Shooting League of India to debut on Feb 16

The National Rifle Association of India’s long-awaited franchise shooting league is finally becoming a reality. After years of planning and a brief postponement, the inaugural Shooting League of India (SLI) will be held from February 16 to 26, 2026, marking a major step in reshaping the sport’s competitive landscape in the country.

The NRAI confirmed the dates on Wednesday, noting that the schedule has been aligned with the ISSF’s 2026 international calendar to ensure athletes do not face clashes with key global events. Officials said this alignment was essential to secure participation from top shooters across the world.

Designed as a franchise-based, athlete-first league, the SLI will bring together leading Indian and international shooters in a fast-paced, mixed-team format. Competitions span all three major disciplines pistol, rifle and shotgun with events such as 10m and 25m pistol, 10m air rifle, 50m 3-positions rifle, and trap and skeet in shotgun.Over 400 athletes have registered for the inaugural season.Shooters from 21 countries have signed up so far including India, Kazakhstan, Russia, Iran, Hungary, Croatia, Azerbaijan, UK, Australia, Grenada, Italy, Austria, Serbia, USA, Spain, Thailand, Germany, Czech Republic, Norway, San Marino and Romania.

NRAI President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo called the league a “milestone” for Indian shooting, saying it would merge high performance with strong storytelling, premium broadcast quality and global participation. “We’re set to deliver a world-class opening season that welcomes international stars and inspires India’s next generation,” he said.

The league structure features two pools in the opening stage, followed by knockout rounds. Players will be selected through a tiered draft system covering four categories Elite Champions, World Elite, National Champions, and Junior & Youth ensuring every team has a balanced mix of experience, global talent and emerging prospects.

Former world champion Ronjan Sodhi said the shorter formats and mixed-team approach would add excitement. “SLI can turn fine margins into compelling drama. It’s the kind of platform that makes technical excellence a must-watch sport,” he said.

The debut edition aims to elevate shooting’s appeal and give India’s growing talent pool a wider audience and a professional stage.