The 2027 National Championship
The battle for arcade supremacy is back in 2027 with 8 high-stakes qualifiers across America!
Played on Pop-A-Shot Elite
Learn More →Winners Earn Free Airfare & Hotel
To National Championship Event2027 National Championship Series
We're going big in 2027, starting the season off with 5 Super Qualifiers in a row! At each location, the top two sharpshooters punch their ticket straight to the National Championship showdown with paid airfare and hotel accommodations. We’ve teamed up with Punch Bowl Social to host the action through June.
3 More Qualifiers Remaining
Three additional qualifier competitions and other signature events drop for June, July, August, and September. Sign up to get locations as soon as they are revealed.
The National Championship
All qualifier champions meet face-to-face for the ultimate shootout. Championship date, host city, and broadcast venue will be announced shortly.
Phillis Takes The Crown In Orlando
In April 2026, Mitch Phillis underwent major surgery to donate a kidney to his father, saving his life. Just four months later, entering only his second competitive live event ever as the #7 seed, he ran the gauntlet to take down #1 seed James Isham and capture the national crown.
Mitch shattered tournament accuracy records, missing just 31 shots across ten games (95.3% FG%), highlighted by a near-flawless 99% single-game performance to capture the trophy, the bling (The Champ Chain), and Pop-A-Shot immortality.
Meet The 2026 Field
12 of the nation’s top shooters met under the lights at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Swipe through the interactive cards below to inspect each player's high score and scouting report.
JOSHCAPUTO
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Josh Caputo
VL Team: Alley-Ope
Resume: 2024 National Champion, 2025 Semifinalist, 2026 Boston Winner, 2026 Spring Virtual League Winner (D2).
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Nick DeMarinis
VL Team: Tampa Bay Ballers
Resume: 2026 Portland Qualifier Winner, 2025 National Semifinalist, 2025 San Antonio Qualifier Winner.
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Bobby Derian
VL Team: Skyline Swishers
Resume: 2026 L.A. Qualifier Winner, 2026 Spring Virtual League Runner-Up (D1).
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James Isham
VL Team: Motor City Sharpshooters
Resume: 2026 National Runner-Up (#1 Seed), 2026 Indy Winner, 2026 Spring Virtual League Winner (D1).
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Cary Jordan
VL Team: Tampa Bay Ballers
Resume: 2026 New York Qualifier Winner, 2026 Boston Qualifier Semifinalist.
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Chris Murphy
VL Team: San Diego Garage Crew
Resume: 2026 Pop-A-Palooza Champion, 2026 St. Louis Winner, 2025 Fall Virtual League Champion.
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PKOW
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Michael Pashkow
VL Team: S'More PKOWS
Resume: 2025 National Championship Runner-Up, 2026 Boston Qualifier Winner.
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Mitch Phillis
VL Team: The Buckeye Ballers
Resume: 2026 National Champion (#7 Seed), 2026 Chicago Super Qualifier Winner.
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Gary Preston
VL Team: Skyline Swishers
Resume: 2026 Chicago Super Qualifier Winner, 2026 Spring Virtual League Runner-Up (D1).
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SCOTTSETZKE
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Scott Setzke
VL Team: Motor City Sharpshooters
Resume: 2025 National Champion, 2026 Final Four Semifinalist, 2026 Spring Virtual League Winner (D1).
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