The 2026 IPSC Shotgun World Shoot is set to take place in September 2026 in Corinth, Greece, and for competitors looking to represent Team USA, the road to qualification is now clear. The United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) has outlined its selection policy, establishing a merit-based system to determine which shooters will make up the U.S. delegation.
Whether you’re gunning for a team slot, an individual competitor spot, or simply want to know your best shot at participation, this guide breaks down everything you need to know.
Who Can Qualify?
Before diving into the details of selection, competitors must meet these baseline requirements:
✔ Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
✔ Be a USPSA member
✔ Not be under investigation or disciplinary action
If you check all those boxes, you’re eligible to compete for a slot in Team USA.
The Path to Team Selection
The selection process relies on a points-based system, where competitors earn points based on their placement in approved qualifying matches. The higher your performance percentage relative to the match winner, the more points you earn.
How Points Are Calculated:
- A shooter who wins their division in a qualifying match earns 100 points.
- A shooter finishing at 87.098% of the winner’s score would earn 87.098 points.
- Only a competitor’s top three qualifying match scores will be used for selection.
Important: You can only earn points in the division or category you compete in. (For example, Open Division points are only earned from Open Division matches.)
Qualifier Matches: Where to Earn Your Spot
To earn a place on the team, competitors must accumulate points from three of the following six USPSA-approved shotgun matches:
2024 Qualifiers:
- September 2024: Arnzen Arms Minnesota Tactical Shotgun Championships (Completed)
2025 Qualifiers:
- March 2025: Dissident Arms Action Shotgun Championships – Eagle Lake, TX
- May 2025: Tarheel 3 Gun Shotgun Challenge – Clinton, SC
- June 2025: Free State Shotgun Qualifier – De Soto, KS
- August 2025: Gosh Darn Jeff Kirkwold Shotgun Qualifier – Forest Lake, MN
- September 2025: Hornady Shotgun Championship – Grand Island, NE
(More registration details are available on Practiscore and the USPSA Major Matches webpage.)
The 2025 Multigun Nationals and past Shotgun World Shoots will not count toward qualification.
Divisions and Categories for Selection
The USPSA World Shoot Committee will build teams first by division, followed by category-based teams. The IPSC Shotgun rules define the following categories:
✔ Lady (Female competitors)
✔ Super Junior (Under 14 years old)
✔ Junior (Under 18 years old)
✔ Senior (50+ years old)
✔ Super Senior (60+ years old)
✔ Grand Senior (70+ years old)
✔ Lady Senior (Female competitors 50+ years old)
Each team will have four primary shooters and one alternate.
IPSC Shotgun Divisions
Each competitor must compete in one of the following four divisions:
| Division | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Open | No limits on modifications, optical sights allowed, detachable magazines up to 10 rounds at the start (with exceptions). Most modified division. |
| Modified | Optical sights allowed, but must meet factory specifications. No detachable magazines or revolving tubes. Limited to 14 rounds in the gun at the start. |
| Standard | No optical sights, only iron sights allowed. Maximum 9 rounds loaded at the start. Fixed magazine only. |
| Standard Manual | Pump-action/manual action only. No semi-autos. Max 9 rounds loaded at the start. Iron sights only. |
Additional Equipment and Modification Rules
- Optical/Electronic Sights: Only Open and Modified divisions allow red dots or electronic sights.
- Compensators, Ports, or Flash Suppressors: Only Open division allows these modifications.
- Extended Magazine Tubes: Only Open division allows detachable magazines. Modified, Standard, and Standard Manual must use fixed magazine tubes.
- Revolving Magazine Tubes: Only allowed in Open.
- Speed Loaders: Only allowed in Open (max 6 rounds per loading device).
- Overall Length Limits: Open and Modified must fit inside a 1320mm (52-inch) box when unloaded.
- Specialized Loading Ramps: Modified allows some minor modifications for easier reloading, but they cannot exceed 75mm in length or 32mm protrusion.
How This Affects Your Shotgun Setup
Depending on which division you plan to compete in, you may need to adjust your gear to meet IPSC regulations.
For Open Division Shooters
- Optics are allowed, so a red dot or reflex sight can be an advantage.
- Detachable box magazines (up to 12 rounds capacity, but only 10 rounds loaded) can be used.
- Speed loaders are permitted, meaning faster reloads.
- Extended compensators and ports are legal, which can help reduce recoil for faster follow-up shots.
For Modified Division Shooters
- Optical sights are allowed, but shotguns must remain mostly factory-configured.
- No detachable magazines, so tube-fed reloads are required.
- A 14-round limit applies for initial loading before the start signal.
For Standard Division Shooters
- Only iron sights are allowed—no red dots.
- Max 9 rounds loaded at the start, requiring reloads sooner.
- No compensators or external modifications—recoil management comes down to gun fit, stance, and technique.
For Standard Manual (Pump) Shooters
- Must use a manual-action shotgun (pump).
- No semi-autos allowed.
- Max 9 rounds loaded at the start, so reload efficiency is critical.
How to Apply
Competitors must submit their application through IPSC-USA.com by October 1, 2025. After this deadline, no guarantees can be made for a slot, even if a shooter is qualified.
Selections will be finalized and publicly announced by December 1, 2025.
Final Thoughts: Your Road to Greece
Earning a spot at the 2026 IPSC Shotgun World Shoot is no small task, but the roadmap is clear:
✅ Compete in the right matches
✅ Perform at a high level
✅ Submit your application before the deadline
If you’re serious about representing Team USA, now is the time to start training, planning your match schedule, and securing your best performances at the approved qualifiers.
For more details, check out USPSA.org and start prepping for Greece!
