ISSF plans major rule changes to modernize shooting for 2028 LA Olympics

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) is preparing to revamp the sport of shooting to make it more accessible and spectator-friendly ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. ISSF president Luciano Rossi announced that new formats and rule changes are expected to be implemented by 2026, with the aim of drawing a wider audience and enhancing the excitement of the sport.

Speaking ahead of the World Cup Final, Rossi emphasized the need for uniformity across events, particularly in shotgun disciplines like skeet and trap, where only six finalists currently compete in the medal round. The ISSF plans to increase the number of finalists in these events to eight, matching the format used for rifle and pistol finals. These changes are part of a broader effort to shorten event durations and increase their appeal to both spectators and broadcasters.

While the specific details of the rule changes are still under consideration, Rossi highlighted that the modifications will be designed to make the finals more engaging and competitive.

“We realised that the spectators and broadcasters were not happy with our finals -- they were too long and lacked emotion. I have shared some ideas with our technical committee which will assess them," he was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

The proposed changes aim to address issues with the current shotgun events, where the outdoor conditions, such as wind and rain, already present challenges to the athletes.

By making these events leaner, the ISSF hopes to strike a balance between maintaining the technical integrity of the sport while making it more appealing for television audiences. The qualification rounds for skeet and trap, which currently span 2-3 days and involve 125 shots, could also be adjusted to fit the new format.

For the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the ISSF has confirmed that the number of shooting events will remain the same as in Paris, with 15 events and a total field of 340 participants (170 men and 170 women).

“We have communicated this to the (LA Games) organising committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). We have had a very difficult relationship with IOC earlier but things have changed. We share a very cordial relationship," Rossi noted.

A notable shift under consideration is the possible removal of the ranking system for Olympic qualification.

“We noticed that the ranking system benefitted only the bigger and stronger nations. Going forward, we want to designate every World Cup two years before the Olympics as a quota event,” he explained.

By 2027, the first World Cup with the new rules is expected to take place.

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India likely to get 2027 Olympic Qualifier; application received, says ISSF president

India is also set to play a key role in the lead-up to the 2028 Olympics. The country has applied to host an Olympic qualifier in 2027, a decision that is expected to be finalized by the International Shooting Sport Federation's executive committee. With India’s growing prominence in the sport, this development could offer a significant boost to the nation’s shooters on the global stage.

“We’ve received India’s application. The final decision rests with the ISSF executive committee but I don’t see a problem," Rossi said.