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Knabenschiessen is a traditional target shooting competition in Zürich, first officially held in 1889 and dating back to the 17th century.
The competition is open to 13- to 17-year-olds living, studying, or completing apprenticeships in the canton of Zurich. Originally limited to boys who were completing a marksmanship course for defence purposes, the event began allowing girls to participate in 1991, coinciding with Switzerland’s 700th anniversary. Knabenschiessen takes place each September and is marked by a local public holiday on Monday, along with a three-day festival featuring food and market stalls, live music, and a fun fair. Although popular in recent decades, the event has experienced occasional cancellations due to war or economic hardship.
The event has occasionally drawn public debate. In 1990, some called for replacing the shooting competition with a broader youth festival. The proposal was narrowly rejected in a 1992 vote, and the traditional format was retained.
As of 2010, approximately 5,000 teenagers took part in the competition each year, aiming to win the title of Schützenkönig or Schützenkönigin. Participants used the Sturmgewehr 90 rifle and were required to shoot under the supervision of trained instructors. The accompanying fair, held on the Albisgütli grounds, attracted up to 300,000 visitors over the course of the event. Winners and finalists have occasionally received prizes such as cash awards and rides in a Super Puma army helicopter.
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