IDPA is the use of practical equipment including full charge service ammunition to solve simulated "real world" self-defense scenarios. Shooters compete one at a time, on courses of fire designed by IDPA-trained match directors.
Match finder
3,500+ sanctioned matches a year across 50 countries. Drop in a ZIP or city and we’ll surface what’s near you in the next 60 days.
Start here
Four steps from your first browser tab to your first stage. No prior competition experience, no special gear — just a service pistol and a willingness to learn.
5 min
What IDPA is, what divisions exist, and what the safety rules look like — one short read.
10 min
600+ affiliated clubs run monthly matches that welcome first-timers. Most will pair you with a mentor.
2 min
Register online, bring your service pistol, three magazines, eye and ear pro. The club covers the rest.
Match day
After a few matches, run the classifier to get your IDPA division rating — from Novice up to Distinguished Master.
2026 2026 IDPA National Championship Presented By JP Enterprises
Join us in celebrating 3o years of IDPA! The 2026 IDPA National Championship is scheduled for September 24th-26th, 2026 at The Cardinal Center in Marengo, Ohio. Participants will be competing either all day Thursday or competing on Friday and Saturday (split days). Registration will open on April 20, 2026 at 9AM Central and will close on May 31, 2026 at 5PM Central. After May 31, competitor selection will begin. <a href="https://www.idpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2026IDPANATSLOGO.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1090636 alignright" src="https://www.idpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2026IDPANATSLOGO-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> We are excited to be at The Cardinal Center and we look forward to seeing you there. Noel Gardner will be serving as match director. Assisting him as AMDs are Skip Darden and Bryant Brough. This year we will have a Founder's Reception on Friday night from 7-9PM. Join IDPA Founder's John Sayle, Bill Wilson and Ken Hackathorn as they discuss the creation and evolution of IDPA. Schedule of Events: Thurs., Sept. 24 7:30 AM Shooter meeting for squads 301-315 8 AM Squad 301-315 start shooting 12 PM lunch at the range for squads 301-315 12:30 PM Squad 301-315 resume shooting Fri., Sept. 25 7:30 AM Shooter meeting for squads 401-415 8 AM Squads 401-415 start shooting 12 PM lunch at the range for squads 401-415 12 PM Shooter meeting for squads 501-515 12:30 PM Squads 501-515 start shooting 7-9 PM Founder's Reception Sat., Sept. 26 7:30 AM Squads 501-515 report to bays 8 AM Squad 501-515 start shooting 11 AM lunch at the range for squads 501-515 11 AM Squads 401-415 report to bays 11:30 AM Squad 401-415 start shooting 6 PM Pre-banquet cocktails 7-10 PM Awards dinner dinner at 7 with awards ceremony to follow Watch the IDPA website and official IDPA Facebook page for more details! Companies interested in sponsoring the 2026 IDPA National Championship should contact Kitty Richards at Kitty@idpa.com or call 870-545-3886. All refunds will have processing fees deducted from the total paid. There will be no registration refunds after 9AM Central on July 31, 2026. International shooters who sign up for the match do so at their own risk & there will be no refunds for international shooters. No division or squadding changes after 9AM Central July 31, 2026. Match Hotel: Hilton – Columbus/Polaris 8700 Lyra Drive,Columbus, OH 43240 <a id="OWAa96f2a98-c54f-3697-842c-eed2792c0ccc" class="x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_Hyperlink x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_SCXW123063618 x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_BCX2 x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink" title="https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/cmhpohf-91b-aa7e8a4d-294f-4d63-8312-cd295c6f8284/" href="https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/cmhpohf-91b-aa7e8a4d-294f-4d63-8312-cd295c6f8284/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/cmhpohf-91b-aa7e8a4d-294f-4d63-8312-cd295c6f8284/</a> Dinner and Awards Ceremony located at: Hilton – Columbus/Polaris 8700 Lyra Drive,Columbus, OH 43240 Address to The Cardinal Center: 3389 County Road 225 Marengo, OH 43334 You will not be able to pay the entry fee until you have been approved to shoot the match. Approvals will happen in several batches based on points accumulated from June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026. You will be alerted June 5, 2026 by email of your squadding group or if you have been waitlisted.
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