Para Archery Series 2026 is coming to India for the first time, with Ahmedabad set to host the Hyundai World Archery Para Series from September 5 to September 9, 2026. The international event will take place at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Gujarat and will bring para archers from several countries together for five days of competition.

The Ahmedabad event is the third stage of the 2026 World Archery Para Series. It will feature competitions in the Recurve Open, Compound Open, W1 and Visually Impaired categories. The event is an important development for para sports in India and will give Indian athletes an opportunity to compete against leading international archers on home ground.

Para Archery Series 2026

The Para Archery Series is an international competition organised under World Archery, the global governing body for the sport. The 2026 circuit consists of three stages held in different countries.

The first stage was held in Bangkok, Thailand, followed by the second stage in Nove Mesto, Czechia. Ahmedabad will host the third stage, making India one of the three countries selected to hold a World Archery Para Series event in 2026.

The competition will bring together experienced para athletes and emerging archers, creating a strong international field ahead of other major events on the para sports calendar.

Ahmedabad Hosts the International Event

The Para Archery Series will be held at the Sabarmati Riverfront, one of Ahmedabad’s major public and sporting spaces. Hosting an international para archery event at such a prominent location is expected to increase public awareness of the sport and para athletes.

The formal inauguration of the Ahmedabad stage is scheduled for September 4 at The Forum – Hotel & Convention in Ahmedabad. Competition will then begin on September 5 and continue until September 9.

The event is being organised with the support of the Archery Association of India, the Government of Gujarat, the Sports Authority of Gujarat and the Sports Authority of India.

Indian Archers Prepare for Competition

India has prepared a 29-member squad for the Para Archery Series. The Indian archers trained at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar from August 23 to September 2.

The squad includes several well-known Indian para archers, including Paris 2024 Paralympic medallists Harvinder Singh, Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar.

Their participation adds significant experience to the Indian team. The athletes will also have the advantage of competing in familiar surroundings and in front of a home audience.

Eleven members of the 29-member squad have also been selected for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan. The Ahmedabad competition therefore provides an important opportunity for these athletes to test their preparation against international competition.

Different Para Archery Categories

The Para Archery Series includes several categories based on athletes’ functional abilities and the equipment they use.

The Recurve Open and Compound Open categories feature athletes who compete using different types of bows. The W1 category is designed for athletes with specific physical impairments, while the Visually Impaired category is designed for archers with vision-related disabilities.

Each category has its own competition requirements and classification system. This allows athletes with different types of disabilities to compete under appropriate sporting conditions.

The format also highlights how para archery combines technical skill, concentration and physical control.

Strong International Participation

The Ahmedabad stage is expected to attract more than 100 athletes from countries around the world. World Archery reported 109 athletes from 19 nations for the event, while information from the Gujarat government referred to more than 100 athletes from 20 countries.

The international participation will make Ahmedabad an important meeting point for some of the world’s leading para archers. Athletes will be able to compete against opponents from different archery systems and sporting backgrounds.

For Indian archers, the event offers valuable international exposure without requiring them to travel overseas.

India’s Growing Para Sports Profile

The arrival of the Para Archery Series in India comes as the country continues to expand its presence in international para sports. Indian athletes have produced strong performances at recent Paralympic Games and other global competitions.

The success of athletes such as Harvinder Singh, Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar has helped bring greater attention to para archery in the country. Hosting international events can further support this growth by giving athletes access to high-level competition and allowing younger players to watch leading performers.

Events held in India can also help organisers improve facilities, technical systems and experience in conducting international para sporting competitions.

Importance Ahead of Future Events

The Para Archery Series in Ahmedabad is also an important preparation opportunity for Indian athletes targeting upcoming international competitions. With several members of the squad selected for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the event will allow them to assess their form against strong international opposition.

The competition will also provide World Archery with an opportunity to expand the reach of para archery in India. Bringing the event to a major Indian city can introduce the sport to new audiences and encourage more athletes with disabilities to take up archery.

With the Ahmedabad stage running from September 5 to 9, India is set to become a new host on the World Archery Para Series circuit and place para archery in the spotlight at one of Gujarat’s major public venues.