Fasten your seat belt and get ready for the 2026/2027 LaVita IBU World Cup season. In a month’s time, biathlon is finally back, kicking off with the World Cup in Kontiolahti. Thrilling competitions, a breathtaking atmosphere, a massive party: that’s what you can look forward to this season.

Just one more month to go and then the wait will be over: biathlon is finally back. We’re already looking forward to thrilling showdowns at the shooting range, nail-biting battles on the final lap and enthusiastic fans pushing the stars to their limits. The 2026/2027 season is set to be spectacular once again, and that’s exactly what you can look forward to.

Will it be Jeanmonnot and Perrot again, or will someone else be crowned the king or queen of biathlon?

Who will claim the biathlon crown in the 2026/2027 season? Can Lou Jeanmonnot and Eric Perrot triumph once again? Or will Lisa Vittozzi and Sturla Holm Laegreid snatch the big trophy back? Perhaps there’ll be a surprise or two – after all, many athletes have retired in the aftermath of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, so there’ll be room for some new faces. We can’t look into a crystal globe – but one thing is certain: it’s set to be another thrilling season, where every shot counts and seconds decide victory or defeat. And that’s exactly what we want from our favourite sport, isn’t it?

Straight from the New Year’s Eve party to biathlon

After the World Cup in Annecy – Le Grand Bornand, which finishes on 13 December, you’ll still have plenty of time to buy Christmas presents for the whole family before heading straight to Pokljuka after the New Year’s Eve party. So, it’s best not to party too hard, to make sure that you’re fit and ready for the first biathlon races of 2027 on 2 January. But perhaps that’s also a good excuse to get away from the family after the long holidays!

Aperol instead of mulled wine in Oberhof

Get to know Oberhof from a different angle: This season, the World Cup in Oberhof will not take place in January as usual, but in early March. We’re hoping for sunshine, snow and that winter atmosphere – which will be just as fantastic as ever. Philipp Horn has already proclaimed the slogan ‘Aperol instead of mulled wine’ for his hometown. Well, that certainly gets you in the mood.

World Championships, Estonian style

In February, we’re celebrating a first: the first Biathlon World Championships in Estonia – in Otepaa, to be precise. You can be sure there’ll be more fun social media videos in which we ask the biathletes to say words in the local language. Anyone who can’t be there in person can look forward to the TV coverage – the races will be broadcast in over 80 countries. We are already looking forward to exciting races, fiercely contested title battles and delighted medallists.

Photos: IBU Photopool