ISSF announces changes with 2026 Rulebook

After an analysis of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Review, discussion with the International Olympic Committee and internal consultations with our athletes, coaches, officials and other stakeholders, the International Shooting Sport Federation is delighted to confirm changes to our sport, detailed in the 2026 Rulebook, to come into force on 1 January 2026.

Considerations were made to reflect shooting sport’s standing in the Olympic Games in relation to other sporting disciplines, including sports presentation.

All relevant ISSF bodies, as well as the Olympic Broadcast Services and Technical Results Provider for the Games, Omega, were involved in consultation regarding these changes.

A total of 10 Olympic shooting sport events will have a new format for the finals, which will be in place for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The men’s 25m Rapid-Fire Pistol, men’s and women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions, men’s and women’s Trap and men’s and women’s Skeet all debuted their new final format at the 2025 ISSF World Cup Final, which acted as a test event.

Changes are also to be made to the finals of the three mixed team events: 10m Air Rifle, 10m Air Pistol and Trap.

Now, all individual finals will feature eight athletes, meaning the 25m Rapid-Fire Pistol, Trap and Skeet increase their field by two. Previously, six would qualify in each of these events.

Medal matches will not be separated for mixed team finals any more. Instead, all four qualified teams will compete in one competition.

These new formats have been made with an aim to reduce the duration of all finals too. These formats remain open to further minor adjustment following experiences from the recent conduct of these events in Doha at the ISSF WCF.

In addition, clothing regulations and stiffness tolerances have been changed for Rifle athletes, while live aiming has been added for Rifle and Pistol events and VAR (Video Assistant Referee) for Shotgun events.

The 2026 ISSF Rulebook can be found here