Following an action-packed first half of the year, which featured World Cups across three continents, including the ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Lonato, the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Hangzhou; and the the ISSF World Championship Moving Target in Tallinn and the ISSF Junior World Championships in Suhl, the international shooting sport calendar now enters a short break before returning with several major competitions that will shape the remainder of the 2026 season.
While athletes will enjoy a well-earned period to recover, train and prepare, attention is already turning towards a busy autumn schedule that includes continental championships, World Cup, World Championships, World Cup Finals and the first opportunities to secure quota places for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
While athletes will enjoy a well-earned period to recover, train and prepare, attention is already turning towards a busy autumn schedule that includes continental championships, World Cup, World Championships, World Cup Finals and the first opportunities to secure quota places for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
Junior World Cup returns in September
The competitive season resumes in September with the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun in Porpetto, Italy, from 12 to 20 September. The event will bring together many of the world's most promising young shotgun athletes as they continue their development on the international stage and build towards future senior success.
At the same time, several athletes will also compete at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, while Europe's leading shotgun shooters will contest the European Championship Shotgun in Athens, Greece, ensuring a busy month of high-level competition across the continent and Asia.
The competitive season resumes in September with the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun in Porpetto, Italy, from 12 to 20 September. The event will bring together many of the world's most promising young shotgun athletes as they continue their development on the international stage and build towards future senior success.
At the same time, several athletes will also compete at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, while Europe's leading shotgun shooters will contest the European Championship Shotgun in Athens, Greece, ensuring a busy month of high-level competition across the continent and Asia.
Cairo hosts a crucial October double-header
October will see the international circuit move to Egypt for two major ISSF competitions at the Egyptian International Olympic City Shooting Range.
The ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol will take place in Cairo from 8 to 16 October, providing one final opportunity for many athletes to test themselves against the world's best before the World Championships.
Immediately afterwards, Cairo will host the ISSF World Championship 300m Rifle from 15 to 20 October. Following the successful return of the discipline in 2025, the championship once again underlines the ISSF's commitment to preserving one of the sport's most historic events while offering specialists the opportunity to compete for world titles.
October will see the international circuit move to Egypt for two major ISSF competitions at the Egyptian International Olympic City Shooting Range.
The ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol will take place in Cairo from 8 to 16 October, providing one final opportunity for many athletes to test themselves against the world's best before the World Championships.
Immediately afterwards, Cairo will host the ISSF World Championship 300m Rifle from 15 to 20 October. Following the successful return of the discipline in 2025, the championship once again underlines the ISSF's commitment to preserving one of the sport's most historic events while offering specialists the opportunity to compete for world titles.
Doha takes centre stage
The highlight of the season will undoubtedly be the ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Doha, Qatar, from 1 to 14 November.
The championships will bring together the world's best rifle, pistol and shotgun athletes for one of the biggest events on the international calendar. Beyond the fight for world titles, Doha will also mark the beginning of the Road to Los Angeles 2028, with the first Olympic quota places for the LA28 Games set to be awarded.
With Olympic champions, reigning world champions and emerging talents expected to compete, the championships promise two weeks of world-class competition and will represent one of the most important milestones of the Olympic cycle.
The highlight of the season will undoubtedly be the ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Doha, Qatar, from 1 to 14 November.
The championships will bring together the world's best rifle, pistol and shotgun athletes for one of the biggest events on the international calendar. Beyond the fight for world titles, Doha will also mark the beginning of the Road to Los Angeles 2028, with the first Olympic quota places for the LA28 Games set to be awarded.
With Olympic champions, reigning world champions and emerging talents expected to compete, the championships promise two weeks of world-class competition and will represent one of the most important milestones of the Olympic cycle.
Season finale in Rome
The 2026 international season will conclude in Rome, Italy, where the ISSF World Cup Final Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun will take place from 3 to 8 December.
Reserved for the season's top performers, the World Cup Final traditionally brings together the highest-ranked athletes from across the World Cup circuit in a prestigious end-of-season competition. It will provide a fitting conclusion to another memorable year of international shooting sport before attention turns fully towards the 2027 season and the continued journey to Los Angeles 2028.
The 2026 international season will conclude in Rome, Italy, where the ISSF World Cup Final Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun will take place from 3 to 8 December.
Reserved for the season's top performers, the World Cup Final traditionally brings together the highest-ranked athletes from across the World Cup circuit in a prestigious end-of-season competition. It will provide a fitting conclusion to another memorable year of international shooting sport before attention turns fully towards the 2027 season and the continued journey to Los Angeles 2028.