National trapshooting championship will stay in southern Illinois with new deal

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Amateur Trapshooting Association announced that they have signed a ten-year extension for the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta to host the ATA Grand American Championsips through 2036.

The Grand American is the largest and oldest shooting event of its kind. It brings more than 5,000 competitors and spectators from around the world to Randolph and surrounding counties. Officials said it has an estimated economic impact of $25 million to $30 million annually for southern Illinois.

The championships were first hosted at the World Shooting Complex in 2006. The 2024 Grand American is set for July 31 to August 10. More than 4 million targets will be thrown during the event.

The World Shooting and Recreational Complex boasts 120 trap houses stretching 3.5 miles, 2 sporting clays courses, 24 combination trap/skeet fields, and cowboy action shooting.




(Photo:  downstateil.org)