Archery Australia has won the right to host the 2027 World Archery Para Championships, the first time this event has been held in Australia and a fantastic opportunity for the sport on the road to Brisbane 2032.
The championships will run from 30 August to 6 September 2027 at the Gold Coast Performance Centre, Runaway Bay, with finals to be held at the Broadwater parklands. Athletes will compete across recurve and compound, in the open, W1 and visually impaired categories, with results also counting toward qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, making this one of the most important events on the road to LA28 and, further out, Brisbane 2032. The event will also be showcased worldwide via World Archery’s broadcast partners and digital platforms.
Securing the championships followed a competitive international bidding process. The event is supported by the the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland. The championships are the pinnacle international event for Para athletes and are organised under the guidance of World Archery.
A world stage on home soil
For a sport that has never hosted a major international event of this scale, the championships are a rare chance to put archery, and Para archery in particular, in front of new audiences across the country and overseas. Australian media, tourism and sporting bodies will all have their eyes on the Gold Coast in 2027, and we are looking forward to sharing the sport of archery with our members and the wider community to show what an inclusive and accessible sport it can be with a competitive edge.
The scale of the event underlines just how quickly the sport is growing worldwide. More than 300 athletes from 55 countries are expected on the Gold Coast, well up on the 239 athletes from 47 countries who competed at the last championships, held in Gwangju, South Korea in September 2025, where Australia’s Craig Newbery won bronze in the Visually Impaired 1 category.
World Archery President Greg Easton said the championships would be an important moment for Para archery internationally:
“We are excited to be bringing the World Archery Para Championships to Australia for the first time. Queensland has the experience and ambition to deliver an outstanding event, showcase our sport to new audiences, and build momentum towards LA28 and Brisbane 2032.”
Archery Australia CEO Peter Bromley said:
“Winning the right to host the 2027 World Archery Para Championships on the Gold Coast is a significant achievement for archery in Australia, and a testament to Queensland’s reputation as a world-class host of international sporting events.
We are grateful for the support from the Queensland Government, Paralympics Australia, the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Olympic Committee in helping secure and support the event for Queensland. We look forward to welcoming the global Para archery community to the Gold Coast and delivering a championship that celebrates sporting excellence, inclusion and the Paralympic spirit.”
A boost for clubs and members
Hosting on home soil brings opportunities that do not come around often: volunteering roles at the championships, pathways for officials and coaches to gain international experience, and a natural moment over the next year to introduce new people, including people with disability, to the sport through local clubs.
Para archer Tom Holland, who will compete at the championships as part of his own build up to Brisbane 2032, said a home event gives Australian athletes a genuine advantage heading into LA28:
“I believe the event will provide a great foundation for Para archery in Australia,” Mr Holland said. “As the qualification event for LA28, a home championship with a home crowd and a big team will allow us to establish our position as front and centre at LA28, before continuing this momentum into Brisbane 2032.”
Get involved
With more than a year before the championships begin, Archery Australia will be working with clubs and communities across the country to build interest and be part of the eventahead of 2027. If your club wants to get involved, come along to the event, host a come-and-try day, or find out more about volunteering or pathways for Para athletes, get in touch with Archery Australia.
Key dates
• Championships held: 30 August to 6 September 2027
• Venue: Gold Coast Performance Centre, Runaway Bay, with finals at the Broadwater parklands, Queensland
• Categories: open recurve and compound, W1 and visually impaired
• Qualification event for: Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games
• Expected field: 300+ athletes from 55 countries
