With 1,350 archers from fifty nations, the 28th edition of the international archery tournament in Nîmes promises to be exceptional, both in terms of its sporting level and its economic impact. From January 16 to 18, this major event on the world calendar will make the city one of the capitals of archery, while generating thousands of overnight stays and several million euros for the local economy.
Always stronger. The 28th edition of the international archery tournament in Nîmes already promises to be historic. From January 16 to 18, no less than 1,350 archers are expected at Parnasse, the exhibition center and the Estanque bowling alley. Organized by the Arc club of Nîmes (ACN), the event sets a new participation record, after a 2025 edition which had already brought together 1,238 competitors.
“When we launched the registrations, we had already registered a thousand after three weeks,” underlines Philippe Michelutti, president of the ACN, to illustrate the growing attractiveness of the tournament.
A meeting designed for the local economy
From the outset, the organizers wanted to place the competition in a logic of economic benefits. “When we decided to start organizing such a meeting, we found out about the hotel occupancy curve in Nîmes. We saw that there was a big dip in January. Even if it means receiving subsidies from communities to organize a competition, as long as there is a return,” explains Olivier Grillat, manager of the Arc club in Nîmes. “At the start, we expected 600 participants”he recalls.
Today they are more than double. Although it remains difficult to precisely assess the economic impact, this tournament constitutes, after the Pentecost feria, the event generating the most benefits for the local economy. By including the guides and players in the archery industry present at the professional show organized on the sidelines of the competition, the organizers estimate the number of nights over the three days to be around 8,000, for an economic windfall estimated at nearly 3 million euros, mainly benefiting the hotel and catering industry.
Added to these benefits is international visibility for the city, with the Sunday finals played at Parnasse being broadcast live on the internet across the world.
A world stage in Nîmes
On a sporting level, the Nîmes tournament is among the world references in indoor archery. Fifty nations, from five continents, will be represented. With the exception of Korean archers, the world elite will be present. “It is, with the Las Vegas tournament, one of the oldest on the calendar”welcomes Philippe Michelutti.
Nîmes has thus established itself as a major stage of the Indoor World Cup, at the same level as Las Vegas, Lausanne, Taipei, Rio de Janeiro and the Mexican city of Mérida. “And it is also the most difficult to win, as the level of qualification is high given the density of champions present,” underlines Olivier Grillat.
The highly anticipated Nîmes internationals
Last year, the Englishwoman Penny Healey and the American Brady Ellison in recurve, as well as the Colombian Alejandra Usquiano and the Austrian Nico Wiener, had their names on the list. They will be serious candidates for their own succession.
On the French side, the Nîmes archers will try to do well, despite the pressure inherent in competitions at home. The internationals Victoria Sebastian, Jean-Charles Valladont and Baptiste Addis will be particularly expected. Last December, Victoria Sebastian won at the Taipei tournament, one of the first major indoor competitions of the season. The two Olympic vice-champions Valladont and Addis took second and third places in the men’s table during this Asian stage.
“Victoria took third place here in Nîmes and second in Las Vegas last season, which puts her level”specifies Olivier Grillat, who will also carefully follow Anaëlle Florent’s performance. Aged 25, licensed by the ACN in recurve bow, the archer chose the compound bow. “In 2028, in mixed doubles, this event will be Olympic at the Los Angeles Games. She is already in the top 3 of the best French women. She has the capabilities to qualify for the Games,” assures the manager.
International tournament in the archery hall from Nîmes to Parnasse, Estanque exhibition center and bowling alley; from January 16 to 18.
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