How does a skeet final work?
B · Beginner · Finals and ties · 4 of 4Eight athletes start from zero and shoot only doubles, on stations 3, 4 and 5. After 12 targets the bottom two are eliminated, after 24 the next two and after 28 one more. The bronze medal is decided after 32 targets, and the last two athletes shoot four more, to 36, for gold and silver.
How it works
| After | Targets shot in that step | Who goes out |
|---|---|---|
| 12 targets | A regular and a reverse double on each of stations 3, 4 and 5 | 7th and 8th |
| 24 targets | The same again | 5th and 6th |
| 28 targets | A regular and a reverse double on station 3 | 4th |
| 32 targets | A regular and a reverse double on station 4 | 3rd, who takes bronze |
| 36 targets | A regular and a reverse double on station 5 | Gold and silver decided |
- Who is in it: the eight highest-ranking athletes from qualification.
- From zero: qualification scores are not carried forward.
- Start numbers: 1 to 8 by qualification ranking, with the best qualifier number 1.
- One shot: one shot at each target, as in qualification.
- Time: 30 seconds on each station after occupying it, on an electronic timer.
- Targets: flash targets that release coloured powder when hit.
- Ties on the way: a tie at any elimination up to and including third place goes to the athlete with the lower start number, the better qualifier.
- A tie for gold: an immediate shoot-off.
- Reporting: finalists report 30 minutes before the start. Reporting late costs two points. An athlete who is not there 15 minutes before does not start and is ranked last.
Tricky cases
Two athletes are level for sixth place when two must go out. Is there a shoot-off?
No. Ties for places three to eight are broken by start number. The athlete who qualified higher stays in.
The last two are level after the final target. Is the better qualifier the champion?
No. A tie for gold and silver goes to an immediate shoot-off, with no test firing and no showing of targets.
Are there single targets in the skeet final?
No. The final is made up of regular and reverse doubles on stations 3, 4 and 5.
A finalist's gun breaks down. Can they get it repaired?
Yes, within limits. The athlete has not more than three minutes to repair it, get another approved shotgun or replace the ammunition. If that cannot be done, the athlete must withdraw and is ranked on the targets hit so far.
Why the rule exists
A final from zero means the medals are decided in front of the crowd and the cameras, and a leader cannot coast on a qualification lead. Steady eliminations keep every step meaningful. The qualification ranking still counts for something, since it breaks ties in the earlier stages.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ISSF rules | As above | ISSF 9.17.2; ISSF 9.17.3; ISSF 9.17.4.2 |
| Mixed team final | Four teams and its own elimination steps | ISSF 9.18.4 |
| Team events of three | No final. The result is the sum of the three individual qualification scores | ISSF 9.19.1; ISSF 9.6.1.3 |
| Earlier editions | Final formats have changed between Olympic cycles. Older broadcasts will not match this page | C |
From the rule book
ISSF Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations, Edition 2025 (second print 07/2026), Shotgun Rules, rules 9.17.1 to 9.17.6. Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISSF Rule Book (PDF).