FIG has annouced two further hosts of World Challenge Cup events ©Getty Images

Mersin and Szombathely have been added to the 2016 International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Challenge Cups calendar for artistic gymnastics.

The FIG Executive Committee opted to include the events on their calendar at their regular meeting in Lausanne in December, taking the number of overall World Cups in the discipline this season to 13.

Mersin will host the penultimate event of the World Challenge Cup season with the competition in the Turkish city, between July 1 and 3, set to provide gymnasts with an opportunity to hone their skills ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Szombathely will bring the circuit to a close as the Hungarian city will stage an event between October 7 and 9.

Azerbaijan’s capital city Baku is due to host the season opening AGF Trophy from February 19 to 21, while the circuit will also visit cities in Britain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Qatar, Slovenia, Portugal and the United States throughout the year.

The Rhythmic World Cup has also been boosted to 10 events after the FIG Executive Committee opted to add Lisbon and Tashkent to the calendar.

Lisbon and Tashkent have been added as Rhythmic World Cup hosts
Lisbon and Tashkent have been added as Rhythmic World Cup hosts ©Getty Images

Competition in Portugal’s capital Lisbon is scheduled to take place from March 17 to 20, with the event set to be the second World Cup of the season.

Tashkent will stage the fourth competition, with the event in Uzbekistan’s capital due to be held between May 13 and 15.

The World Cup is set to visit Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Spain and Russia during the season, which will begin in Espoo, Finland, from February 26 to 28.