Teal targets for field archery to trial at 2025 World Games in Chengdu

The field archery competitions at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu (China) will use yellow-teal target faces, rather than the traditional yellow-black, to improve the spectator experience.

Spotting arrow impacts on the black target, both in the venue and on broadcast, was difficult.

The new teal face is a subtle change that makes the (normally black) arrow shaft more easily visible, especially in lower light conditions, while retaining a similar aiming experience to the traditional target, minimising any impact to athletes and the competition.

A range of new colour options were tested with resident athletes at the World Archery Excellence Centre in Lausanne (Switzerland). The colour selected to replace black was Pantone 4185C*.

Sample targets were distributed to teams at the second stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Shanghai and are available from licensed target manufacturer YOUYI.

The teal target face is currently in use for the 2025 World Games only. It affects no other competitions.

Feedback from this event will be used to inform any longer-term changes.

Archery at the World Games features both target (compound) and field (recurve and barebow) disciplines. Field archery first appeared at the multisport event in 1985. Competition this summer in Chengdu runs from 7 to 17 August.

*Pantone 4185C is approximately equivalent to hex code #387F97, RGB (56, 127, 51) and CYMK (62.9, 15.9, 0, 40.8).