Shooting League of India postponed again to ‘later this year’
The inaugural edition of the Shooting League of India (SLI) was on Wednesday postponed once again, the National Rifle Association of India announced.
Initially supposed to have commenced last year, the league was first postponed to February 2026. Although there are no revised dates, the NRAI has now said that the event will get underway “later this year.”
“This move is designed to strengthen the league’s long-term positioning, broadcast impact, and overall fan experience. It will also position the league as the ultimate celebration of Indian shooting, capitalising on the massive sporting momentum expected from the major international events in 2026 and beyond,” a statement from the organisers read.
NRAI claims the revised schedule will enable the league to align more closely with the international shooting calendar, as the previously scheduled launch would have preceded the year’s major multi-sport events, including the Asian Games, where Indian shooters are expected to contend for top honours.
With the Aichi-Nagoya Games scheduled to take place between September 19 and October 4, it is being made fairly clear that the league can only become a reality in the last quarter.
NRAI president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo said, “Our priority is to give our athletes the biggest stage possible. By realigning the season, we are creating a dedicated window where the Shooting League of India gets the maximum eyeballs on television. This shift allows us to welcome our shooters back from key events as stars, giving them the spotlight they deserve while ensuring the league product is technically perfect. Also, this additional preparation period enables us to move from alpha testing to broadcast perfection. Our objective is to deliver a flawless, world-class viewer experience from the very first shot,” he added.
The league, initially looking to have eight city-based franchises, came down to seeking six and then four interested parties. With only three sides having come on board in a year of searching, it would seem getting prospective bidders on board has proven to be a tough task. The three sides that are presently a part of the programme are Delhi Knight Warriors, Mumbai X Calibres, and UP Prometheans.
Published on Feb 04, 2026