The ISSF had revealed the locations for their events in 2016, 2017 and 2018 at their Executive Committee and Administrative Council’s annual meeting, which was held in the Italian town Lonato during September.

They have now announced that the 2016 World Cup Final for rifle and pistol competitions is set to take place in Bologna from October 4 to 10, making it the first time the Italian city has held an ISSF event in those disciplines.

However,  Bologna previously appeared on the ISSF World Cup calendar in 1988 and 1990 having held shotgun events, but next year’s rifle and pistol finals will be the most high-profile competition they have hosted.

It will also be the first competition for elite level shooters following the Rio 2016 Olympics, with the medallists likely to be on show in the city.

Meanwhile,  the Shotgun World Cup Final is due to be held in the country’s capital city Rome, a candidate city for the 2024 Olympics, between October 11 and 16.

It is set to be the second time that Rome has staged the event having held the Finals in 2003.

Both Munich in Germany and Thailand’s capital city Bangkok have been revealed as locations for World Cup rifle and pistol events, while Cypriot capital Nicosia and San Marino are due to host World Cup shotgun events during the year.

The Spanish city of Granada had also been expected to host a rifle and pistol event, but it has now been moved to Azerbaijan’s capital Baku where it will be incorporated as part of a shotgun World Cup event.

Another combined competition is set to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next year's Olympic host.

Related stories
September 2015: Rome and Bologna to host shooting World Cup Finals in 2016
December 2014: Moscow awarded 2017 ISSF Shotgun World Championships