The 2026 IDPA National Championship is locked in. Are you ready?
If you’ve been grinding sanctioned matches all year, counting stages and stacking points, your moment is coming. The 2026 IDPA National Championship Presented by JP Enterprises goes down September 24–26, 2026 at The Cardinal Center in Marengo, Ohio. Three days, hundreds of competitors, and the best defensive pistol shooting in the country — all on one range.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about the 2026 IDPA Nationals match, and more importantly, how to make sure you’re in the conversation for 2027 Nationals before the points window closes.
2026 IDPA National Championship:
- When: September 24–26, 2026
- Where: The Cardinal Center — 3389 County Road 225, Marengo, OH 43334
- Format: Competitors shoot either all day Thursday OR Friday and Saturday (split days). You’ll be assigned when you register.
- Match Director: Noel Gardner, with AMDs Skip Darden and Bryant Brough running the show alongside him.
- Title Sponsor: JP Enterprises
- Registration: Opened April 20, 2026 at 9AM Central — and closes May 31, 2026 at 5PM Central. If you haven’t signed up yet, you need to move right now.
One thing to know: You don’t pay your entry fee when you register. You register, then IDPA HQ approves you based on your accumulated points. Approvals happen in batches. Once approved, then you pay.
The Founders’ Reception
This year adds something special — a Founders’ Reception on Friday night from 7–9PM, featuring IDPA founders John Sayle, Bill Wilson, and Ken Hackathorn talking about the creation and evolution of the sport. If you’re a student of the game, this alone is worth the trip.
The Points System: How IDPA Selects Competitors
Here’s where it gets real. Nationals isn’t first-come, first-served. Slots are awarded based on points, and understanding how those points work is the key to getting to Nationals.
The Points Window – Sectioned matches shot now account for 2027 Nationals
Points for the 2027 National Championship accumulate from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. That window is open now. Every sanctioned match you shoot between now and next May 31st is building your case for a spot in the 2027 IDPA Nationals match.
How Points Are Earned by Match Tier
IDPA uses a tiered match system. The higher the tier, the more points on the table:
| Match Tier | Points Awarded |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Local Club Match) | 1 point |
| Tier 2 (Larger Sanctioned Match) | 2 points |
| Tier 3 (State Championship Level) | 2 points |
| Tier 4 (Regional Championship) | 3 points |
| Tier 5 (National Championship) | 4 points |
The math is simple: shoot more sanctioned matches, earn more points. But the strategy matters too. Stacking Tier 4 regional matches is the fastest way to build your total. A single regional championship like the Rocky Mountain Regional or the Western IDPA Regional is worth 3 points — that’s three local club matches in one weekend.
How Many Points Does It Actually Take?
This is the question everyone asks, and IDPA’s honest answer is: we don’t know until registration closes. If 600 people apply for 400 spots, the cutoff ends up wherever the 400th-ranked shooter sits. Some years that’s 7 points others can be 20. Personally I have attended Nationals with 9 points my first year and for 2026 I am attending with 15.
You can check your current point total anytime by logging into your dashboard on IDPA.com.
Have questions about the IDPA points system or finding sanctioned matches near you? Drop them in the comments. And if you’re heading to Marengo this September, let us know!
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