.

The competition is planned for two sessions per day, with each session capped at approximately 45 lifters.

The preliminary schedule will be released once registration reaches approximately 80% capacity or 6–8 weeks before the competition, whichever comes first.

Please refer to the Meet Update email sent on July 6 [HERE] for the latest tentative session projections based on current registration numbers. These projections are intended to assist with travel planning and are subject to change until registration closes and the final schedule is published.

Day Session 1 Session 2
Friday, September 4 TBA TBA
Saturday, September 5 TBA TBA
Sunday, September 6 TBA TBA

Session assignments are tentative and subject to change based on registration.

Warm-Up Area & Coaching

This is a one-platform competition with three designated warm-up areas.

Warm-up area access is restricted in accordance with the USAPL Rulebook.

Only current USA Powerlifting members in good standing are permitted in restricted areas, including:

  • Athletes

  • Coaches

  • Referees

  • Officials

Each athlete may have up to two (2) coaches or handlers in the warm-up area.

Additional warm-up area procedures, coach check-in requirements, and wristband information will be provided before the competition.

[Link]

Media & Photography

  • Southwest Regionals follows the official USAPL Media Policy.
  • Professional cameras and video cameras are not permitted without prior approval.
  • Professional cameras and video equipment are strictly prohibited in the warm-up area.

The official event photographer and videographer is:

Reserve your media package here: [Photography & Video Package]

Questions regarding photography and media packages: stellarshotsstl@gmail.com

The competition will also be livestreamed on the Texas Strength Systems YouTube channel.

Guest Lifters

If your USA Powerlifting membership address is outside Arkansas, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas, you will compete as a Guest Lifter.

Guest Lifters may:

  • Compete in the championship

  • Set American Records

  • Set State Records

  • Earn qualifying totals for Nationals

Guest Lifters are not eligible for:

  • Awards

  • Best Lifter

  • Pro Cards

All Guest Lifters must meet the same qualifying and membership requirements as all other competitors.

Weight Class & Division Changes

Weight class and division changes must be completed through the USA Powerlifting Registration Portal.

Deadline:
August 21, 2026 – 11:00 PM Central Time

No weight class changes are permitted after the 14-day deadline in accordance with the USAPL Rulebook.

If an athlete does not make weight at weigh-ins, they may compete as a Guest Lifter in accordance with USAPL rules.

Withdrawals & Refund Policy

Athletes who need to withdraw may do so through the USA Powerlifting Registration Portal.

All registrations are non-refundable.

No refunds will be issued under any circumstances.

Admission

Admission information will be announced closer to the event.

Questions

Please review the following resources before contacting the Meet Director:

  • Southwest Regionals Athlete Guide

  • USAPL Regionals Website

  • USAPL Rulebook

Most questions regarding meet procedures, equipment, weigh-ins, attempts, qualifying totals, apparel, coaching, and competition policies are answered in these resources.

If your question is not addressed after reviewing the available information, please contact us at:

📧 meets@texasstrengthsystems.com