Inside the 2026 Lancaster Classic

From an Archery Parent’s Front Row Seat

The newest episode of the Archery Parent Podcast is a deep dive into why the 2026 Lancaster Classic feels “kind of magical” and why the Classic has become a cornerstone event for so many Archers and their families. This is a comprehensive recap of the episode. For all the happenings, listen now. 

What the Lancaster Classic Is All About

I walk through what makes the Classic the premier indoor tournament in North America and why Reece and I keep going back year after year. This was our ninth time attending, and it’s still the event that lets us reconnect and remember why we love the sport.

This year, the Classic hosted about 2,800 total registrants across all events, with over 20 countries represented. It is truly and international field.

Unique Rules: 12-Button, X=11 & Scoring

One of the big focuses of the episode is what makes the Classic format so distinctive

• The 12-spot: In the Finals venue only, there’s a 1.5 cm white circle printed on custom Classic target faces. It’s High-Risk versus Reward.
• X equals 11: At the Classic, the X-ring is worth 11 instead of the usual 10, shifting the maximum score to 660, rather than 600 over 20 ends of three arrows.
• Cumulative scoring for all Matches: Archers add up every arrow, and the final total decides the match. This goes for every discipline, even Recurve.

Barebow, Longbow & the New Mixed Team Event

If you’re a Barebow or Longbow Archer, the Classic has become the place to test yourself. Barebow Archers agreed: this is now the premier indoor event for these divisions, with a community that’s supportive yet increasingly competitive.

The Classic added a Mixed Team event for 2026. With Compound being added to the 2028 LA Olympics in a Mixed Team-only format, Archers have a chance to experience Mixed Team matches. I encourage clubs to start implementing Mixed Team matches, along with Team and individual matches, as part of regular programming.

The Finals Venue

A big chunk of the episode is me painting the picture of the Finals venue and what it feels like as both a parent and an Archer.

Spooky Nook itself is massive (about 700,000 square feet, about the size of 14 football fields). In normal light, the Finals setup looks like a big stage build; however, when the lights go down, the spotlights come on, the music starts, it transforms.

I share the story of Reece’s first time on the Finals stage. My heart felt like it stopped and was racing at the same time. I was pacing, sweating, cold and hot, trying to breathe while watching him walk down a dark chute into the light of the stage.

Listen to the episode for the whole story and the rollercoaster of emotions I went through, all the while Reece looked like it was all in a day’s work.

Respecting Names on the Big Stage

One of the “spicy” parts of the episode is something that actually matters a lot: how names are pronounced on the Finals stage and livestream. Mispronouncing an Archer’s name can sting in a way that lingers well beyond the match. I share some practical tips and suggestions that can be implemented at any tournament, no matter the size.

Lore & Legends

The Classic has its own lore, and I talk through a couple of those stories.

One year, a Barebow Archer “Robin-hooded” their own arrow on the line and one of this year’s standout moments during the Olympic Recurve Finals between Brady Ellison and Nicholas D’Amour.

That’s the kind of sportsmanship I associate with the Classic: fist bumps on the Finals stage, genuine support even under intense pressure, and competitors who know they’re in it together.

Behind the Scenes: Staff, Trailer & Vendors

Over 200 staff and event-only team members work for months to pull off the four-day Classic, most of them from Lancaster Archery Supply. They have refined the event so smoothly that any issues happening behind the scenes rarely show on the floor.

In addition to the organizing committee, I give the staff in the LAS Express trailer a shout-out.

The vendor area where sponsors set up booths also gets some love. Although sales are not permitted, you can test equipment, ask questions, and then head to the trailer to place an order.

Accommodations & Travel Tips

Around Lancaster and Manheim, there are hotel, motel, and short-term rental options for every budget. I share our own preferences for location. Because my job is getting my Archer to the line without issue or delay.

If you want the fully on-site experience, the Warehouse Hotel at Spooky Nook has 135 rooms and books up fast. An Archer can literally roll out of bed, step straight onto a practice range, and never go outside. Grab those blocks as soon as they open.

The 2027 event is slated for January 21–24. Accommodation blocks are already open and new hotels being added regularly. Check the Classic website’s Lodging page.

Outside of Archery, check out Lancaster’s “Things to Do/Places to Go” video featuring local restaurants, shopping spots, attractions, and of course ice cream. The result of this video is that every featured location was jam-packed. Be sure to check if  reservations are required.

Prize Money, Bonuses & the Parity Problem

The Classic features over $100,000 in prizes during Qualification alone, plus over $200,000 in available prize payouts. Any Archer who shoots a perfect 660 is eligible for a $20,000 bonus, though no one claimed it this year. There was also a spontaneous $1,000 offered by Rob Kaufhold to any Barebow Archer who could shoot a 600.

On top of that, many manufacturers offer contingencies that can double or even triple an Archer’s earnings if they’re shooting that company’s gear and place well.

Where things get truly “spicy” is payout parity:

Olympic Recurve: MEN: $8,000 > WOMEN: $4,000

Barebow & Open: MEN: $8,000 > WOMEN: $4,000 and $3,000 respectively.

The biggest gap: Open Pro: MEN: $20,000 > WOMEN $4,000

That’s a $16,000 difference for Archers performing under the same pressure and at the same distance.

Promoting prize parity and equal depth of payout would not only be fair but also a smart marketing tool: more women would attend. Organizers could advertise “same depth of payout structure” and “parity with winnings.”

This goes for many tournaments, not just the Classic.

Surprise! The Classic’s Anti-Doping Framework

I also touch on something many people don’t realize: there is drug testing at the Classic.

Even though it’s an independent tournament, the Classic follows the World Anti-Doping Code. I outline which category winners will be tested as part of the process and which will not be.

For parents: your Youth Archer is extremely unlikely to be tested, but it’s important to understand that the Classic operates under an anti-doping framework that protects the integrity of the results.

Why the Classic Keeps Us Coming Back

At the end of the episode, I circle back to the heart of it: community, growth, and experience.

I have been an Archery Mom for 11 years. I still haven’t found another event that feels quite like the Classic. It’s a place where seeds get planted: an Archer can stand beside legends, learn how Finals pressure feels, and discover gear and opportunities they didn’t know existed.

It’s a testing ground for different skill levels, a reunion space to catch up with friends, and a powerful way to start the year on a positive note.

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Key Points and Resources

Need to Know

• The Lancaster Classic 2027: January 21-24
• 2026 Lancaster Classic: Official site and Rules
• Spooky Nook Sports
• Scoring format: X = 11 (max 660), 20 ends of three arrows
• Cumulative scoring for all matches
• Finals venue 12-button specifics: 1.5 cm white circle at six o’clock between 7–8 rings, max four calls per match
• 2026 Scores

Divisions, Payouts & Bonuses

• “Medal-Only” divisions: Women’s Bowhunter, Youth Bowhunter, Masters Olympic Recurve, Women’s Masters Open; Women’s Bowhunter winner determined after Qualification (do not advance to Finals)
• Over $200,000 in prize payouts
• Perfect 660 Bonus: $20,000 to any Archer scoring 660; unclaimed in 2026
• Barebow 600 Challenge: $1,000 offered to any Barebow Archer scoring a 600; unclaimed for 2026
• Manufacturer contingencies: can double or triple winnings
• Recommendations for parity and depth of field payouts

Participation & Growth

• 2026 registrants: 2,312 Classic + 500 Youth & Collegiate = ~2,800 total
• International presence: over 20 countries represented
• Barebow and Longbow growth: exponential increase over the last 6–7 years

Mixed Team & Olympic Context

• 2026 addition: Mixed Team event at the Classic to mirror the Olympic trend.
• Recommendation: clubs and local tournaments to implement Mixed Team matches to normalize format and give Archers more experience

Logistics, Accommodations & Local Info

• Spooky Nook & Lancaster accommodation options: hotels, motels, and rentals at varying budgets
• Travel between Lancaster Archery Supply and Spooky Nook is about 20 minutes, up to 30+ with traffic
• 2027 Classic: January 21–24
• Accommodation blocks already open: “Lodging” on the Classic website.
• “Things to Do/Places to Go” video covers restaurants, attractions, shopping, and ice cream

Top Tips, Essential Packing List & FAQ

Read our blog article "Five Tips, Essential Packing List & FAQs" for everything you need to know when attending your first Lancaster Classic.