This year the Amateur Trapshooting Association will celebrate the 125th edition of the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships, a tournament that attracts thousands of trapshooters every summer to determine the world’s greatest shooter in their sport. The 2024 Grand American World Trapshooting Championship will be held at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois, from July 31 to August 10.
The first Grand American was held at the Interstate Park in Queens, New York, in 1900. For the last 19 years, the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships have been held at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex. Previously, the competition was held in Vandalia, Ohio, from 1923 until 2005. Prior to 1923, the Grand American was held in cities like Chicago, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, and Columbus, Ohio.
At the 2017 Grand American, Steve Comus, the director of publishing for Safari Club International who has been attending the match for more than 50 years, said the following to Shooting Sports USA Editor-in-Chief John Parker: “The Grand is an opportunity to be part of a true community of active shooters. One thing that seems to separate the Grand from many other shooting competitions is that, although there are recognized winners, there really are no losers. Just being there and experiencing the unique energy of the Grand can be gratifying enough for many folks. But there is just something really special about going to the line, calling for a target and then hitting it that’s different at the Grand than at any other shoot.”
More about the history of the ATA Grand American: “Despite depressions, recessions, military conflicts and two pandemics, the Grand American has been held for 125 consecutive years. What started with an “experimental” yardage handicap system in 1900 has become the most recognized, most famous, and most respected annual trapshooting event hosted by the largest and oldest clay target organization in the world.”
According to the ATA website, “the Grand American has grown from a mere 20 competitors in 1900 to more than 5,800 participants in 2006. Over the years, the likes of Annie Oakley, Roy Rogers and John Philip Sousa have participated in the Grand American.”
The NRA will be on site at the 2024 Grand American World Trapshooting Championships. If you’re at the match this summer in Sparta, Illinois, be sure to stop by the NRA’s display, because if you join NRA or renew your membership at this year’s Grand American, you will receive two free boxes of Federal Ammunition commemorative shotshells.
There will be 24 events in total at the 2024 Grand American, including the Grand American Handicap on Saturday, August 10. This 100-target competition is a fan favorite. Additionally, the ATA will crown the World High Over All Champion and World High All Around Champion at the 2024 Grand American.
Pre-squadding for the 2024 Grand American will open on June 17 and close on July 21. Go to shootata.com to learn more.
