The 2026 summer biathlon season officially came to a close with the final IBU Regional Event in Arçon, France, marking the successful conclusion of a series of international competitions across seven regions.

The season also reached an important milestone with the first-ever IBU Regional Event in Oceania, hosted in Australia, Mount Hotham under winter conditions. The event represented an important step in strengthening regional cooperation and supporting the development of biathlon in Oceania.

Strong International Participation at the Final Event

The season's closing event in Arçon brought together more than 400 competitors over two days of racing, including 65 international athletes representing 12 nations. Despite rainy conditions, the athletes delivered exciting competitions and impressive performances, while enthusiastic spectators turned out in large numbers to support them.

Summer Regional Events – Season Recap

The 2026 summer season featured 17 successful IBU Regional Events, attracting a record participation of more than 1,600 youth and junior athletes from 34 nations. The strong international participation highlighted the continued growth of the Regional Events programme and its important role in providing young athletes with valuable competition experience.

Another significant development was the introduction of IBU Qualifying Points (QP) at eligible Summer Regional Events. For the first time, athletes had the opportunity to earn Qualifying Points through these competitions, creating an additional pathway towards participation in higher-level IBU events.

Full results from all Summer Regional Events, including Qualifying Points where applicable, are available in the IBU Datacenter.

The record participation and growing international interest reflect the positive development of summer biathlon. With another successful season completed, the Regional Events programme now looks ahead to the upcoming winter season, continuing to create valuable opportunities for young athletes to compete worldwide.

Winter Regional Events Calendar