A New Level of Competition
The Signature Sanction program brings more national-level events to high-caliber lifters, giving world-level athletes the chance to compete in premier events outside the yearly international championships. Every Signature Sanction event meets the same standard.
Every event is livestreamed
A live stream is required of every Signature Sanction event.
National Championship officiating
A 3-person jury including at least one IPF Category II or I referee, National Referees or higher on the platform, and a designated Technical Secretary.
American Records are live
Lifters can set Powerlifting America national records on the platform.
Curated fields
A maximum of 28 lifters per session, with the selection process approved by the National Office.
IPF-approved equipment throughout
Lifter attire and platform equipment are IPF-approved, and warm-up room equipment meets IPF rulebook specifications.
A $5,000 minimum prize purse or expo billing
Every event carries a minimum $5,000 purse or a place within a multi-sport expo.
Signature Events
Avancus Houston
Avancus Houston 2026 is a 20 athlete showcase featuring the highest performing raw lifters in the IPF GL system, with athletes selected based on competition performances from January 1, 2025 through June 23, 2026. Following the qualification deadline, the final roster is locked as the top 8 USA athletes, top 1 international athlete, and 1 Avancus wildcard athlete per division, alongside additional reserve athletes. Held at the Stafford Centre, the session serves as the featured event of the weekend with full scale production and livestream coverage.
Hands Across the Sea
Hands Across the Sea is a competition between British Powerlifting and Powerlifting America. This landmark event aims to bring together serving members, veterans, and injured service personnel from both nations in a shared spirit of strength, resilience, and camaraderie.
Browse the Season
Find every Signature Sanction meet on the Powerlifting America calendar and locate the one nearest you.
Host a Signature Sanction Event
Have an event that deserves a Signature Sanction? Approved events receive:
- National record eligibility at your event
- Feature event billing on the Powerlifting America calendar
- A place on this page alongside the season's marquee meets
- Use of the Powerlifting America Signature Sanction logos
- Priority social media posting at the discretion of the National Office
Applications are submitted through the Meet Director Portal a minimum of six months before the event date, and are approved by the National Office and Executive Committee. Portal access requires a meet director login.