2026 USA National Championships - DBQ

CallShotCowboy

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Wonder what the turn out will look like this year?


2026 National Championships Square Social no silhouettes_02.png
 
I hope it's gaining popularity. I've long been outspoken about the BCA's involvement in professional pool, only to be told that it's an industry member group and doesn't really have anything to do with promoting professional pool—or words to that effect.

Yet the Billiard Congress of America is the governing body of North America, and as such, I believe it should play a role in supporting and promoting American professional pool.

Last year was the inaugural event, and I think the announcement came a little too close to tournament time. This year, however, I'm hoping to see a larger field and increased participation. According to the BCA Facebook page, players expected to compete include Shane Van Boening, Justin Bergman, Tyler Styer, Rodney Morris, Oscar Dominguez, April Larsen, Savannah Easton, and more.

The stronger the turnout, the stronger the statement that American professional pool still matters.

Here's a cute promotional video on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2179802212818230
 
... The stronger the turnout, the stronger the statement that American professional pool still matters. ...
I think that for it to be a legitimate national championship, it needs to attract most of the top ten players. Here's that list:
  1. Shane Van Boening USA846
  2. Skyler Woodward USA810
  3. Mike Dechaine USA804
  4. Thorsten Hohmann USA794
  5. Anthony Meglino USA794
  6. Oscar Dominguez USA792
  7. Tyler Styer USA792
  8. Justin Bergman USA792
  9. Joven Bustamante USA78
  10. Josh Roberts USA780
Not sure that Joven has US citizenship. I think that Fedor is not yet qualified to play.

It looks like SVB will be in South Carolina for an exhibition for at least part of the championships.
 
Here is the schedule:

2026 National Pool Championship Events hosted by USA Cue Sports in Dubuque, IA from 5-12 July 2026.
  • Professional Men's 9 Ball: 5 July (10:00) - 6 July (21:00)
  • Professional Men's 10 Ball: 7 July (17:00) - 11 July (13:00)
  • Professional Women's 9 Ball: 6 July (17:00) - 8 July (21:00)
  • Professional Women's 10 Ball: 8 July (17:00) - 11 July (13:00)
  • Coed Wheelchair 8 Ball: 9 July (17:00) - 11 July (15:00)
  • Coed Wheelchair 10 Ball: 6 July (17:00) - 8 July (21:00)
  • U19 Male 9 Ball: 8 July (14:30) - 10 July (19:00)
  • U19 Male 10 Ball: 9 July (10:00) - 11 July (17:00)
  • U17 Male 9 Ball: 7 July (11:00) - 10 July (19:00)
  • U17 Male 10 Ball: 9 July (15:00) - 11 July (17:00)
  • U19 Female 9 Ball: 7 July (09:00) - 10 July (15:00)
  • U19 Female10 Ball: 9 July (11:00) - 11 July (15:00)
 
American pool needs it and it needs to grow every year.
I hope that the players will give a damn and show up.
 
Nearby decent hotels are surprisingly expensive at about $200 a night. There are some shitty ones for under $100 that are a short drive away.
 
So that registered list shows SVB, Bergman, Oscar, and Styer. That's it.

So will the winner get a BCA paid spot in the World 10 or World 9?
As I recall last year, it was the top player in each division. I think it was entry and travel expenses.
 
Here is the schedule:

2026 National Pool Championship Events hosted by USA Cue Sports in Dubuque, IA from 5-12 July 2026.
  • Professional Men's 9 Ball: 5 July (10:00) - 6 July (21:00)
  • Professional Men's 10 Ball: 7 July (17:00) - 11 July (13:00)
  • Professional Women's 9 Ball: 6 July (17:00) - 8 July (21:00)
  • Professional Women's 10 Ball: 8 July (17:00) - 11 July (13:00)
  • Coed Wheelchair 8 Ball: 9 July (17:00) - 11 July (15:00)
  • Coed Wheelchair 10 Ball: 6 July (17:00) - 8 July (21:00)
  • U19 Male 9 Ball: 8 July (14:30) - 10 July (19:00)
  • U19 Male 10 Ball: 9 July (10:00) - 11 July (17:00)
  • U17 Male 9 Ball: 7 July (11:00) - 10 July (19:00)
  • U17 Male 10 Ball: 9 July (15:00) - 11 July (17:00)
  • U19 Female 9 Ball: 7 July (09:00) - 10 July (15:00)
  • U19 Female10 Ball: 9 July (11:00) - 11 July (15:00)
Why use the word "Professional" on the name of some of the events?
 
Why use the word "Professional" on the name of some of the events?
I suppose so as not to offend those involved with amateur (league) championships, but it doesn't make any sense unless they establish separate divisions of pro/am. I think many of those entered will not be professional pool players.
 
Nearby decent hotels are surprisingly expensive at about $200 a night. There are some shitty ones for under $100 that are a short drive away.
The recommended hotel is the Holiday Inn on Main Street. The tournament rate there with tax was $145/night. I've stayed there before, and it's a nice hotel. It's a little over half a mile from the convention center.
 
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