Whether you’re an experienced officer or just stepping into the competitive scene, The Tactical Games offer a one-of-a-kind test of skill, stamina and tactical know-how. This guide is designed to help law enforcement professionals — and anyone curious about competing — get the lay of the land, understand the rules and show up prepared to perform their best.
What are The Tactical Games?
The Tactical Games are intense athletic events designed to blend physical fitness and firearms proficiency into one demanding competition. Participants from all walks of life — including military personnel, law enforcement, competitive shooters and civilian enthusiasts — are challenged through a series of obstacle-based stages that push their endurance, marksmanship and gear to the limit.
To get a clearer picture of what competitions are really like, check out the official overview video. It walks you through check-in procedures, kickoff, squad and athlete number assignments, launch timing and how the stages are typically structured. Whether you’re still on the fence about signing up or just days away from your first event, the video is a helpful tool to set expectations and boost your confidence.
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How much does it cost to compete in The Tactical Games?
Competing in The Tactical Games comes with a notable financial commitment. The entry fee alone is typically around $350 and that’s just the starting point. Participants often invest significantly in gear, which can easily total thousands of dollars depending on brand and configuration. Ammunition and range time add further expense. A solid training cycle can mean hundreds of dollars in ammo alone, not including targets, range fees or travel costs. Many competitors also factor in vehicle travel, lodging, meals, and additional gear like clothing, hydration systems and protective equipment.
Despite these costs, many officers view the investment as worthwhile due to the dual-use value of the gear and the real-world skills they gain. As noted in a blog post by MISSION: Capable, the competition feels more like testing and optimizing your personal kit than buying equipment for a one-off event. While the price can be steep, the experience is often described as rewarding, challenging and deeply community-driven.
Why should police officers participate in The Tactical Games?
For law enforcement officers looking to sharpen their edge and push their capabilities, The Tactical Games provide an immersive opportunity to train like you operate. It’s more than just competition — it’s a proving ground that mirrors the realities of the job and delivers real-world benefits. Here’s how participating can elevate your performance both on and off duty:
- Skill development: These competitions replicate high-stress situations that require officers to make fast, accurate decisions while under physical duress. It’s an opportunity to sharpen tactical awareness, build weapons-handling efficiency and reinforce mission-focused thinking.
- Physical conditioning: The training required for The Tactical Games promotes consistent, full-body fitness. Officers who participate often report better endurance, agility and injury resilience, translating directly to better job performance during foot pursuits, defensive tactics and critical incidents.
- Community building: The Tactical Games foster a supportive community of like-minded individuals who understand the demands of the job. It’s a space to build camaraderie, exchange tactics and wellness strategies, and find mentorship across departments and disciplines.
- Mental toughness: Every stage of The Tactical Games challenges mental grit — requiring calm focus, problem-solving and composure when the pressure is on. For officers, this mental conditioning supports emotional resilience, better stress management and sharper performance in real-world encounters.
In the video below, YouTuber “Double Life Dave” recaps his first time competing in The Tactical Games during a regional match in Holt. Florida. He shows each stage of the competition and explains key takeaways from his first event.
What equipment does a Tactical Games competitor need?
Preparing for The Tactical Games involves more than just physical training; you’ll need the right gear and a solid understanding of how to use it. Each item has a specific role to play in safety, performance and compliance. To make things simple, we’ve organized this into two categories: required gear, which all competitors must bring, and suggested gear, which can help make your weekend more comfortable and efficient.
Required weapons and ammunition:
- Primary firearm: A centerfire rifle of at least .223 caliber with a compliant muzzle device
- Secondary firearm: A duty-style or competition-capable handgun
- Ammunition: Bring 250 rounds per platform, though exact counts may vary per event
- Magazines: Minimum of five per weapon to ensure smooth stage transitions
- Retention gear: Magazine pouches, a secure holster (belt or drop-leg) and a rifle sling
- Chamber flags: Essential for non-shooting movement and range safety compliance
Not required, but many suggest bringing, are red dot sights, which are permitted for all divisions, and secondary powered optics, which are allowed on rifles.
Required gear:
- Plate carrier: Weighed separately from gear; 12-pound minimum for women and 15-pound minimum for men
- Eye and ear protection: Mandatory during all shooting phases
- Belt: Holster is required to be carried at or around hip level; drop-leg holsters are authorized
While not mandatory, several items can greatly enhance your comfort, performance and recovery throughout the competition weekend. Durable tactical pants and a moisture-wicking shirt are ideal for handling movement-intensive stages and fluctuating weather conditions. Footwear matters too; opt for supportive boots or trail shoes that can handle rough terrain. Protective gloves and knee pads will save your hands and joints during crawling, kneeling and rope work.
For sun and weather protection, bring a hat, sunscreen, and consider setting up a tent or canopy with folding chairs for breaks between stages. A steady supply of hydration and high-calorie food is also crucial for maintaining energy and focus through the long days of exertion.
In the video below, join Josh from Parro’s Gun Shop as he walks through the gear he used during his first Tactical Games competition. Learn what worked, what he’d change and the lessons he picked up along the way.
How to prepare for Tactical Games competitions
Preparation for The Tactical Games goes far beyond basic fitness or range time; it’s about training your entire body, mind and workflow for tactical performance under pressure. The best competitors take a holistic approach that blends strength and conditioning, practical shooting and deliberate gear integration.
Start by building a functional fitness foundation with movements like sandbag carries, sled drags and rucking. These will build the kind of strength and stamina needed to power through physical stages. But fitness alone isn’t enough — you need to hone your marksmanship while fatigued. Set up drills that force you to shoot accurately after running, lifting or navigating obstacles.
Familiarize yourself with all of your gear long before competition day. That includes your plate carrier, rifle sling, belt setup and magazine pouches. Training in your kit helps identify discomforts or inefficiencies and builds the muscle memory you’ll need under stress.
Recovery is just as important as training. Staying hydrated, prioritizing sleep, and maintaining proper nutrition will help you train harder and reduce injury risk. Finally, try to simulate competition scenarios as closely as possible — time your drills, rehearse complex stage setups and visualize how you’ll transition between movements. This mental and physical preparation will pay off when it matters most.
The Tactical Games demand a unique mix of fitness and firearms proficiency. In these videos, Brandon from TREX Training shares how he structures his training to prepare for the sport — breaking it down into manageable, focused segments. Whether you’re a competitor or just curious about the prep, this is a solid look behind the scenes.
How to qualify for The Tactical Games 2025 National Championship
To compete at the 2025 National Championship, athletes must earn qualification through a Tactical Games regional or team event. Competitors need to finish in the top five of their division, which includes men’s and women’s elite, tactical and 40+ categories. For the men’s 60+ and women’s 50+ divisions, qualification is based on overall point totals across the season and athletes may compete in any division to be eligible.
Tactical Games 2025 National Championship Details:
- Dates: November 14-16, 2025
- Location: Reveille Peak Ranch, 1610 Co Rd 115, Burnet, Texas
This three-day competition crowns the top Tactical Games athletes in each division. Expect a challenging blend of endurance, strength and marksmanship stages set against the rugged terrain of Central Texas.
The Tactical Games 2024 National Championship was held at Reveille Peak Ranch on Day 1 and then the Texas Shooting Academy for Days 2 and 3. There were 240 athletes, 152,000 rounds shot and three hours of stage time per athlete.
Final thoughts about The Tactical Games
The Tactical Games are more than just a competition — they’re a proving ground. A chance to test your limits, build your community and become a more capable tactical athlete. For law enforcement officers especially, this event is an opportunity to train with purpose, challenge yourself outside of your daily duties, and connect with a community that values tactical skill and physical resilience.
To learn more about upcoming competitions, official rules, registration details and division breakdowns, visit the official Tactical Games website here. You can also follow The Tactical Games on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
Police1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.
