The GECO Masters have long been a fixture on the German IPSC calendar. From October 2-4, 2026, the event returns to the shooting range in Philippsburg for its 15th edition. Over three days, the focus will once again be on speed, accuracy and finding the smartest possible way to tackle each stage. The GECO Masters are held as an IPSC Level III Handgun Match.
Sponsored by German ammunition manufacturer GECO, the event has long since established a reputation well beyond Germany’s borders. Alongside the large German contingent, numerous shooters from other European countries traditionally make the trip to Philippsburg, resulting in a highly competitive field. Seasoned IPSC veterans compete side by side with ambitious up-and-coming shooters, and several members of the GECO Team will of course be taking part again this year.
The 2026 entry list once again includes several familiar names from the IPSC scene. Among those registered for the 15th GECO Masters are GECO Team shooters Sascha Back and Luis Ehrhardt from Germany, as well as Dutch shooter Dylan Keppel. All three have extensive competition experience and regularly achieve strong results at major national and international IPSC matches. Their performances at last year’s event showed that they will once again be contenders in 2026: at the GECO Masters 2025, all three GECO Team shooters delivered strong performances and corresponding top placements. This year, these experienced athletes will once again face leading national shooters and international competitors.
The high-level international field is, in fact, one of the defining features of the GECO Masters. There will be around 450 starts, with shooters coming from Germany and numerous neighboring European countries to compete on challenging IPSC stages in Philippsburg. The 2026 edition therefore promises plenty of close competition, particularly since some shooters will once again have the opportunity to leave with one of the coveted President’s Medals.
Because the GECO Masters 2026 is once again an IPSC Level III match, the prestigious President’s Medals will be among the most sought-after awards alongside the merchandise
prizes provided by sponsors such as GECO. These gold medals with purple ribbons are awarded at IPSC-sanctioned Level III matches to the winners of the Open, Standard, Classic, Production, Production Optics, Production Optics Light, Optics and Revolver divisions, provided that at least ten competitors take part in the respective division.
Medals are also awarded to the top competitors in the Lady, Junior, Super Junior, Senior and Super Senior categories when at least five shooters compete in each category. For completeness, it should be noted that, as is customary in Germany, Production Optics Light is not offered as a separate division at the GECO Masters, but is combined with Production Optics.
GECO IPSC Masters 2026: 15 stages and at least 280 rounds with pistol or revolver
Anyone competing at the GECO Masters should be prepared for a demanding program. This year’s match consists of 15 stages and around 280 rounds, all to be completed in a single competition day.
The match will be contested in the Open, Standard, Production, Production Optics, Classic, Revolver and the new Optics divisions, with the latter making its first appearance at the GECO Masters this year.
Naturally, an event of this size also requires a considerable amount of organization and coordination from the members of the Heidelberg Practical Pistol Club, who are once again responsible for running the GECO Masters. Leading the team are Match and Stats Director Reinhard Keltermann and Range Master Markus Wolmuth, who is certain to have devised another set of challenging stages demanding the full range of IPSC skills from competitors.
High accuracy alone will certainly not be enough. Fast target transitions, movement through the stages and the most efficient possible strategy will all play a part in deciding who ultimately comes out on top. It is precisely this combination of accuracy, speed and competition tactics that gives dynamic shooting sports their distinctive appeal.
All available match slots have already been allocated and registration is closed, although a number of shooters are still hoping to secure a place through the waiting list. This is yet another indication of the standing the GECO Masters have achieved within the IPSC community.
15 years of GECO Masters meet 500 years of Beretta: the new Beretta 94X comes to Philippsburg
Alongside the competition itself, interaction within the shooting-sports community has traditionally been an important part of the GECO Masters. Industry representatives will once again be on site, giving participants and visitors the opportunity to learn more about current products.
For 2026, one particular highlight stands out: Beretta is celebrating its 500th anniversary and will present the new Beretta 94X Performance at the GECO Masters. Interested visitors will not only be able to take a closer look at the pistol in Philippsburg, but also try it directly on the range. Once again, the event therefore combines top-level IPSC competition with the opportunity to experience current products from the shooting-sports industry in actual use.
GECO Masters 2026: valuable prizes and one Beretta 94X to be won every day
The now-traditional prize drawings will also return for the 15th edition of the event. As main sponsor, GECO will once again provide numerous merchandise prizes to be raffled among eligible competitors and Range Officers during the match. Because of this year’s “double anniversary” – the 15th GECO Masters and 500 years of Beretta – the main prize, or rather the main prizes, are especially attractive: on each of the three event days, a new Beretta 94X is scheduled to be raffled.
This means that not only the winners of the individual classifications have a chance to leave Philippsburg with a valuable prize, but all participants and Range Officers as well.
With this, the GECO Masters remain true to their established concept even in their 15th edition: demanding dynamic shooting at a high competitive level, combined with direct interaction between shooters, manufacturers and other representatives of the industry.
Key facts about the 15th GECO Masters 2026 for IPSC handgun shooters
The 15th GECO Masters will take place from Friday, October 2, through Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the shooting range in Philippsburg. The IPSC Level III Handgun Match will feature 15 stages requiring at least 280 rounds.
With its demanding competition program, international field of participants and Beretta’s anniversary presence, this year’s edition once again promises to be one of the most interesting IPSC events on the German competition calendar.
We will report on who ultimately came out on top at the GECO Masters 2026 in our event coverage following the Level III match in October.
Further information about the GECO Masters, the GECO IPSC Team and GECO ammunition is available on the GECO website.
More information about Beretta’s 500th anniversary and the 94X Performance is available on Beretta website.
