MEMPHIS, TN – The 46th Annual NFAA Indoor National Championships ushered in a successful new chapter this past weekend, March 6–8, 2026, as over 1,000 archers descended upon Memphis, Tennessee. Bringing together youth, amateur, collegiate, and professional competitors from across the United States and around the globe, the event transformed the Renasant Convention Center into the epicenter of the archery world.
With the move to Memphis, the NFAA delivered a world-class weekend that seamlessly blended elite competition with the vibrant energy and camaraderie of the archery community.
A Premier Venue and Upgraded Experience
Attendees widely praised the new host location, noting the Renasant Convention Center's modern amenities and thoughtful layout. The venue kept the entire event under one roof, featuring dedicated spaces for competition ranges, practice bales, a full archery trade show, and secure equipment storage.
The 2026 event also saw several fresh upgrades aimed at streamlining the competitor experience:
- New Tech Features: The introduction of self check-in and self-scorecard validation drastically improved wait times and efficiency.
- Meet the Pros: Friday evening kicked off with a fantastic turnout for youth archers (18 and under), who had the opportunity to talk, get autographs, and snap photos with their favorite professionals.
- Pro-Am Team Event: Following the meet-and-greet, a fun Pro-Am event added a layer of excitement and mentorship to start the competition weekend.
Record-Breaking Amateur & Youth Performances
Once the scoring lines began, archers locked in for two demanding days of shooting. Competitors completed two rounds of 60 arrows, aiming for a maximum possible score of 600 with 120 X's on the official NFAA blue and white 300-round target face.
The youth divisions delivered some of the weekend's most impressive shooting:
- Chloe Nelsen added to her growing list of accolades by shooting an incredible, perfect 600 120X in the Young Adult Female Freestyle division.
- Anna Li set a brand-new national record in the Cub Female Barebow Recurve division with a stellar 567 35X.
- Collegiate Archers: Seventy student-athletes competed across the Compound, Bowhunter, Recurve, and Barebow Recurve divisions, with each division winner taking home a $250 scholarship.
High-Stakes Professional Shoot-Offs
Despite the incredible amateur milestones, Sunday afternoon stole the show when multiple professional divisions required pressure-cooker shoot-offs to determine the final podiums.
- Professional Adult Male Freestyle: In one of the most thrilling moments of the weekend, a massive 13 archers posted perfect 600 120X scores to force a large shoot-off. The stacked field included heavy hitters like Bodie Turner, Braden Gellenthien, and international standouts like Mike Schloesser. After multiple grueling rounds of inside-out scoring, Kyle Douglas claimed the championship, adding a major win to his resume ahead of the season finale in Vegas. Louis Price finished second, and Mike Schloesser took third.
- Professional Adult Female Freestyle: Tanja Gellenthien and Isabelle Geissbuhler both shot perfect 600 120X scores, with Gellenthien ultimately winning the championship and Geissbuhler taking second. Just behind them, six competitors who finished with 600 118X went head-to-head for the bronze, with Jamilee Moore emerging victorious after several ends of inside-out scoring.
- Professional Senior Male Freestyle: Lynn Hoch secured the championship outright with a flawless 600 120X. A subsequent shoot-off determined the rest of the podium, with Randy Morocco claiming second, Grant Schleusner in third, and Michael Hulbert Sr. taking fourth.
Looking Ahead
The move to Memphis proved to be a major win for the National Field Archery Association. By pairing a top-tier modern venue with the lively atmosphere of downtown Memphis, the 2026 NFAA Indoor Nationals provided a memorable experience for archers of all ages and skill levels. As competitors pack up their bows and look toward the upcoming outdoor season, the weekend in Bluff City will be remembered as a high-water mark for indoor competition.