The women's sabre event at the 2020 Summer Olympics took place on 26 July 2021 at the Makuhari Messe.

The reigning World Champion was Olha Kharlan of Ukraine (also the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist).

[3] A National Olympic Committee (NOC) could enter up to 3 qualified fencers in the women's sabre.

Finally, 4 spots are allocated by continental qualifying events: 1 from Europe, 1 from the Americas, 1 from Asia/Oceania, and 1 from Africa.

[2][4] The 1996 tournament had vastly simplified the competition format into a single-elimination bracket, with a bronze medal match.

The first session ran from 9 a.m. to approximately 4:20 p.m. (when the quarterfinals were expected to conclude), after which there was a break until 6 p.m. before the semifinals and medal bouts were held.