CMP matches

Upcoming matches

225 events matching this sport’s disciplines. Discipline does not establish league affiliation. Coverage is partial; confirm dates and registration with the organizer.

1. Oct 21, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Junior Rifle ProgramConestoga Rod & Gun Club, 820 Street Rd, Southampton, PA
   PA calendar →
2. Oct 22, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   2026 Mid-Carolina Gun Club CMP Match Pistol Regional ChampionshipMid Carolina Gun Club, Orangeburg, SC
   SC calendar →
3. Oct 22, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   2026 North Augusta Navy League air rifle competitionNorth Augusta High School NJROTC Unit, North Augusta, SC
   SC calendar →
4. Oct 22, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   2026 Zombie Shoot OutJack C Hays High School, Buda, TX
   TX calendar →
5. Oct 22, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Fort Mill High School MCJROTC Fall ClassicFort Mill High School MCJROTC, Fort Mill, SC
   SC calendar →
6. Oct 22, 2026Listed date, not yet confirmed by the organizer
   Indoor Rimfire21101 Kettlefoot Lane, Bristol, VA 24202
   VA calendar →

How a match works

1. Enter the event described in its match program. Highpower entries should be made in advance; late entries depend on range space. National Trophy and EIC competitors receive an assigned shooting group (relay) and station (firing point). [4] [10]
2. The highpower National Match Course has standing slow fire, sitting or kneeling rapid fire, prone rapid fire and prone slow fire. National Trophy events have no practice shots (sighters) and normally start rapid-fire series standing; CMP Cup events allow sighters and start in position. Authorized alternatives to standing affect award eligibility. [8] [36]
3. The course table uses pit-operated target timings. On fixed or electronic targets, highpower rapid-fire allowances increase by three seconds. Follow the match’s commands and timer, not an assumed universal CMP time limit. [8] [32]
4. For a Games example, Talladega’s GSMM match has 15 shots slow-fire prone, of which the first 5 are sighters, then 10 rapid-fire prone and 10 slow-fire standing. All are fired from 200 yards. This is that match’s published course, not a description of every CMP match. [9]
5. Rimfire Sporter’s standard course moves from prone at 50 yards to sitting or kneeling at 50 yards, then standing at 25 yards. Each position has 10 slow-fire record shots and two five-shot rapid-fire series. Each rapid series allows 25 seconds for semi-automatic rifles or 30 seconds for manually operated rifles. [16] [39]
6. Competitors may be assigned scoring, verifying or target-marking duties in highpower matches. CMP Travel Games rifle events use electronic targets with scores displayed beside the competitor and no pit duty. Do not assume a local match uses that system. [10] [24]
7. Check the posted preliminary scores. Highpower rules provide a protest time of a minimum of 30 minutes for possible errors. Official results on Competition Tracker are publicly accessible. [11]
8. For highpower, listen for “COMPETITORS TAKE YOUR POSITIONS,” “THE PREPARATION PERIOD BEGINS NOW,” its ending command and “LOAD.” Firing starts on “START” for fixed or electronic targets, or when pit-operated targets appear after the officer’s authorization. Stop on “CEASE FIRE.” Being called to the line is not permission to load. [32]
9. Rimfire Sporter uses “LOAD FIVE ROUNDS,” then “START.” “STOP…UNLOAD” ends firing; rapid-fire series finish with “STOP…STOP…UNLOAD.” Its rules distinguish loading from chambering and starting fire. Read the full procedure with the range official rather than borrowing a different discipline’s command sequence. [34]

Where to compete

Use CMP’s official club and match finders to locate the discipline you want. CMP-affiliated clubs offer clinics and competitions; the published affiliation total is not a total of ranges hosting CMP matches. [5] [3]

• CMP match finder ↗
• CMP club finder ↗
• Find a shooting range

Run a club? Affiliate a club ↗

Your first match

1. Pick a discipline, not just “a CMP match”. Compare Service Rifle, Games, Rimfire Sporter, smallbore, air gun and pistol opportunities. For an instructor-led introduction without buying equipment first, look for rifle or pistol Marksmanship 101: firearms and ammunition are provided. [2] [6]
2. Find a nearby club, clinic or match. Use CMP’s club search and Competition Tracker. Affiliated clubs offer clinics and matches, and the beginner page links directly to the nearest clinic or match listings. [5]
3. Read the match program and enter in advance. Use the current rulebook for that discipline. Check the stated course and permitted firearms; highpower programs distinguish National Trophy from CMP Cup conditions. Follow the published entry instructions. [10] [8] [4]
4. Get a Competition Tracker number for online entry. CMP requires a CT# to register online for matches, camps or clinics. Its registration guide links to account creation and recovery. [7]
5. Check equipment against the entered event. Rimfire Sporter and Service Rifle have different sight, trigger and clothing rules. Rimfire Sporter prohibits special shooting jackets, trousers and boots; Marksmanship 101 provides the firearm and ammunition but requires your eye and hearing protection. [15] [13] [6]
6. Follow the briefing and assigned duties. Follow the range officials. For schools, attend the required safety briefing. In highpower, be prepared for assigned scorer, verifier or target-marker duties; check preliminary results during the published challenge period. [10] [26] [11]

Never fired a gun at a range? Start with your first range visit.

What to bring

Bring eye and hearing protection to your first match, even where a league only recommends it. Check the host’s requirements before you arrive.

Eye and hearing protection for highpower or Marksmanship 101Required

The Highpower Rifle rules require both on firing lines and in highpower target pits. Rifle and pistol Marksmanship 101 participants must also wear both. [14] [6]

Safety flag for highpower rifleRequired

Highpower Rifle rules require a safety flag in each rifle when it is brought to the range. This is also called an Empty Chamber Indicator or ECI. Read the event’s safety rules and follow its officials. [14] [10]

Event-compliant rifle or pistolRequired

Match rules define the permitted firearms. Rifle and pistol Marksmanship 101 classes supply equipment instead; highpower rules also allow firearm sharing if squadding permits. [2] [6] [13]

Ammunition for the entered courseRequired

For the National Rimfire Sporter Match, competitors supply ammunition: 60 rounds for the match plus sighters or range alibis. Rifle and pistol Marksmanship 101 classes provide ammunition. [16] [6]

Rimfire Sporter sights and triggerRequired

Standard classes have a 7.5 lbs. overall weight limit with sights and one removable clip; slings may be removed for weighing. M-Class has no weight limit. All triggers must lift three pounds. Variable scopes must be secured at no more than 6X. [15]

AR15 Service Rifle complianceRequired

M16/AR15-type Service Rifle requires at least a 4.5-pound trigger pull. Optical sights must have been manufactured with a maximum magnification of 4.5X and a maximum objective lens diameter of 34 mm. Turning a higher-power scope down does not make it eligible; read all of rule 5.1.1. [13]

Shooting mat or ground clothOptional

Permitted for Service Rifle prone, sitting and kneeling stages. Rimfire Sporter also permits a mat or ground cloth that provides no artificial support. [13] [15]

Spotting scopeOptional

Highpower rules permit a telescope for spotting shots. A spotting scope is not a rifle-mounted optical sight. [13]

Outdoor clothing for a schoolRequired

SAFS requires clothing suitable for an outdoor firing range. Headgear, rain gear, sunscreen and insect repellant are recommendations, not individually required items. [26]

What it costs

Individual CMP membership

There is no individual CMP membership. Club dues and an event entry are different costs; do not interpret club membership as an all-matches entry fee. [3] [27]

Affiliated-club dues

CMP says membership in many affiliated organizations costs $25.00 or less and can be arranged online. This is not a promise about every local club. [3]

A published match fee

The October 4, 2026 Talladega Garand Springfield Modern Military Match published a $30 day-of clubhouse fee. Competition Tracker marks that match completed. This is a dated price example, not an upcoming entry invitation or a national CMP rate. [27]

2026 Rifle and Pistol SAFS

Each published basic Rifle School and Pistol School fee was $70 Adults / $55 Juniors. Pistol or M16 Rifle EIC entry was included at no additional cost. These are the 2026 school prices, not a quoted 2027 fee. [26]

2026 Rimfire clinic with live fire

The 2026 Camp Perry clinic listed $45 Adults / $35 Juniors. The clinic is separate from match entry. [26]

Rules

The Highpower Rifle rules can be downloaded without cost; printed copies are $9.95 each. [29]

How scoring works

Highpower rifle is scored by target-ring value: a shot touching a higher-value ring receives that value. Individual ties first compare X counts, then the numerical score at the longest range or last stage, with further countback if needed. Rimfire Sporter also uses the highest ring hit or touched. [11] [17]

• Highpower scoring may use manually scored paper targets, approved electronic targets or approved visual image electronic scoring. The match program specifies the scoring arrangements. [11]
• Smallbore shots are scored in full ring values; finals use decimal ring values. CMP 60-shot air rifle uses decimal values, while 60-shot air pistol uses whole ring values. Both air gun finals use decimal scoring. [19] [20]
• Distinguished credit points are not ordinary target points. EIC performance can earn credit toward a badge; a classification instead reflects scores from recent matches. [18] [12]

Divisions and classes

Service Rifle and highpower

Service Rifle includes M16/AR15-, M14/M1A- and M1 Garand-type rifles meeting the Highpower Rifle rules. The National Match Course can also allow Match Rifle as specified in the match program. Service Rifle is not the same equipment category as a Games as-issued rifle. [8] [13] [2]

As-issued military rifle and CMP Games

Games include Garand, Springfield, Vintage Military Rifle, M1 Carbine, Modern Military Rifle and Vintage Sniper Rifle events. Talladega’s GSMM match is for standard production or as-issued rifles without special accurizing or match conditioning. [2] [9]

Vintage Sniper Rifle Team Match

A two-person team event with record fire at 300 and 600 yards. Each member fires 10 record shots at each distance; the Games rulebook specifies the eligible rifles and scopes. [17] [2]

Rimfire Sporter: O, T and TU classes

O-Class uses open sights. T-Class uses optical or aperture sights; sponsors may split aperture rifles into A-Class. TU-Class covers Tactical and Unlimited rifles, but “Unlimited” does not remove the weight, trigger or optical-magnification limits. [15]

Rimfire Sporter: optional M-Class

A match sponsor may offer M-Class for qualifying rimfire rifles acquired by the U.S. Government and subsequently sold by CMP. This class has no rifle weight limit, but retains a minimum trigger pull of 3.0 lbs. and aperture sights. Check whether the match offers it. [15]

Smallbore rifle

CMP Smallbore rules cover Position, Prone and F-Class disciplines using .22 long rifle. The standard three-position event is 20 match shots each in kneeling, prone and standing, in that order. These are separate events from Rimfire Sporter. [19]

Air rifle and air pistol

CMP’s air gun rulebook covers 10m rifle and pistol events, including 60-shot air rifle and air pistol. Ammunition is 4.5 mm (.177”) pellets. National Matches air gun events also offer rental equipment and open public shooting. [20] [28]

Junior three-position air rifle

School-age competitors use Sporter or Precision equipment classes at 10 meters. Sporter limits equipment and expense; Precision permits specialized target rifles and equipment. The 2026–2028 rules put kneeling, prone and standing in that order, including the 3x10 course. [22] [21]

Pistol disciplines

CMP also recognizes Service Pistol, .22 Rimfire Pistol, Service Revolver and as-issued pistol events. Match Pistol and Action Pistol have separate 2026 rulebooks; rifle equipment and course descriptions do not apply to them. [2]

Highpower competitor categories

Categories describe the competitor, not the rifle or skill level. Civilian and Service are mutually exclusive: Service covers active duty, National Guard and Reserve; retired service and police personnel are civilians. Women may enter the Women’s category subject to junior eligibility rules. Check which categories the match program lists. [35]

Highpower age sub-categories

Junior (U21) means a civilian under 21 on the first competition day, with a rule preserving junior status when the birthday falls on that day. Senior (O60) requires the 60th birthday before the first competition day; Grand Senior requires the 70th before that day. Service-category competitors cannot also enter Junior or Senior. [35]

Highpower adaptive participation

Competitors needing adaptive positions or devices must apply to CMP for a Special Authorization. National Trophy competitors unable to stand, or authorized to remain in position, may start rapid fire in position, but cannot earn Distinguished Rifleman credit or win National Trophy or overall match-winner awards that way. Other award eligibility follows the rules and match program. [36]

Highpower Open Individual Category

A match program may offer this category for competitors who do not meet all eligibility, equipment or firing-position rules. It does not confer eligibility for National Trophy awards or EIC credit points. Sponsors may offer separate awards; it is not a waiver of range safety rules. [37] [33]

Classification

In highpower, long-range and mid-range rifle, CMP uses High Master, Master, Expert, Sharpshooter and Marksman classifications. Highpower classification is based on a current 10-shot average with a minimum of 50 recorded shots. A shooter without a CMP classification may use a current NRA classification; a shooter without either a Highpower or Long-Range classification must compete in Master for the first competition. Smallbore maintains separate 3-Position and Prone classifications, and air rifle and air pistol have their own classifications. Equipment classes such as Rimfire Sporter T-Class are not skill classifications. [12] [19] [20] [15]

Safety rules

• CMP requires competitors to know the event’s rules and obey match officials’ range commands. Use the current rulebook and the organizer’s instructions, rather than treating this overview as firearm-handling instruction. [10]
• At the CMP Travel Games, firearms used in Games or Service Rifle events must be inspected by a CMP-sanctioned armorer before live fire. The inspection process belongs to that event; it is not a substitute for the competitor’s responsibilities. [24] [10]
• SAFS students covered by the required safety briefing may not fire in the school if they miss it, and no refund is given. [26]
• Highpower’s emergency command is “CEASE FIRE—CEASE FIRE—CEASE FIRE.” Notify a range officer immediately if you see an unsafe situation. If an officer is not immediately available, anyone may call that command in a safety emergency. [33]
• In highpower, loading and firing before “LOAD” disqualifies the competitor from that event. Serious safety violations can bring disqualification without warning. Failure to perform assigned duties and falsifying scores are also disciplinary offenses. Do not handle rifles while anyone is downrange. [33]
• Rimfire Sporter also disqualifies a competitor who loads and fires before “LOAD.” A shot fired after “LOAD” but before “START” instead causes the highest-value shot in that stage to be scored as zero. Not every early shot has the same penalty. [34]

Match levels and major events

• The 2026 Highpower Rifle rulebook identifies club competitions or championships, state championships, CMP Competition Games and the National Matches. [25]
• CMP-sanctioned leagues can bring two or more teams or clubs together for a scheduled series, either shoulder-to-shoulder or virtually. [25]
• EIC means Excellence-In-Competition, not simply a larger local match. EIC events award eligible competitors credit toward Distinguished badges. For civilian Distinguished Rifleman, the requirement is 30 or more points including at least one eight or ten-point award. [18]
• In regular Service Rifle EIC matches, eligible non-Distinguished shooters must place in the highest scoring 10 percent and meet the minimum credit score. The 2026 Service Rifle minimum is 455 x 500; top-ten-percent placement alone does not guarantee points. [18]

Major events

National Matches at Camp Perry ↗

An annual July-August program in Port Clinton, Ohio, including National Trophy rifle and pistol, Games, Rimfire Sporter and mid- and long-range rifle. The public and beginners are welcome. In 2026, Pistol SAFS was July 13 and Rifle SAFS July 25–26. Those school dates have passed; use the official program for future dates. [23] [26]

CMP Travel Games ↗

Regional rifle and pistol competitions with clinics, Games and CMP Cup matches, including Eastern, New England and Western events. The published 2026 Western program is October 9–18 at Ben Avery Shooting Facility near Phoenix, Arizona. Check the linked program and registration for individual events; a published date is not a guarantee of entry space. [24] [40]

National Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match ↗

A Camp Perry match for sporter-type rimfire rifles, with prone, sitting or kneeling, and standing stages. The official page also links to its clinic, program and results. [16]

National smallbore and air rifle matches ↗

Camp Perry offers three-position smallbore and air rifle events, plus separate Smallbore Prone Matches. The official event page welcomes public and international competitors. [30]

Common questions

Glossary

CMP

Civilian Marksmanship Program: the national organization conducting marksmanship training and competitions. [1]

GSMM

Garand, Springfield, Vintage Military and Modern Military rifle. Talladega uses this abbreviation for its Games match. [9]

Sighters

Practice or sighting shots before record fire. They do not count for score in Rimfire Sporter; whether highpower permits them depends on the National Trophy or CMP Cup format. [31] [8]

Record shots

Shots fired for score rather than sighting or practice. [31]

Relay and firing point

The assigned group and shooting station for a competitor. National Trophy and EIC individual assignments use random draws. [10]

Pit duty

Target-marking duties on a range with pit-operated targets. Travel Games electronic targets remove the need for that duty. [10] [24]

X

The tie-breaking designation ranked above a 10 in highpower countback. Individual ties compare the number of Xs first. [11]

EIC

Excellence-In-Competition: matches in which eligible shooters can earn credit points toward a Distinguished badge. [18]

Distinguished Rifleman

A CMP badge earned through accumulated EIC credit points, rather than a score classification or an ordinary target-point total. [18] [12]

SAFS

Small Arms Firing Schools, providing classroom instruction and on-range firing at the National Matches. [26]

CT#

Competition Tracker Number, needed to register online for CMP matches, camps or clinics. [7]

3PAR

Three-position air rifle, with Sporter and Precision equipment classes. Under the current 2026–2028 rules the three positions are kneeling, prone and standing. [22]

Prone, sitting, kneeling and standing

Prone means lying on the ground facing the target. Sitting rests on the buttocks; kneeling rests on one foot; standing is on both feet. These are short descriptions, not the complete legal position requirements. [38]

Slow fire and rapid fire

Course labels for different timed stages, not permission to shoot at an unrestricted pace. The National Match Course specifies 10 shots in 10 minutes for standing slow fire and 10 shots in 60 or 70 seconds for its rapid-fire stages, before fixed/electronic-target allowances. [8] [32]

Squadding

Assigning competitors to relays and firing points. Highpower rules allow two or more competitors to share a firearm only if those assignments permit it. [10] [13]

Watch and read

• Everything you need to get started in highpower matches ↗Video · Civilian Marksmanship Program
• CMP National Matches: what to expect and official videos ↗Page · Civilian Marksmanship Program
• CMP guide to Rimfire Sporter shooting ↗Page · Civilian Marksmanship Program

Related sports

• NRA High Power Rifle
• NRA Precision Pistol
• Olympic shooting
• NRA Action Pistol (Bianchi Cup)
• GLOCK Sport Shooting Foundation
• Compare every league

Sources

Facts checked October 4, 2026 against the sources below. Each bracketed number on the page links to its source.

1. [1]
   About the CMPthecmp.org
2. [2]
   CMP competition rulebooks, 2026thecmp.org
3. [3]
   CMP clubs and membershipthecmp.org
4. [4]
   2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 3.1 and 4.3.2thecmp.org
5. [5]
   Get started with CMP competitionsthecmp.org
6. [6]
   Rifle and pistol trainingthecmp.org
7. [7]
   Register for a CT numberthecmp.org
8. [8]
   2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 6.4 and table 4thecmp.org
9. [9]
   Talladega Garand, Springfield, Vintage and Modern Military matchtmp.thecmp.org
10. [10]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 4.4 and 6.2.1thecmp.org
11. [11]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 4.9.1, 4.9.2, 4.9.12–4.9.15thecmp.org
12. [12]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 4.10.5–4.10.9thecmp.org
13. [13]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 5.1.1, 5.2.4 and 5.5thecmp.org
14. [14]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 2.2 and 2.15thecmp.org
15. [15]
    2026 Games rules, 9.1–9.3thecmp.org
16. [16]
    National Rimfire Sporter Rifle Matchthecmp.org
17. [17]
    2026 Games rules, 4.3.5, 7.5.1 and 9.8.2thecmp.org
18. [18]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 1.4.1 and 10.3.6–10.3.9thecmp.org
19. [19]
    2026 Smallbore Rifle rules, 3.6, 5.1, 6.4.1 and 8.1thecmp.org
20. [20]
    2026 Air Rifle and Air Pistol rules, 3.6, 5.5.1, 6.4 and 8.1thecmp.org
21. [21]
    National Standard 3PAR rules: current editionthecmp.org
22. [22]
    2026–2028 Three-Position Air Rifle rules, 1.2 and 5.3.2thecmp.org
23. [23]
    National Matches at Camp Perrythecmp.org
24. [24]
    CMP Travel Gamesthecmp.org
25. [25]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 1.1 and 1.4.5thecmp.org
26. [26]
    2026 Small Arms Firing Schools: fees and requirementsthecmp.org
27. [27]
    2026 October GSMM match at Talladega: date, status and entry feect.thecmp.org
28. [28]
    National Matches air gun eventsthecmp.org
29. [29]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules: obtaining the rulesthecmp.org
30. [30]
    National smallbore and air rifle matchesthecmp.org
31. [31]
    2026 Games rules, 9.5.2thecmp.org
32. [32]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 4.7.1–4.7.5thecmp.org
33. [33]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 2.8, 2.11–2.14 and 4.12thecmp.org
34. [34]
    2026 Games rules, 9.4.4 and 9.4.7thecmp.org
35. [35]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 3.6.1–3.6.3thecmp.org
36. [36]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 3.5.1 and 6.2.4thecmp.org
37. [37]
    2026 Highpower Rifle rules, 3.11thecmp.org
38. [38]
    2026 Games rules, 4.2.1–4.2.3thecmp.org
39. [39]
    2026 Games rules, 9.5.3thecmp.org
40. [40]
    2026 Western CMP Games, Pistol and Cup Matchesthecmp.org

Inclusion is not an endorsement. Send a source or correction.