Medellin, Colombia, has been selected as the host city for the 2027 World Archery Championships, marking the first time this premier international archery event will be held in South America. This decision, announced during World Archery’s executive board meeting in Antalya, Turkey, emphasizes archery’s status as a truly global sport and acknowledges South America’s growing presence in the sport.

Medellin was chosen over bids from Nyborg, Denmark, and Wroclaw, Poland, while a bid from Antalya was withdrawn prior to the decision. Medellin’s bid centered on the Rionegro region, known for its proximity to the airport and plans for a large combination venue with enhanced arena scheduling.

Medellin’s involvement in international archery dates back to 2013, when it first hosted a stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup. Since then, it has been a recurring location in the World Cup circuit and is set to host the Pan American Championships in 2024. The 2027 championships in Medellin will see Colombia join the United States and Mexico as the only countries in the Americas to have hosted the event.

In addition to selecting championship hosts, the World Archery executive board formed a working group to study future tournament formats, sustainability, and financial viability, aligning with the organization’s strategic plan. The board also reaffirmed its commitment to keeping archery independent from politics, following discussions at the recent Olympic Summit.

The meeting included other significant decisions, such as issuing warnings to member associations in Chad, Guinea, and Uzbekistan, prohibiting their participation in international competitions until they regain good standing. Nigeria may face a similar restriction if its situation does not improve by April 1, 2024. Additionally, the Kuwait federation was removed from the list of members at risk of expulsion in 2024, having successfully fulfilled an action plan approved earlier.

The announcement of Medellin as the 2027 World Archery Championships host is a milestone in archery’s expansion and reflects the sport’s growing global reach. The city’s rich history with the sport and its commitment to developing a suitable venue for the championships were key factors in its selection. This event is set to act as a primary qualifier for the LA28 Olympics, further highlighting its significance in the world of archery.

In a significant move to elevate the viewing experience for archery enthusiasts, World Archery has announced the launch of an updated archery+ platform, set to revolutionize how fans access live content from major archery events. The platform’s introduction is timely, coinciding with the qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and other key international events.

Subscribers worldwide (excluding China) can look forward to streaming live content from the Hyundai Archery World Cup, a pivotal event in the archery calendar. In a bid to make this experience more accessible, World Archery is introducing an annual pass priced at 49.99 EUR, with a special introductory offer of 29.99 EUR for the upcoming outdoor season. This pass, available for purchase soon, promises to bring the thrill of archery right to the viewers’ screens.

World Archery also offers single major event passes for those interested in specific events. In a generous move, the federation continues to provide free access to live coverage of world-ranking events, athlete features, and educational content. This commitment extends to the enriching of the platform with an extensive archive over the next 12 months.

Adding to the excitement, streams from the ongoing Indoor Archery World Series, including the Taipei Open with finals streaming on 10 December, will be freely accessible for registered archery+ users. This initiative ensures that fans won’t miss a moment of the action, regardless of their location.

The new subscription offer and platform, powered by Joymo, is not just about streaming live events. It also introduces an innovative ‘coach cam’ feature for Hyundai Archery World Cup events. This feature promises podcast-style commentary from top archers and an exclusive view of competitors on the shooting line, offering a unique perspective rarely seen in sports broadcasting.

Tom Dielen, the secretary general of World Archery, emphasized the partnership’s benefits: “Not only will this partnership make the sport easier to access but also allow us to invest additional resources into live production, engaging series, and exciting new coverage formats.”

In anticipation of the 2024 Olympics, the federation is also set to release two documentaries, including a feature on the formidable Korean recurve women’s team, undefeated at the Games since 1988.

This announcement comes on the heels of World Archery’s first betting deal, signaling the sport’s continuous expansion and its efforts to enhance fan engagement.

In summary, the revamped archery+ platform promises to be a game-changer for archery fans, offering unprecedented access and immersive viewing experiences as the sport marches towards the Paris 2024 Olympics.