Beginner’s guide to the Saltillo 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final

We are one month away from the culmination of archery's premier international circuit - the 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final held in Saltillo, Mexico.

Eight athletes each from compound men and women and recurve men and women, have qualified themselves for the chance to win 20th edition of the prestigious competition.

The 32 athletes secured their spots either by winning one of the four stages - in Puebla (Mexico), Shanghai (China), Antalya (Türkiye) and Madrid (Spain) – or by collecting enough ranking points.

Two of the Nanjing 2025 World Cup Final winners are defending their titles. Andrea Maya Becerra Arizaga will be hoping to grab her second title in compound women whilst recurve men world number two Brady Ellison is aiming for his seventh trophy.

The recurve women champion An San will not be present nor will the compound men victor from Nanjing Emircan Haney of Türkiye. This year's European champion surprisingly did not win any of the stages nor accrue enough points to book a ticket to Saltillo.

It was also a shock to not see Sara Lopez last year in Nanjing but the compound women all-time great is back at the forefront of the sport following a great season and is looking to get World Cup Final gold number 10 in Mexico.

After the draw on Thursday – part of the opening ceremony –  the competition will be a straightforward bracket starting from the quarterfinals. The four archers who win in Saltillo will secure the title of Hyundai Archery World Cup Champion and a 30,000 CHF cash prize, with 15,000 CHF going to the runner-up, 8,000 to the third place finisher, and 1,500 to the fourth place finisher in each category. 

Saltillo is the sixth Mexican city to host the event. It follows Merida 2006 - the very first one -  Mexico City 2015, Tlaxcala 2022 and 2024, and Hermosillo 2023.

Schedule

• Thursday 10 September: Match draw
• Friday 11 September: Official practice
• Saturday 12 September: Compound finals
• Sunday 13 September: Recurve finals

Broadcast schedule

Equipment

Athletes at the Hyundai Archery World Cup compete in either the recurve or compound events, which correspond to the type of bow they use.

Recurve bows are the modern evolution of traditional bows. The limbs curve away from the archer at the top and bottom of the bow, which is what gives the ‘re-curve’ its name. The bows feature sights and stabilisers that help the archer to aim and release an arrow accurately.

The recurve events are currently included on the programme of the Olympic Games. 

Compound bows use a system of pulleys and cables, making them a more mechanically efficient and inherently accurate type of bow. The strength required to pull the bow is at its maximum at the start of the process, decreasing the further the bow is drawn back, which makes it easier to hold while aiming. Archers also use mechanical release aids and sights with magnified lenses to further increase accuracy.

Competition format

Eight archers compete in each category at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final, with the winner decided on the outcome of a matchplay bracket.

Each of the four competition sessions consists of eight matches: four quarterfinals, two semifinals, a bronze and a gold medal match. An archer must win three consecutive matches to be crowned Hyundai Archery World Cup Champion.

Rules: Recurve

Recurve archers shoot over a distance of 70 metres at targets measuring 122 centimetres in diameter, aiming to hit a 10-ring measuring just 12.2 centimetres in diameter – or about the size of an orange. Recurve matches are decided using the set system.

The goal is to accrue six set points. A set consists of three arrows and the maximum score is 30 points. At the end of each set, the archer with the highest combined arrow score is awarded two set points. Both archers receive one set point if the score is tied.

An archer can win a match quickly – with a score of 6-0 or in ‘straight sets’ – by winning three sets in a row.

Rules: Compound

Compound archers shoot over a distance of 50 metres at targets measuring 80 centimetres in diameter, with the four outer rings removed, aiming to hit a 10-ring measuring just eight centimetres in diameter. Compound matches are decided using cumulative scoring.

The goal is to acquire the most number of points over a certain number of arrows. Matches last for 15 arrows and are split into five ends of three arrows. The maximum score is 150 points and each match takes about 15 minutes.

Rules: Tiebreak

If a recurve match is tied at 5-5 after five sets or a compound match is tied on total score after 15 arrows then a shoot-off decides the winner. Both archers shoot a single arrow and the arrow that lands closest to the centre of the target wins the match.