The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) unveiled significant updates to the sport’s Olympic format on Thursday, with the new rules set to take effect on January 1, 2026. These changes, designed to enhance the competition experience for athletes and audiences, will be implemented in time for the Los Angeles 2028 qualification cycle.
One of the most notable changes is the increase in the number of athletes who will compete in the finals of the Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol and shotgun events. The number of finalists will rise from six to eight, aligning these events with the format used in all other individual finals. This adjustment aims to improve representation and provide greater consistency across all shooting disciplines.
Another key change affects the final of the 50m Rifle Three Positions, which will now be contested only in the ‘Standing’ position. This benefits athletes who also compete in the 10m Air Rifle, as it is a standing event. Despite this change, the qualification process remains unchanged, requiring shooters to demonstrate their skills in prone, kneeling, and standing positions.
In addition to these adjustments, significant changes have been made to the mixed team finals. Previously, gold and bronze medal matches were held, but this will no longer be the case. Instead, all four teams advancing from qualification will compete in a single elimination format to determine the medal winners.
The revision, aimed at improving sports presentation, is expected to simplify the format, which had posed challenges for commentators and the Olympic Broadcasting Services.
Despite these changes, qualification rounds for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will remain the same, and no alterations have been made to the final formats for the individual 10m Air Rifle and 10m Air Pistol events, as well as the Women’s 25m Pistol competition.
The ISSF confirmed that these new formats will not require additional technology or space and will not affect technical official resources. A series of trials for the revised formats will take place throughout 2025, ensuring that the final versions are fine-tuned for both athletes and spectators before the 2026 implementation.
Looking ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the confirmed events will include men’s and women’s 10m air rifle, 50m rifle three positions, 10m air pistol, skeet, and trap. Additionally, the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol, women’s 25m pistol, and mixed team events for 10m air rifle, 10m air pistol, and trap will be part of the Games’ shooting program.
ISSF President Luciano Rossi expressed his excitement about the confirmed events for Los Angeles 2028, stating: “We are extremely pleased and happy to have our 15 shooting events confirmed in the Olympic Programme for LA28. We thank and express our sincere gratitude to the IOC for their continued faith and trust in us as an Olympic Sport, as we continue to develop and grow the appeal and popularity of shooting disciplines within the Olympic ethos, as shown in the event-based evaluation of shooting at Paris 2024 and look forward to a great Games in 2028.”
ISSF Sport Director, Peter Underhill, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the collaborative effort between the ISSF, the IOC Sports Department, and LA28 to ensure smooth event delivery and enhanced sport presentation. “Following this decision by the IOC, our teams now look forward to working with the IOC Sports Department and LA28 in a continued spirit of great collaboration, as we endeavour to further enhance event delivery and sport presentation in Los Angeles. We can commence detailed planning now with confidence.”
With these new changes, the ISSF aims to provide a more dynamic and inclusive Olympic shooting experience, ensuring that athletes and fans alike can look forward to an exciting and accessible competition in 2028.