As a parent navigating the world of competitive air rifle, you know that the Road to Camp Perry is the heartbeat of our season. Whether your junior is shooting Sporter (standard configuration, no specialized suits) or Precision (Olympic-style gear), the window to qualify for the National Championship is closing fast.

The Path to Nationals: How to Qualify

To make it to the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center in Ohio this summer, athletes must navigate the State Championship route. These matches are held locally between January 15 and April 15, 2026.

1. The Automatic "At-Large" Qualifying Scores

If your athlete doesn't win the state title outright, they can still qualify by hitting these specific "At-Large" benchmarks. Note: These scores have been adjusted upward for 2026 to reflect the rising level of national competition.

2. The State Winner Route

• The Winners: The top Precision team and top Sporter team in each state, plus the top individual not on a qualifying team, earn an invitation.
• The Floor: Even a state winner must meet the Minimum Qualification Score to attend:
• Precision: 550 Individual / 2200 Team
• Sporter: 500 Individual / 2000 Team

2026 Key Dates: Mark Your Calendars

Don't confuse these with the "Rimfire Sporter" matches held in late July/August. The Three-Position Air Rifle Nationals happen earlier in the summer:

• Sporter Air Rifle Nationals: June 18 – 20, 2026 (Camp Perry, OH)
• Precision Air Rifle Nationals: July 9 – 11, 2026 (Camp Perry, OH)
• State Qualifier Results Deadline: All scores must be received by the CMP by April 22, 2026.

Ongoing State Qualifiers (March/April 2026)

We are currently in the peak of the state championship season. Here are a few upcoming match windows:

• Virginia: Matches are running through late March 
• Tennessee: High School State Championships wrapped up in early March.
• North Dakota/South Carolina: Several sanctioned matches are scheduled through the first week of April.

Parent to Parent: Keep an Eye on the Rules

If you are headed to Nationals, remember that CMP uses the National Standard Three-Position Air Rifle Rules.

Important: The 2024–2026 rulebook is in effect. If your athlete is in the Precision class, pay close attention to the clothing regulations. It’s better to check your gear at home with a weight/taper gauge than to find out you're non-compliant in the middle of Ohio!

Good luck to everyone finishing up their state matches!