The Swiss Open returns with exciting new features

As is now tradition, the Hyundai Indoor World Series will begin with the Swiss Open in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Registration for the HIWS 250 event opens on 5 August, with the event taking place from 30 October to 1 November 2026.

This will be the tournament’s third edition under the Swiss Open name.

The open-entry competition is held at the World Archery Excellence Centre, a venue that combines the friendly atmosphere of an open tournament with the precision and intensity of archery’s biggest events.

This year’s edition will feature major changes to both the weekend’s competition format and the activities available to participants.

The biggest change is the schedule for the 250-category finals. The medal matches for compound men and women and recurve men and women will take place on Sunday afternoon. In previous years, these headline categories decided their podium places on Saturday evening.

However, the biggest news for a growing share of the archery community is the fact that the barebow division will finally feature at the Swiss Open.

Barebow archers will have the chance to shine under the spotlight at yet another top-tier competition, this time in Switzerland.

The secondary tournament, a feature of most major indoor competitions, is getting a makeover. The usual (and, let’s be honest, slightly boring) format of four ends of three arrows, with prizes awarded to the top scorers in each category, will no longer be used.

Instead, this year’s Swiss Open will stage a one-arrow shoot-off elimination mini-tournament on Saturday, 31 October. This means that archers who do not make the cut for the main matches will still be able to experience the thrill of elimination competition and compete for prizes.

Barebow, a rapidly growing division, will finally be present at the Swiss Open.

Friday, 30 October will give archers and non-archers alike the chance to enjoy archery in a new way: with Fivics' archery video game participants can challenge one another in a virtual Olympic-style match.

There will also be a new activity before the main competition programme even begins.

On the evening of Thursday, 29 October, participants will be able to get into the competitive spirit with a Round Robin.

Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning as a Swiss Open regular, there are plenty of reasons to look forward to coming to the Olympic Capital.

See you soon in Lausanne!