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Competition Air

The American Legion and the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) have updated the rules for the 2024-2025 Junior 3-Position Air Rifle Tournament. As of this season, Electronic Scoring Targets (EST) are officially authorized for use during both the First Round (State Championship/Postal) and the Second Round (National Qualification).

Previously, these rounds were restricted to paper targets only. This update aligns the American Legion tournament with modern ISSF and NCAA standards by allowing competitors to use the same technology found at the National Championship level.

Authorized Equipment

Clubs may now use the following electronic scoring systems for all rounds of the tournament:

  • Orion Athena
  • Sius AG
  • Megalink
  • Kongsberg (KTS)
  • Meyton
  • DISAG

New Procedures for Electronic Scoring

The submission process varies depending on the specific equipment used by the club.

1. For Orion (Athena) Users

  • Coaches must download the specific Virtual Child Match from the CMP within the Orion software.
  • Scores are submitted directly through the Orion software by clicking "Share Match Directory."
  • No manual score reporting is required on the CMP website for Orion users.

2. For Non-Orion Users (Sius, Megalink, etc.)

  • Clubs must fire the match on their local electronic system.
  • A designated Competition Witness must verify the match conduct.
  • Scores must be manually uploaded via the score reporting link provided on the CMP website.
  • Printouts or data files from the EST system should be retained in case of score challenges.

Important Note: The "Official Match Witness" requirement remains in effect for all formats (Paper and Electronic). A witness must be present to verify that the shooter followed all time limits and fair play regulations.

Action Items for Coaches

  • Verify Registration: Ensure your club selected the correct entry type (Electronic vs. Paper) during the registration process.

  • Check CMP IDs: All firing members must have a valid CMP Competitor ID entered into the scoring software prior to the match to ensure scores upload correctly.

  • Review Official Procedures: Coaches should review the official CMP EST Firing Procedures document before conducting the match.

Registration Closes Dec 15, 2025 Last day to order targets or enter online.
Rd 1 (State) Ends Feb 2, 2026 Targets must be postmarked/submitted by this date.
Rd 2 (Qual) Begins Feb 16, 2026 Targets mailed/files distributed to qualifiers.
Rd 2 (Qual) Ends April 1, 2026 Targets must be postmarked/submitted by this date.
National Championship July 21-25, 2026 Held at Hillsdale College, Michigan.
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The shooting season never truly ends, but the schedule from late 2025 through mid-2026 is heating up. Whether you are aiming for an international medal, a national ranking, or cheering on your favorite collegiate team, the next few months are packed with crucial air rifle tournaments.

To help you plan your training schedule, book your travel, and tune your equipment, we've compiled the essential dates across the three major competitive tracks: International, National, and Collegiate.

The International Stage (ISSF & Major Opens)

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) circuit is the pinnacle of the sport, offering high-stakes competition leading up to major championships. These are the dates where the world’s best will be testing their skills.

EventLocationTentative Dates (Rifle/Pistol Focus)
European Championship 10mOsijek, CroatiaMarch 7 – 13, 2026
ISSF World Cup R/P/SBuenos Aires, ArgentinaApril 1 – 11, 2026
ISSF World Cup Rifle/PistolGranada, SpainApril 5 – 13, 2026
ISSF World Cup Rifle/PistolMunich, GermanyMay 24 – 31, 2026
ISSF Junior World ChampionshipSuhl, GermanyJune 16 – 26, 2026
ISSF World Cup R/P/SHangzhou, ChinaJuly 20 – 29, 2026
16th Asian ChampionshipShymkent, KazakhstanAugust 16 – 30, 2026

Key Takeaway: If you're a high-performance shooter, the Munich World Cup in May is traditionally one of the biggest and most prestigious 10m Air Rifle events outside of a World Championship.

National & Regional Matches (USA Focus)

For U.S.-based competitors, these domestic events are crucial for national rankings, team selection, and high-level experience.

EventOrganizationLocation(s)Tentative Dates
Winter Air Gun (WAG) ChampionshipsUSA Shooting / CMPColorado Springs, CO & Camp Perry, OHDecember 11 – 14, 2025
National Matches Air Gun EventsCMPCamp Perry, OH (Gary Anderson Center)July 14 – August 5, 2026
NRA World Shooting ChampionshipNRACamp Atterbury, INSeptember 30 – Oct 4, 2026

Why it Matters: The Winter Air Gun (WAG) Championships in December serve as a major benchmark, drawing top talent to two concurrent venues. It is a must-attend event for anyone serious about making national teams or setting competitive goals for the new year.

The Collegiate Schedule (NCAA Rifle)

The NCAA Rifle season is incredibly competitive, featuring both 10m Air Rifle and Smallbore events. The regular season runs through the fall and winter, culminating in championships in early spring.

EventLevelHost/LocationTentative Dates
MAC ChampionshipConferenceMIT, Cambridge, MAFebruary 28 – March 1, 2026
NCAA Rifle ChampionshipsNationalHosted by Ohio StateMarch 13 – 14, 2026
Various Dual MeetsNCAA Regular SeasonAcross the US (See team schedules)Oct 2025 – Feb 2026

The Goal: The ultimate prize is the NCAA Rifle Championship in March. Following the intense dual-meet schedule, this event brings together the top collegiate athletes in the country to crown a team champion in both disciplines.

Your Competitive Action Plan

This calendar is more than just a list of dates—it’s a road map for your training.

  1. Set Your A-Game Event: Pick your main focus (e.g., WAG in December or an ISSF World Cup) and structure your training cycle around peaking for that competition.

  2. Use Monthly Matches for Practice: Don't overlook the regularly scheduled CMP Monthly Matches (at Camp Perry, Anniston, and Talladega). These offer a low-stakes environment to test gear, try new techniques, and practice your routine under match pressure.

  3. Watch the Finals: Even if you can't attend, following the Finals for the ISSF and NCAA events (often streamed online) is invaluable for observing elite technique and strategy under pressure.

Ready to start planning? Which of these major tournaments is on your 2026 bucket list? Let us know in the comments!

Disclaimer: All dates are tentative and based on published schedules from the respective governing bodies as of October 2025. Always check the official ISSF, USA Shooting, or CMP websites for the final, confirmed schedules before making travel arrangements.

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