Competitors and spectators will begin arriving in the city on Thursday ahead of the Australian Trap Shooting Championships to be held at the national shooting grounds on Tasman Road.

The championships will kick off on Sunday with an opening ceremony, and competition will run from Monday through until Sunday week.

But shooters are keen to get to Wagga early to take part in the practice rounds on Thursday and Friday.

All up, more than 500 shooters will take part in the tournament over the six days of competition.

But Australian Clay Target Association executive officer Tony Turner says hundreds more are expected to come just for a look.

"We have more than 500 competitors, but probably another 1500 in support teams, friends and family as well," Turner said.

"It's a big week.

"We have a few internationals who will come over and pop in for a look.

"That's a lot of people coming to Wagga for a week."

Turner says the championships will give Wagga's economy a giant shot in the arm as the 2000-plus visitors splash out on accommodation, food and entertainment.

The shooters themselves will travel from every state in Australia, and a handful from across the Tasman in New Zealand.

Current Australian team members George Barton, Steve Atkins, Brian Marns and Geoff Aston will all be in attendance, as well as junior world champion James Willett from Corowa and veteran world champion John Maxwell from Sydney.

One of the sport's brightest young talents, Victorian shooter Mitchell Illes, will back up from his three New Zealand national titles when competing in open company.

The championships are open to spectators and free of charge.

Shooting will commence at 8am each morning and daily presentations will be made at approximately 6pm to event winners.