This summer, the Rogers Convention Center in Rogers, Arkansas, will once again become the epicenter of youth marksmanship as the 2025 Daisy National BB Gun Championship returns from June 29 to July 3. Now in its 58th year, the championship—known simply as the Daisy Nationals—is more than a competition. It’s a celebration of discipline, focus and the kind of sportsmanship that builds character far beyond the firing line.
Each year, teams of kids aged eight to 15 travel from across the country to compete in what is widely considered the most prestigious BB gun match in the world. The competition is fierce, but the atmosphere is electric—part match, part festival and part summer camp, all rolled into one.
At the heart of the Daisy BB Gun Nationals is a five-meter, four-position match sanctioned by the NRA. Competitors fire 10 shots each in standing, sitting, kneeling and prone positions using the Daisy Model 499B BB gun. Each shot is worth up to 10 points. But this isn’t just about hitting bullseyes. Each competitor also takes a written test on firearm safety and shooting knowledge worth 100 points, making the maximum possible score 500 points. It’s a rare blend of physical skill and mental sharpness that sets the Daisy Nationals apart.
This year, the stakes are even higher. Daisy is expanding the Top Gun Shoot-Off, a fan-favorite event introduced last year. The top 10 scorers in both the BB gun and 10-meter air gun divisions will fire an additional 10 shots in the standing position for a chance to win educational funds—money that can be used for college, trade school or another type of continuing education. The top three individual scorers in the main match will also walk away with up to $1,500 in scholarship funds.
And it’s not just individual competitors who benefit. The top three teams will receive Daisy credit—$3,000 for gold, $2,000 for silver and $1,000 for bronze—to upgrade their gear and continue developing their programs. With teams coming from as far as Oregon and as many as 16 states represented, the competition is intense.
The 10-meter air gun match, designed for competitors who have aged out of the BB division, is also getting a boost. For the first time, participants can use Crosman Challenger air guns in addition to Daisy models, a nod to Daisy’s recent acquisition of Crosman.
But the Daisy Nationals isn’t just about competition. It’s a full-blown experience. From the Painted Gun Contest and team costume parades to the Barter Bar—where kids trade hometown trinkets—and a closing night party with a DJ, cornhole and pizza, the social activities are designed to be unforgettable. Sponsored by Academy Sports + Outdoors and the Daisy Museum, the festivities are as much a part of the tradition as the targets themselves.
Teams must earn their way to the Daisy BB Gun Nationals by placing in the top three at qualifying events, and every new team must complete a 10-hour Daisy Shooting Sports Curriculum before ever picking up a BB gun. Most teams are affiliated with NRA, 4-H, the American Legion or local gun clubs, and many have been returning to the Daisy Nationals for more than a decade.
“The Daisy Nationals just gets bigger every year,” Daisy Public Relations Director Lawrence Taylor said. “With Daisy’s acquisition of Crosman last year, we are welcoming Crosman Challengers into the 10-Meter Air Gun this year and they get their own Top Gun Shoot-Off. We’ve never given away this much educational funding.”
Early registration for the 2025 Daisy BB Gun Nationals will begin on June 29, followed by practice sessions and safety testing on June 30. Competition runs July 1–2, with closing ceremonies and celebrations wrapping up on July 3.
For more information or to learn how to start a BB gun team, go to daisynationals.com.
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