North-South Skirmish Association to Hold 153rd National Competition

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The North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA), the nation's oldest and largest Civil War shooting sports organization, will hold its 153rd National Competition from May 15-17, 2026, at Fort Shenandoah near Winchester, Virginia. The event features live-fire matches with original and reproduction muskets, carbines, revolvers, mortars, and cannons, and attracts over 3,000 individual members representing 200 different Civil War regiments.

Why it matters

The N-SSA National Competition is a unique opportunity for the public to witness the skilled use of authentic Civil War-era firearms and learn more about this living history organization. The event also highlights the continued interest in Civil War history and the preservation of period-specific shooting sports.

The details

At the N-SSA National Competition, member units will compete in timed events where they shoot at breakable targets using their period-correct firearms. Teams with the lowest cumulative times win medals and other awards. In addition to the live-fire matches, the event features competitions for authenticity of Civil War-era military and civilian dress, as well as lectures on topics of interest. A large sutler area with over 30 vendors offers a variety of Civil War-related merchandise, and food service is available for spectators.

• The 153rd N-SSA National Competition will be held from May 15-17, 2026.
• The event traditionally signals the opening of the organization's activities each year, with regional 'skirmishes' held throughout the summer.

What’s next

The N-SSA National Competition is an annual event, so the 154th edition will be held in May 2027.