FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Rules 2025-2028: What’s New?

2025-2028 Rhythmic Gymnastics Rules: What’s Changed?

As of January 1, 2025, the new FIG rules for rhythmic gymnastics for the 2025-2028 cycle officially come into effect. These updated rules mark important changes for both gymnasts and coaches, who will need to adjust their training and competition strategies to align with the new requirements.

Key Changes in the 2025-2028 Rules:

1. Reduction in the Number of Risks:
   Senior gymnasts will now only need to perform 4 risk elements in their routines, while juniors will perform 3. This reduction reflects a shift towards rewarding higher-quality execution over the sheer quantity of risk elements. This change aims to make performances more consistent and refined.
2. Increased Focus on Artistry:
   The balance between technical difficulty and artistic expression is being carefully adjusted to ensure routines are not only technically challenging but also aesthetically pleasing. The new rules place a stronger emphasis on the beauty and fluidity of movements, which are core to the spirit of rhythmic gymnastics.
3. Changes to Apparatus Difficulty:
   The evaluation and value of apparatus-related elements have been revised. This includes stricter criteria for certain elements and adjustments to the point values assigned to different apparatus skills, ensuring that the difficulty and execution standards remain high.
4. Chronological Evaluation of Elements:
   Routines will continue to be evaluated in the order of the elements performed, but the scoring process for risks and difficulty elements has evolved to improve fairness and precision.

Why the Rules Change Every Cycle:

Every four years, aligned with the Olympic cycle, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) revises the Code of Points for rhythmic gymnastics. These changes are essential for keeping the sport fair and balanced while encouraging innovation. The revisions also ensure that the sport evolves with new trends, challenges, and safety protocols. The 2025-2028 cycle aims to create a better balance between artistry, technical execution, and difficulty, maintaining the excitement and beauty of the sport.

These changes will have a significant impact on how gymnasts train, how coaches design routines, and how competitions are judged. For all rhythmic gymnastics professionals, staying updated on these rule changes is crucial to ensuring competitive success during the next Olympic cycle.