The final competition formats for shooting sport at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games have been confirmed following a series of tests conducted at ISSF competitions. Developed through close collaboration between the ISSF, athletes and stakeholders, the formats are designed to enhance athlete performance, improve competition flow and increase spectator engagement, while maintaining the core principles of the sport.
The LA28 programme will feature 15 medal events across rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines, with finals formats building on the successful framework used at Paris 2024 while introducing targeted adjustments in several events.
Among the most significant changes are the mixed team events. In both the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team as well as Trap Mixed Team competitions, the top four teams from qualification will advance directly to a single final. Unlike previous Olympic formats, all four teams will compete simultaneously from the start, eliminating the separate gold and bronze medal matches and creating a more dynamic and streamlined medal contest.
Changes have also been introduced in several individual events. The 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men final will expand from six to eight athletes, bringing it into line with most other Olympic shooting sport finals. Similarly, Trap and Skeet finals for both men and women will now feature eight finalists instead of six, providing more athletes with the opportunity to compete for Olympic medals.
The 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men and Women finals will retain their distinctive format but with an important adjustment. The kneeling and prone stages will be combined into a single phase with an overall time limit, allowing athletes to manage their own transitions between positions rather than following commanded changeovers. This change is intended to create a smoother competition flow while preserving the technical demands of the discipline.
Several events will remain unchanged from Paris 2024, including the individual 10m Air Rifle, 10m Air Pistol and 25m Pistol Women finals, which have become familiar to athletes and spectators alike over recent Olympic cycles.
Across all disciplines, the formats continue to culminate in progressive eliminations that build tension and excitement through to the medal-deciding shots. The revised structure aims to deliver a compelling experience for athletes, spectators and broadcasters while showcasing the precision, skill and mental strength that define Olympic shooting sport.
The first athletes to begin their journey towards competing under these formats will be those participating in the ISSF World Championship Rifle / Pistol / Shotgun Doha 2026, where the first Olympic quota places for Los Angeles 2028 will be awarded.