Shooting sports will be included in the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. Speculation over the issue was put to rest when the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) made the announcement this week.
It has been confirmed that Clay Target (Trap), 10m Air Pistol, 10m Air Rifle (Small-Bore) and Para Shooting (paralympic event) would be included in the competition program for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Sadly, Full Bore shooting has not been included; the official explanation is that it “could not be accommodated”, despite the fact there are plenty of fullbore rifle ranges in Victoria.
The announcement did not state specifically where shooting matches for the Games would be held, with discussions regarding that understood to be taking place in the coming weeks, but it has previously been confirmed that Bendigo will be hosting the shooting events for the 2026 Games.
Despite shooting’s long history as a competitive sport, its inclusion in the Commonwealth Games was not guaranteed – it was absent from this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Shooting Australia CEO Adam Sachs said the announcement was something the shooting community should be coming together to celebrate.
“We are truly grateful for the significant contributions from and collaboration between shooting’s key stakeholders including our international federations, our national member organisations and their nominated representatives, and the wider shooting community,” he said.
“This unified approach has resulted in shooting’s re-admission to the Commonwealth Games and we are excited that our athletes and our sport have been given the opportunity to contribute to the success of Victoria 2026.
“Shooting Australia looks forward to working closely with the International Shooting Sports Federation, the CGF, Victorian Government and Commonwealth Games Australia to progress plans for the successful delivery of an innovative, integrated event program for shooting at the Commonwealth Games in less than four years’ time.”
Australia tops the gold medal tables in Commonwealth Games shooting events, having collected 70 gold medals in the discipline since it was first included in 1966.
The inclusion of shooting on the program for the upcoming Games means that number is no doubt set to rise further.
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