Qualifying For the World Tournament
All Adults must have pitched in a minimum of four (4) US/Canadian sanctioned events in the twelve (12) month period from May 19, 2025 to May 18, 2026 in the same division you are entering. Only one (1) event is required for Juniors/Cadets. You may enter at any time before the entry deadline, but you must meet the minimum requirement by the entry deadline to qualify. Averages used to set up classes will be the average on record in NHPA-eShoe as of May 18, 2026, not the average shown at the time that you entered. Note that any events pitched before May 19, 2025 will not be listed on May 18, 2026. To check out how many qualifying events you currently have go to eShoe Home and type in your name or sanction number, then click on Details and count how many you have after May 18, 2025. Anyone who changes pitching distances (men to elder men, women to elder women, boys to men etc.) must requalify at their new pitching distance, any events at their previous distance will be removed from their eShoe stats when they change distances, therefore will not count as qualifying events
When Will You Pitch
The pitching schedule will be finalized by May 31, 2026 and published on the NHPA website www.horseshoepitching.com. If you indicated to receive the schedule by mail, it will be mailed to the address that you listed during the 2nd week in June.
The days that you will be pitching will depend on the total number of entries as well as the averages and number of pitchers in each of the pitching divisions. Anticipating a large turnout for the 2026 World Tournament, below is a general idea as to when you might be pitching.
The Lower Averages will pitch the first week with the Higher Averages the second week.
Mon, Tue, Wed, July 13,14,15 - Men under 27-28% - Elder Men under 37-38%
Thu, Fri, Sat, July 16,17,18 - Men 27-28% - 37-38% - Elder Men 37-38% - 48-49% Women under 38-40%
Thu, Fri, July 16,17 - All Elder Women, All Junior Boys & Girls, All Cadet Boys & Girls
Sat, July 18 - Championship Elder Women, Championship Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Cadet Boys, Cadet Girls.
Mon, Tue, Wed, July 20,21,22 - Men over 38% - Elder Men over 48% - Women over 40%
Mon, Tue, Wed, July 20,21,22 - *All Senior Men - *All Senior Women
*For Preliminary Class play, a minimum of 48 pitchers must enter the Sr Mens & Sr Womens Division's, or they may be canceled and all entrants will then pitch in the Open Divisions and split out for their Championships
Thu, Fri, Sat, July 23,24,25 - Championships for Senior Men, Senior Women, Elder Men, Men and Women.
Note: The above averages are only estimates based on past tournaments and should only be referenced as such. The final numbers won't be known until the entry deadline.
Preliminaries are the first nine days of the tournament for classes in all of the pitching divisions. Classes are set up by ringer percentage with sixteen (16) pitchers per class if possible, some classes will have less pitchers depending on the number of entrants in the division. For 16 pitcher classes you will pitch 5 games a day for 3 days with class winners determined on the third day. The highest ringer percent pitchers from each division in the preliminaries will be given the opportunity to pitch in their divisions Championship rounds which will take place during the last three days of the tournament. Preliminary games are 40 shoes and most Championship games are 40 point games. Preliminaries and Championships for Junior, Cadet and Elder Women divisions will be Thur, Fri and Sat of the first week. Detailed information will be available when the schedule has been completed.
Pitching Divisions
READ CAREFULLY: Any Adult male pitching from the full distance platform may enter the OPEN Men's Division regardless of age, just as any Adult Female may enter the OPEN Women's Division. To enter the Senior Division, you must be 60 years of age or older before the end of 2026. Any Man/Women that turns 65 years of age in 2026, or has an approved Medical exemption may enter the Elders Division. Entrants in the Jr Boys and Jr Girls Division eighteen (18) years old or younger for the entire calendar year OR through September 30th of the year of completing high School - not to exceed 19 years of age. Cadet Boys & Cadet Girls Division entrants must be 12 years old or younger for the entire 2026 calendar year