Archery has been confirmed on the sports programme for the next edition of the World Games 2029, set to take place in Karlsruhe, Germany, from 19 to 29 July 2029.
The inclusion was ratified by members of the International World Games Association during its Annual General Meeting in Lausanne on 25 April, marking a key milestone in preparations for the multisport event.
Archery is among the first group of sports confirmed for Karlsruhe, as part of a programme designed to balance established disciplines with emerging and trend sports while reflecting the diversity and innovation of the World Games movement.
“The World Games are an important platform for archery, particularly for compound and field disciplines,” said World Archery secretary general Raul Calin. “Their continued inclusion reflects the strength and global reach of the sport and provides valuable opportunities for athletes to compete at the highest level outside of the Olympic Games.”
Around 4000 athletes from more than 100 countries are expected to compete at the event, one of the largest international showcases for sports outside the Olympic programme.
The finalisation of disciplines and the short list of invitational sports will be ratified on 1 July 2026. The qualification period is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027. Additional disciplines proposed by the host city, including run archery, could also feature on the programme, with a final decision to be made at the same time.
At the most recent edition of the Games in Chengdu in 2025, a total of 100 athlete quota places were available in archery: 52 for compound and 24 each for recurve and barebow, split equally across men and women. Eleven nations also contested the compound mixed team event.
Archery has been a regular feature of the World Games and continues to provide a global platform for the sport’s development, particularly for compound and field disciplines.
Recurve and barebow archers initially competed in field archery events at the World Games, with compound added in 1993. The compound competition was changed to a target format in 2013. Run archery could also feature at Karlsruhe 2029.
