Biathlon: the 2025/2026 World Cup kicks off in Östersund
After long months of training, the last few weeks devoted to honing their bodies and minds, and a few preparatory races, the world’s best athletes kick off the 2025/2026 Biathlon World Cup in Östersund (Sweden) this week.
The Swedish National Biathlon Arena, which was absent from last winter’s calendar, has the honour of launching the Olympic season. As has been the case for several seasons now, this first stage will last around ten days, with the first weekend devoted to team events.
On Saturday, gender-specific relays will kick off the hostilities: the women’s relay is scheduled for 13:15, followed by the men’s relay at 16:55. The following day, a mixed single relay will be contested at 2.00 pm, followed by a mixed relay at 4.40 pm.
In the second week, Tuesday (women) and Wednesday (men) will be reserved for the individual races, with the first start at 15:30. The women’s sprint will then take place on Friday at 16:00, followed by the men’s sprint on Saturday at 16:30. Finally, the first pursuits of the winter will take place on Sunday at 1.15pm (women) and 3.20pm (men).
The full programme for the Östersund Biathlon World Cup 🇸🇪
Saturday 29 November
- 1.15pm: Women’s 4×6 km relay
- 4.55pm: Men’s 4×7.5km relay
Sunday 30th November
- 2pm: Mixed singles relay
- 4.40pm: Mixed relay
Tuesday 2nd December
- 15:30: women’s 15 km individual
Wednesday 3rd December
- 15:30: Men’s 20 km individual
Friday 5 December
- 16:00: women’s 7.5 km sprint
Saturday 6 December
- 4.30pm: Men’s 10 km sprint
Sunday 7 December
- 1.15pm: Women’s 10 km pursuit
- 3.20pm: Men’s 12.5km pursuit
- The World Cup is back (very) soon: 10 days to go until the start of the first stage in Östersund
- Canada unveils its selection for the Östersund, Hochfilzen and Grand-Bornand World Cups
- Grete Gaim’s comeback: after the Idre Fjäll races, Estonia unveils its selection for the Östersund World Cup
- Germany announces men’s squad for Östersund World Cup
- With Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen, Marit Oeygard, Johan-Olav Botn and Isak Frey: Norway’s selection for the World Cup in Östersund
- Kazakhstan announce squad for Östersund World Cup
- Ten-man Finnish team led by Suvi Minkkinen for the Östersund and Hochfilzen World Cups
- Natalia Sidorowicz in the lead, Grzegorz Galica must start with the IBU Cup: Poland’s selection for the Östersund World Cup
- Belgium’s team for the Östersund World Cup revealed
- Without Julia Simon, who is suspended: the full French team selection for the Östersund World Cup, the first stage of the Olympic winter season
- The official return of Lisa Vittozzi, Tommaso Giacomel and Dorothea Wierer: Italy’s team for the Östersund World Cup unveiled
- Without Yuliia Dzhima, with Dmytro Pidruchnyi and Vitalii Mandzyn: Ukraine’s selection for the World Cup in Östersund revealed
- Marketa Davidova and Vitezslav Hornig as leaders: the Czech Republic announces its squad for the World Cups in Östersund and Hochfilzen
- Switzerland announces its squad for the Östersund World Cup
- Janina Hettich-Walz qualified for the Östersund World Cup without having to compete in the Ruhpolding selections
- Ten-man squad for the start of the World Cup: Austria announce their line-up for Östersund
- Paulina Batovska Fialkova and Anastasiya Kuzmina selected: Slovakia’s squad for the World Cup in Östersund
- Campbell Wright as leader: the United States announce their selection for the Östersund and Hochfilzen World Cups
