Preview: 500 points at stake as Merida hosts the penultimate Indoor World Series stop
After a strong start to the 2026 season with the Nimes Archery Tournament, attention now turns to the penultimate 500-point Indoor Archery World Series in Merida.
Some of the world’s top-ranked archers, including compound world number ones Mathias Fullerton and Andrea Becerra, are set to compete in Mexico.
Mike Schloesser’s second-place finish in Nimes last month, which included a thrilling shoot-off win over Fullerton in the semifinals, has strengthened the world number two’s title ambitions in Merida. Fans may also be hoping for another tantalising showdown between the two. Ajay Scott will also compete this weekend.
All three compound men have claimed at least one Indoor World Series gold medal this season, adding further intrigue to the competition.
Bronze medallist in Nimes, Ella Gibson, will be hoping to go one step further, although world number one Becerra stands as the firm favourite to take the compound women’s title on home soil.
Several winners from this season’s 250-point tournaments are also expected to compete.
In recurve men, USA’s Nicholas D’Amour, the Netherlands’ Willem Bakker and Mexico’s Matias Grande are set to lead the field and will be among the favourites.
In recurve women, Victoria Sebastian will be looking to secure her third title of the season after victories at the Taipei Archery Ope and last month’s Nimes tournament. Local youngster Angela Ruiz will also attract attention after the Pan American Indoor Champion finished on the podium in her first appearance on the circuit in Nimes.
Merida, a new stop on the Indoor World Series calendar, is the only 500-point tournament in the series before Vegas and is being played under the new competition format..
As the penultimate event of the circuit, Merida 2026 offers challengers a final opportunity to close the gap in the rankings or for leaders to strengthen their position ahead of the series finale in March.
Key information
What’s happening? The Indoor World Series Merida 2026 at Yucatán Siglo XXI Convention Center on 13-15 February 2026.
What’s at stake? 500 Indoor World Series ranking points ahead of the final event of the season in Vegas.
Who’s competing? 290 archers from 13 countries.
What’s the story? Exciting contests are expected at Merida, the only 500-point tournament on the Indoor World Series calendar before Vegas. Two of the four world number ones, alongside medallists from this season’s 250-point tournaments, will compete.
Schedule
- Saturday 14 February: Qualifying (two sessions) and eliminations
- Sunday 15 February: Finals (elite and youth)
How to watch
Watch live footage of the elite and youth finals on Sunday with a subscription to archery+.
Live scores will be available on the World Archery website and there will be coverage on World Archery’s digital platforms throughout the competition.
Who’s competing?
Full entries are available online. These are the top-ranked archers shooting at Merida in 2026:
- Recurve men: Matias Grande, Mexico (world rank: 3)
- Recurve women: Victoria Sebastian, France (world rank: 9)
- Compound men: Mathias Fullerton, Denmark (world rank: 1)
- Compound women: Andrea Becerra, Mexico (world rank: 1)
Competition at the Merida Indoor World Series 500 begins on Friday.
