The USPSA Nationals for 2026 will be split into two separate events. This follows the decision previously made to reduce the number of events from three to two, stacking the divisions based on their reported activities. The two most popular USPSA divisions, Carry Optics and Limited Optics, were paired with the remaining seven divisions to create the Factory Gun and Race Gun matches, the same as in 2025.
The division activity for 2025 stacked up as follows:
- Carry Optics – 37%
- Limited Optics – 28%
- Open – 13%
- Pistol-Caliber Carbine (PCC) – 8%
- Limited – 5%
- Production – 5%
- Single Stack – 2%
- Revolver – 1%
- Limited 10 – 1%
For the 2026 season, the locations flip for the matches, with Race Gun moving to the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio, in August. Factory Gun Nationals will follow in September in Hurricane, Utah, at the Southern Practical Shooting range. Each match will consist of 36 13-person squads for the main match (468 slots)
Due to the high demand for slots, a decision was made to offer a limited number of early match squads. For members trying to register during open registration, approximately six squads (72 slots) will be able to compete on the two days leading up to the main match. These squads will have assigned Range Officers who will move with the squads throughout those two days. The competition will run all day long, unlike the three-day main match, which will be broken into three half-day sessions.
The Vortex Optics Race Gun Nationals Presented by Kimber will pair Open, PCC, Limited, Limited Optics and L10 together, heading to the Cardinal Shooting Center. As the name implies, all the Race Gun divisions will be grouped together for competition in August. The early match starts on August 19–20, followed by the main match on August 21–23. The name “Race Gun” refers to the high capacity, fewer restrictions and customizations associated with these five divisions.
The SIG Sauer Factory Gun Nationals Presented by Berry’s Bullets will follow, with the early match taking place on September 16–17 and the main match on September 18–20. This match is for USPSA members who want to compete in Carry Optics, Single Stack, Revolver or Production divisions. The name “Factory Gun” refers to the off-the-shelf nature of these divisions, which have more restrictions on the modifications allowed.
Slots for both events are generated according to the Slot Policy, based on Performance Earned and Activity-Based criteria. Performance Earned slots are awarded to members based on their finish in a division, class or category at the previous year’s USPSA Nationals or their Area Championship. Up to the top 10 competitors in each division at the previous year’s Nationals will earn a returning preregistration invitation for the match in which that division is recognized, based on the number of participants.
One slot is awarded for every 10 participants, up to 10 per division for Nationals and one slot per recognized division for each Area Championship in a person’s home area. Similarly, a slot is awarded to the top Class and Category winners in each division from Nationals, as well as each Area Championship from the prior year. Recognition is based on Appendix A2 of the USPSA Rulebook. A Division and Class must have at least 10 participants in a Division, 10 in a Class and five in a Category to be recognized.
Each USPSA Section and independent club (clubs not associated with a Section) is awarded slots based on reported activities from the previous year. According to current USPSA bylaws, Sections must award slots based on their Section bylaws, which should always consider placements in shooting events. Additionally, club membership and assistance at events may also be considered, but slots may never be awarded by lot. Section bylaws must be submitted to the Area Director and the National Office.
These slots are generated and sent to the individual Performance Earners, Sections and independent clubs each year following a set schedule ahead of pre-registration and open registration.
RACE GUN
- Performance, Section and Independent Club slots will be sent on February 1.
- Pre-registration will open on March 7.
- Open registration will open on April 18.
FACTORY GUN
- Performance, Section and Independent Club slots will be sent out by March 1.
- Pre-registration opens on April 4.
- Open registration opens on May 16.
USPSA members who earned a slot will be able to sign up during the pre-registration period. The slot codes will expire when open registration begins. The remaining slots, based on unused pre-registration slots, will be available for members to sign up during open registration.
If you didn’t earn a slot, you should double-check with your Section Coordinator on how activity-based slots are being distributed within your Section.
Article from the January/February 2026 issue of USPSA’s magazine.
